Florida Looks at Dog Racing Expansion

21 March 2008

A bill to allow dog race expansion in Florida was unanimously approved by the House Jobs and Entrepreneurial Council last week. If the legislation passes, it could open the way for off-track betting and card rooms at 10 locations throughout the state and give up to $3 million in tax breads to racetrack owners.

The original scope of the bill was to do nothing more than help the Palm Beach Kennel Club compete against Seminole casinos and slot machines in Broward County. Then Council chairman Rep. Ron Reagan amended the legislation in committee to expand tax breaks and Rep. Carloz Lopez Cantera amended it to permit off-track betting parlors.

The bill had been scheduled for a hearing in the Policy and Budget Council this week but was pulled from the agenda.