Published on: March 16, 2026, 02:16h. 

Updated on: March 16, 2026, 02:18h.

• Florida’s decoupling legislation for racetracks falters
• House passed the bill but the Senate shut it down again
• Industry warns about potential job loss and economic downturn

A contentious legislative initiative in Florida aimed at allowing racinos to detach from the requirement of live thoroughbred racing was halted in the state Senate on Friday, despite previously securing approval in the House.

At present, thoroughbred racetracks like Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park are required to fulfill a specific number of races to continue supporting other gambling ventures, such as slots and poker. This bill received support from the Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream Park, aiming for the freedom to operate a casino without the obligation of live racing.

However, Florida’s Legislature concluded its 2026 regular session on Friday without the bill making it through any Senate committees, despite having passed the House with a vote of 77–34 last month.

The legislature is set to reconvene for an extraordinary session in April to finalize the state budget, but decoupling is expected not to feature on the agenda.

The Demise of Harness Racing

Decoupling is seen as contributing to the decline of harness racing in Florida. The state’s last harness track, Pompano Park, owned by Caesars Entertainment, halted live racing in 2022, shortly after legislators permitted tracks to function without conducting races.

The decoupling legislation impacted harness racing, quarter horse racing, and jai alai, with the notable exemption for thoroughbred tracks.

This exemption was primarily influenced by the importance of the thoroughbred breeding industry, which is heavily concentrated in Ocala, as well as the warnings from industry organizations about potential threats to billions of dollars in economic activity and thousands of jobs.

Industry Celebration

Advocates for the thoroughbred industry express their desire to avoid the fate that befell harness and quarter horse racing in Florida. They highlight that the thoroughbred sector generates an estimated $3.2 billion in economic impact and sustains over 33,000 jobs across the state.

“We take pride in the fact that for the second consecutive year, legislation regarding decoupling in the Florida Legislature has been thwarted by our coalition representing owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, sales companies, and the numerous small businesses that form the extensive ecosystem of the Thoroughbred industry,” stated Damon Thayer of the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative.

“We are thankful to lawmakers who recognize the $3.2 billion annual economic influence and the 33,500 jobs at stake in Florida’s horse racing, breeding, and training agribusiness,” he added.

DeSantis’ Opposition

In the previous year, Governor Ron DeSantis declared his opposition to any measures related to decoupling, arguing it would negatively affect the industry to benefit a particular special interest.

Supporters of the proposed bill contend that it would create a more equitable landscape within Florida’s gambling sector by allowing thoroughbred tracks to operate similarly to other pari-mutuel facilities.