Quick Links
- General Laws Conversion Table (2024) [PDF]
- Florida Statutes Definitions Index (2024) [PDF]
- Table of Section Changes (2024) [PDF]
- Preface to the Florida Statutes (2024) [PDF]
- Table Tracing Session Laws to Florida Statutes (2024) [PDF]
- Index to Special and Local Laws (1971-2024) [PDF]
- Index to Special and Local Laws (1845-1970) [PDF]
- Statute Search Tips
2017 Florida Statutes
Chapter 550
PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
CHAPTER 550
PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
550.001 Short title.
550.002 Definitions.
550.0115 Permitholder license.
550.01215 License application; periods of operation; bond, conversion of permit.
550.0235 Limitation of civil liability.
550.0251 The powers and duties of the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
550.0351 Charity racing days.
550.0425 Minors attendance at pari-mutuel performances; restrictions.
550.054 Application for permit to conduct pari-mutuel wagering.
550.0555 Greyhound dogracing permits; relocation within a county; conditions.
550.0651 Elections for ratification of permits.
550.0745 Conversion of pari-mutuel permit to summer jai alai permit.
550.0951 Payment of daily license fee and taxes; penalties.
550.09511 Jai alai taxes; abandoned interest in a permit for nonpayment of taxes.
550.09512 Harness horse taxes; abandoned interest in a permit for nonpayment of taxes.
550.09514 Greyhound dogracing taxes; purse requirements.
550.09515 Thoroughbred horse taxes; abandoned interest in a permit for nonpayment of taxes.
550.105 Occupational licenses of racetrack employees; fees; denial, suspension, and revocation of license; penalties and fines.
550.1155 Authority of stewards, judges, panel of judges, or player’s manager to impose penalties against occupational licensees; disposition of funds collected.
550.125 Uniform reporting system; bond requirement.
550.135 Division of moneys derived under this law.
550.155 Pari-mutuel pool within track enclosure; takeouts; breaks; penalty for purchasing part of a pari-mutuel pool for or through another in specified circumstances.
550.1625 Dogracing; taxes.
550.1645 Escheat to state of abandoned interest in or contribution to pari-mutuel pools.
550.1646 Credit for unclaimed property remitted to state.
550.1647 Greyhound permitholders; unclaimed tickets; breaks.
550.1648 Greyhound adoptions.
550.175 Petition for election to revoke permit.
550.1815 Certain persons prohibited from holding racing or jai alai permits; suspension and revocation.
550.235 Conniving to prearrange result of race or jai alai game; using medication or drugs on horse or dog; penalty.
550.24055 Use of controlled substances or alcohol prohibited; testing of certain occupational licensees; penalty; evidence of test or action taken and admissibility for criminal prosecution limited.
550.2415 Racing of animals under certain conditions prohibited; penalties; exceptions.
550.255 Penalty for conducting unauthorized race meeting.
550.2614 Distribution of certain funds to a horsemen’s association.
550.26165 Breeders’ awards.
550.2625 Horseracing; minimum purse requirement, Florida breeders’ and owners’ awards.
550.2633 Horseracing; distribution of abandoned interest in or contributions to pari-mutuel pools.
550.26352 Breeders’ Cup Meet; pools authorized; conflicts; taxes; credits; transmission of races; rules; application.
550.2704 Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet.
550.285 Obtaining feed or other supplies for racehorses or greyhound racing dogs with intent to defraud.
550.334 Quarter horse racing; substitutions.
550.3345 Conversion of quarter horse permit to a limited thoroughbred permit.
550.3355 Harness track licenses for summer quarter horse racing.
550.3551 Transmission of racing and jai alai information; commingling of pari-mutuel pools.
550.3615 Bookmaking on the grounds of a permitholder; penalties; reinstatement; duties of track employees; penalty; exceptions.
550.375 Operation of certain harness tracks.
550.475 Lease of pari-mutuel facilities by pari-mutuel permitholders.
550.495 Totalisator licensing.
550.505 Nonwagering permits.
550.5251 Florida thoroughbred racing; certain permits; operating days.
550.615 Intertrack wagering.
550.625 Intertrack wagering; purses; breeders’ awards.
550.6305 Intertrack wagering; guest track payments; accounting rules.
550.6308 Limited intertrack wagering license.
550.6315 Applicability of s. 565.02(5) to guest tracks.
550.6325 Uncashed tickets and breakage tax.
550.6335 Surcharge.
550.6345 Intertrack wagering; purses when host track is harness racetrack.
550.70 Jai alai general provisions; chief court judges required; extension of time to construct fronton; amateur jai alai contests permitted under certain conditions; playing days’ limitations; locking of pari-mutuel machines.
