TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – Legislation that would decouple the on-site casino permit from that of the live racing permit at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and the on-site cardroom permit from the live racing permit at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, passed the state house for the second consecutive session by a 77-34 vote on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. The companion bill in the senate is SB 1564.
Should it pass the senate, it would be devastating to the thoroughbred industry in Marion and Levy Counties.
“As we anticipated prior to the start of this session going all the way back to the summer and fall, virtually imagining last year’s session and that very same juncture, in terms of going to the house floor, we saw the result and anticipated this go around and that was a mirror image of what happened last session,” said Lonny Powell, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association CEO and executive vice president. “It doesn’t mean that you ever like it, it’s situations like that, it’s not a testimony situation when you’re on the floor. They elected to keep it brief and the tone was respectful. The outcome is something that we’re not supportive of, and we haven’t been all these years. We rely on the other two legs of the government stool.”
The majority of the Marion County house delegation opposed HB 881, and voted no. Those representatives included Yvonne Hayes-Hinson (D-Dist. 21), J.J. Grow (R-Dist. 23), Ryan Chamberlin (R-Dist. 24) and Richard Gentry (R-Dist.27).
Hayes-Hinson has been stalwart in her opposition of the bill and channeled on behalf of all of the thoroughbred people not only in the state, but particularly those in Marion County, said Powell.
“We never stop our work until the session is over,” said Powell. “We totally anticipated [the way the vote would go] and it was a replay of last year.”