Florida dog tracks could end live racing

by Zac Anderson
Capitol Comments
© Copyright 2011 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Tuesday Evening, April 26, 2011

Florida may be poised to drastically scale back greyhound racing after the state House of Representatives approved a bill to make the practice optional at current racetracks.

Track owners pushed for the legislation. Many dog tracks now make most of their money off poker rooms and some actually lose money on dog racing. But tracks that want to have poker currently are required to race dogs.

Some legislators worry that if the races stop it would be more difficult to fight the expansion of card rooms to other facilities. The issue split House Republicans Tuesday, with many continuing to argue that ending dog racing would eventually lead to the expansion of card rooms. Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, compared the bill to the opening move in a chess game that ultimately would expand gambling.

“We’re taking away the reason why gaming only exists in a small part of Florida,” Aubuchon said.

But bill sponsor Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, said “nothing in this bill expands gambling in any way.”

“If anything it contracts gambling,” Young added, noting that fewer people would be betting on dog races.

Lawmakers also argued that the bill is an animal rights issue, noting that many greyhounds are abused at dog tacks. The bill passed 86 to 31 with most House Republicans in support. A companion bill is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Budget Committee this week. There are 21 facilities with dog racing permits in Florida. Of those, 16 currently have live races and 14 offer poker, including the dog track in Sarasota.