550.71 Operation of ch. 96-364.
550.901 Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Pari-mutuel Wagering.
550.902 Purposes.
550.903 Definitions; Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Pari-mutuel Wagering.
550.904 Entry into force.
550.905 States eligible to join compact.
550.906 Withdrawal from compact; impact on force and effect.
550.907 Compact committee.
550.908 Powers and duties of compact committee.
550.909 Voting requirements.
550.910 Administration and management.
550.911 Immunity from liability for performance of official responsibilities and duties.
550.912 Rights and responsibilities of each party state.
550.913 Construction and severability.
550.001 Short title.—This chapter may be cited as the “Florida Pari-mutuel Wagering Act.”
History.—s. 2, ch. 92-348.
550.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) “Breaks” means the portion of a pari-mutuel pool which is computed by rounding down to the nearest multiple of 10 cents and is not distributed to the contributors or withheld by the permitholder as takeout.
(2) “Breeders’ and stallions’ awards” means financial incentives paid to encourage the agricultural industry of breeding racehorses in this state.
(3) “Broadcast” means the broadcast, transmission, simulcast, or exhibition in any medium or manner by means that may include, but are not limited to, community antenna systems that receive and retransmit television or radio signals by wire, cable, or otherwise to television or radio sets, and cable origination networks or programmers that transmit programming to community antenna televisions or closed-circuit systems by wire, cable, satellite, or otherwise.
(4) “Contributor” means a person who contributes to a pari-mutuel pool by engaging in any pari-mutuel wager pursuant to this chapter.
(5) “Current meet” or “current race meet” means the conduct of racing or games pursuant to a current year’s operating license issued by the division.
(6) “Department” means the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
(7) “Division” means the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
(8) “Event” means a single contest, race, or game within a performance.
(9) “Exotic pools” means wagering pools, other than the traditional win, place, or show (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) pools, into which a contributor can place a wager on more than one entry or on more than one race or game in the same bet and which includes, but is not limited to, daily doubles, perfectas, quinielas, quiniela daily doubles, exactas, trifectas, and Big Q pools.
(10) “Fronton” means a building or enclosure that contains a playing court with three walls designed and constructed for playing the sport of jai alai or pelota.
(11) “Full schedule of live racing or games” means, for a greyhound or jai alai permitholder, the conduct of a combination of at least 100 live evening or matinee performances during the preceding year; for a permitholder who has a converted permit or filed an application on or before June 1, 1990, for a converted permit, the conduct of a combination of at least 100 live evening and matinee wagering performances during either of the 2 preceding years; for a jai alai permitholder who does not operate slot machines in its pari-mutuel facility, who has conducted at least 100 live performances per year for at least 10 years after December 31, 1992, and whose handle on live jai alai games conducted at its pari-mutuel facility has been less than $4 million per state fiscal year for at least 2 consecutive years after June 30, 1992, the conduct of a combination of at least 40 live evening or matinee performances during the preceding year; for a jai alai permitholder who operates slot machines in its pari-mutuel facility, the conduct of a combination of at least 150 performances during the preceding year; for a harness permitholder, the conduct of at least 100 live regular wagering performances during the preceding year; for a quarter horse permitholder at its facility unless an alternative schedule of at least 20 live regular wagering performances is agreed upon by the permitholder and either the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association or the horsemen’s association representing the majority of the quarter horse owners and trainers at the facility and filed with the division along with its annual date application, in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the conduct of at least 20 regular wagering performances, in the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 fiscal years, the conduct of at least 30 live regular wagering performances, and for every fiscal year after the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the conduct of at least 40 live regular wagering performances; for a quarter horse permitholder leasing another licensed racetrack, the conduct of 160 events at the leased facility; and for a thoroughbred permitholder, the conduct of at least 40 live regular wagering performances during the preceding year. For a permitholder which is restricted by statute to certain operating periods within the year when other members of its same class of permit are authorized to operate throughout the year, the specified number of live performances which constitute a full schedule of live racing or games shall be adjusted pro rata in accordance with the relationship between its authorized operating period and the full calendar year and the resulting specified number of live performances shall constitute the full schedule of live games for such permitholder and all other permitholders of the same class within 100 air miles of such permitholder. A live performance must consist of no fewer than eight races or games conducted live for each of a minimum of three performances each week at the permitholder’s licensed facility under a single admission charge.
