The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning pari-mutuel wagering, particularly for thoroughbred permitholders. It allows these permitholders to opt out of conducting live racing or games while still retaining their permits and licenses, ensuring they remain eligible for a guest track and maintain their status as a pari-mutuel facility. The bill also revises penalties for those who fail to pay taxes on live race handles and eliminates the requirement for reissuing escheated horse permits. Additionally, it updates the requirements for thoroughbred permitholders with slot machine licenses, stating that they are not obligated to conduct a full schedule of live racing to keep their licenses.

Moreover, the bill modifies the renewal process for cardroom licenses for thoroughbred permitholders by removing the previous requirement to conduct at least 90 percent of live performances from the prior fiscal year. Instead, it allows renewal if the applicant has requested a full schedule of live racing in their annual application. It also introduces a mandate for jai alai permitholders to allocate at least 4 percent of their cardroom monthly gross receipts to prize money for their next pari-mutuel meet. Additionally, it stipulates that no cardroom license or renewal will be granted to applicants with quarter horse racing permits unless they have a binding agreement with the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association regarding purse payments for live races. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 881 Filed: 550.09515, 550.3345, 550.475, 550.5251, 550.6335
H 881 c1: 550.054, 550.3345, 550.475, 550.5251, 550.6335
H 881 c2: 550.01215, 550.09515