Gulfstream Park-Backed Decoupling Bill Dies in Florida Senate
Posted on: March 16, 2026, 02:16h.
Last updated on: March 16, 2026, 02:18h.
- Florida decoupling bill allowing racetracks to drop live racing fails
- House approved measure but Florida Senate blocked it again
- Industry warns decoupling threatens billions in economic impact and jobs
A controversial legislative measure in Florida that would have allowed racinos to “decouple” from live thoroughbred racing died in the state Senate Friday, despite earlier sailing through the House.
Currently, the state’s thoroughbred racetracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, must offer a quota of races to operate other gambling activities such as slots or poker. The bill was backed by Gulfstream Park’s owner, the Stronach Group, which ultimately wants the ability to operate a casino at the venue without the less profitable live-racing requirement.
But the Florida Legislature’s 2026 regular session concluded Friday without the bill passing a single Senate committee. In contrast, it was approved in the House by a 77–34 vote last month.
The legislature will meet for an extraordinary session in April to finalize the state budget, but decoupling is unlikely to be on the agenda.
Death of Harness Racing
Decoupling effectively marked the end of harness racing in Florida. The state’s final harness track, Pompano Park, owned by Caesars Entertainment, stopped live racing in 2022, less than a year after lawmakers approved legislation allowing tracks to operate without holding races.
The state’s decoupling law applied to harness racing, quarter horse racing and jai alai, but lawmakers carved out thoroughbred tracks.
The exemption was largely driven by the scale of the thoroughbred breeding industry, concentrated in Ocala, and pressure from industry groups that warned eliminating the racing requirement could threaten billions in economic activity and thousands of jobs.
Industry Jubilation
Supporters of the thoroughbred industry say they want to avoid the fate of harness and quarter horse racing in Florida. They note that the thoroughbred sector contributes an estimated $3.2 billion in economic impact and supports more than 33,000 jobs statewide.
We are proud that, for the second year in a row, decoupling legislation before the Florida Legislature has been defeated by our industry-wide coalition representing owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, sales companies, and the many small businesses that create the Thoroughbred industry’s massive ecosystem,” Damon Thayer of the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative said in a statement.
“We are appreciative of the lawmakers who understand the $3.2 billion annual economic impact and 33,500 jobs at stake in Florida’s horse racing, breeding and training agribusiness,” he added.
DeSantis Opposed
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would not support any measure related to decoupling, arguing it would “harm the industry” for the “benefit of one special interest.”
Supporters of the proposal argue it would “level the playing field” in Florida’s gambling industry by allowing thoroughbred tracks to operate in the same way as other pari-mutuel venues.
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