(12) “Guest track” means a track or fronton receiving or accepting an intertrack wager.
(13) “Handle” means the aggregate contributions to pari-mutuel pools.
(14) “Harness racing” means a type of horseracing which is limited to standardbred horses using a pacing or trotting gait in which each horse pulls a two-wheeled cart called a sulky guided by a driver.
(15) “Horserace permitholder” means any thoroughbred entity permitted under the provisions of this chapter to conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing; any harness entity permitted under this chapter to conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of harness racing; or any quarter horse entity permitted under this chapter to conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing.
(16) “Host track” means a track or fronton conducting a live or simulcast race or game that is the subject of an intertrack wager.
(17) “Intertrack wager” means a particular form of pari-mutuel wagering in which wagers are accepted at a permitted, in-state track, fronton, or pari-mutuel facility on a race or game transmitted from and performed live at, or simulcast signal rebroadcast from, another in-state pari-mutuel facility.
(18) “Jai alai” or “pelota” means a ball game of Spanish origin played on a court with three walls.
(19) “Market area” means an area within 25 miles of a permitholder’s track or fronton.
(20) “Meet” or “meeting” means the conduct of live racing or jai alai for any stake, purse, prize, or premium.
(21) “Operating day” means a continuous period of 24 hours starting with the beginning of the first performance of a race or game, even though the operating day may start during one calendar day and extend past midnight except that no greyhound race or jai alai game may commence after 1:30 a.m.
(22) “Pari-mutuel” means a system of betting on races or games in which the winners divide the total amount bet, after deducting management expenses and taxes, in proportion to the sums they have wagered individually and with regard to the odds assigned to particular outcomes.
(23) “Pari-mutuel facility” means a racetrack, fronton, or other facility used by a permitholder for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering.
(24) “Pari-mutuel wagering pool” means the total amount wagered on a race or game for a single possible result.
(25) “Performance” means a series of events, races, or games performed consecutively under a single admission charge.
(26) “Post time” means the time set for the arrival at the starting point of the horses or greyhounds in a race or the beginning of a game in jai alai.
(27) “Purse” means the cash portion of the prize for which a race or game is contested.
(28) “Quarter horse” means a breed of horse developed in the western United States which is capable of high speed for a short distance and used in quarter horse racing registered with the American Quarter Horse Association.
(29) “Racing greyhound” means a greyhound that is or was used, or is being bred, raised, or trained to be used, in racing at a pari-mutuel facility and is registered with the National Greyhound Association.
(30) “Regular wagering” means contributions to pari-mutuel pools involving wagering on a single entry in a single race, or a single jai alai player or team in a single game, such as the win pool, the place pool, or the show pool.
(31) “Same class of races, games, or permit” means, with respect to a jai alai permitholder, jai alai games or other jai alai permitholders; with respect to a greyhound permitholder, greyhound races or other greyhound permitholders; with respect to a thoroughbred permitholder, thoroughbred races or other thoroughbred permitholders; with respect to a harness permitholder, harness races or other harness permitholders; with respect to a quarter horse permitholder, quarter horse races or other quarter horse permitholders.
(32) “Simulcasting” means broadcasting events occurring live at an in-state location to an out-of-state location, or receiving at an in-state location events occurring live at an out-of-state location, by the transmittal, retransmittal, reception, and rebroadcast of television or radio signals by wire, cable, satellite, microwave, or other electrical or electronic means for receiving or rebroadcasting the events.
(33) “Standardbred horse” means a pacing or trotting horse that is used in harness racing and that has been registered as a standardbred by the United States Trotting Association or by a foreign registry whose stud book is recognized by the United States Trotting Association.
(34) “Takeout” means the percentage of the pari-mutuel pools deducted by the permitholder prior to the distribution of the pool.
(35) “Thoroughbred” means a purebred horse whose ancestry can be traced back to one of three foundation sires and whose pedigree is registered in the American Stud Book or in a foreign stud book that is recognized by the Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee.
(36) “Totalisator” means the computer system used to accumulate wagers, record sales, calculate payoffs, and display wagering data on a display device that is located at a pari-mutuel facility.
(37) “Ultimate equitable owner” means a natural person who, directly or indirectly, owns or controls 5 percent or more of an ownership interest in a corporation, foreign corporation, or alien business organization, regardless of whether such person owns or controls such ownership through one or more natural persons or one or more proxies, powers of attorney, nominees, corporations, associations, partnerships, trusts, joint stock companies, or other entities or devices, or any combination thereof.
