Florida Legislators Revive Horse Racing Decoupling Bill for 2026

^{Florida Rep. Adam Anderson, the sponsor of a 2026 decoupling proposal that could allow racetracks to offer gambling without needing to offer live horse racing. (Photo: @rep.adamanderson via Instagram)}

Florida legislators will take another crack at decoupling gaming operations from horse racing in 2026, though many in the thoroughbred industry say such a move could have a devastating impact on racing.

The legislation, known as House Bill 881, was filed by Florida Representative Adam Anderson (R-Pinellas County). It mirrors many decoupling bills that died in the state legislature in 2025.

Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs Could Decouple

If passed, the bill would allow the owners of horse tracks to run gambling operations at these venues without also running live horse racing. Currently, associated gambling like slots or poker rooms are only allowed at racetracks that conduct live racing for at least part of the year.

HB 881 would allow Gulfstream Park to operate its slots without racing and permit Tampa Bay Downs to could keep its card room open without hosting a live racing season. In both cases, the venues would be prohibited from announcing plans to end live racing before July 1, 2027, and they would have to give a minimum of three years' notice before doing so.

Gulfstream Park's leadership team is in support of the bill, saying that it would benefit the horse racing industry in Florida as a whole.

“We understand there are differing views, but the reality is that the industry is changing, and together we must evolve with it,” the company said in a statement. “This proposal aims to protect jobs, support livelihoods, and establish a more sustainable path forward for Florida racing. We urge all sides to focus on finding a collective solution rather than defend the status quo.”

The legislation follows a 2021 law that allowed for the decoupling of standardbred racing and jai alai venues. 

While track owners might enjoy the ability to offer gambling even if they find horse racing burdensome or unprofitable, officials in the thoroughbred industry say that such a move would have obvious negative impacts on those involved in the horse trade.

“Nothing like right before Christmas to drop a bill,” Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) CEO Lonny Powell told Thoroughbred Daily News. “A little bit of Scrooge showing up in the Christmas sleigh, but the Scrooge hasn’t made it crash or go off course yet.”

FTBOA, DeSantis Come Out Against Legislation

The failure of the legislature to pass a decoupling bill in 2025 gives the FTBOA some hope of fighting off the legislation again in the coming session, which begins on Jan. 13. In addition, the industry appears to have an ally in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who told horse racing officials that he was against decoupling.

“You can count on me as one that is not going to look favorably on legislation that is going to decimate any of our signature industries,” DeSantis said during a visit to a horse sale in April.

However, DeSantis stopped short of confirming that he would veto the bill. As governor, he previously signed the 2021 legislation that decoupled other venues from their pari-mutuel betting options. 

Still, Powell says that the FTBOA is ready to fight to keep thoroughbred racing alive in well in Florida.

“Looking at the landscape, none of the key players have changed from one session to the next. It’s kind of a mirror-image session. We would work hard to dissipate the same type of results before it’s all said and done,” Powell told TDN. “But in terms of the overall theme of a decoupling bill, we’re ready for it. And one thing about the horse side of it is we’re all jelled on it not being a good thing.”