(38) “Year,” for purposes of determining a full schedule of live racing, means the state fiscal year.
(39) “Net pool pricing” means a method of calculating prices awarded to winning wagers relative to the contribution, net of takeouts, to a pool by each participating jurisdiction or, as applicable, site.
History.—s. 3, ch. 92-348; s. 206, ch. 94-218; s. 1, ch. 94-328; s. 1, ch. 95-390; s. 1, ch. 96-364; s. 21, ch. 2000-354; s. 1, ch. 2005-288; s. 4, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.0115 Permitholder license.—After a permit has been issued by the division, and after the permit has been approved by election, the division shall issue to the permitholder an annual license to conduct pari-mutuel operations at the location specified in the permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
History.—s. 4, ch. 92-348.
550.01215 License application; periods of operation; bond, conversion of permit.—
(1) Each permitholder shall annually, during the period between December 15 and January 4, file in writing with the division its application for a license to conduct performances during the next state fiscal year. Each application shall specify the number, dates, and starting times of all performances which the permitholder intends to conduct. It shall also specify which performances will be conducted as charity or scholarship performances. In addition, each application for a license shall include, for each permitholder which elects to operate a cardroom, the dates and periods of operation the permitholder intends to operate the cardroom or, for each thoroughbred permitholder which elects to receive or rebroadcast out-of-state races after 7 p.m., the dates for all performances which the permitholder intends to conduct. Permitholders shall be entitled to amend their applications through February 28.
(2) After the first license has been issued to a permitholder, all subsequent annual applications for a license shall be accompanied by proof, in such form as the division may by rule require, that the permitholder continues to possess the qualifications prescribed by this chapter, and that the permit has not been disapproved at a later election.
(3) The division shall issue each license no later than March 15. Each permitholder shall operate all performances at the date and time specified on its license. The division shall have the authority to approve minor changes in racing dates after a license has been issued. The division may approve changes in racing dates after a license has been issued when there is no objection from any operating permitholder located within 50 miles of the permitholder requesting the changes in operating dates. In the event of an objection, the division shall approve or disapprove the change in operating dates based upon the impact on operating permitholders located within 50 miles of the permitholder requesting the change in operating dates. In making the determination to change racing dates, the division shall take into consideration the impact of such changes on state revenues.
(4) In the event that a permitholder fails to operate all performances specified on its license at the date and time specified, the division shall hold a hearing to determine whether to fine or suspend the permitholder’s license, unless such failure was the direct result of fire, strike, war, or other disaster or event beyond the ability of the permitholder to control. Financial hardship to the permitholder shall not, in and of itself, constitute just cause for failure to operate all performances on the dates and at the times specified.
(5) In the event that performances licensed to be operated by a permitholder are vacated, abandoned, or will not be used for any reason, any permitholder shall be entitled, pursuant to rules adopted by the division, to apply to conduct performances on the dates for which the performances have been abandoned. The division shall issue an amended license for all such replacement performances which have been requested in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and division rules.
(6) Any permit which was converted from a jai alai permit to a greyhound permit may be converted to a jai alai permit at any time if the permitholder never conducted greyhound racing or if the permitholder has not conducted greyhound racing for a period of 12 consecutive months.
History.—s. 5, ch. 92-348; s. 2, ch. 95-390; ss. 2, 16, ch. 96-364; s. 27, ch. 97-94; s. 1, ch. 98-190; s. 1, ch. 98-401; s. 73, ch. 2000-158; s. 4, ch. 2000-354; s. 5, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.0235 Limitation of civil liability.—No permittee conducting a racing meet pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; no division director or employee of the division; and no steward, judge, or other person appointed to act pursuant to this chapter shall be held liable to any person, partnership, association, corporation, or other business entity for any cause whatsoever arising out of, or from, the performance by such permittee, director, employee, steward, judge, or other person of her or his duties and the exercise of her or his discretion with respect to the implementation and enforcement of the statutes and rules governing the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering, so long as she or he acted in good faith. This section shall not limit liability in any situation in which the negligent maintenance of the premises or the negligent conduct of a race contributed to an accident; nor shall it limit any contractual liability.
History.—s. 8, ch. 92-348; s. 782, ch. 97-103.
550.0251 The powers and duties of the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.—The division shall administer this chapter and regulate the pari-mutuel industry under this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, and:
(1) The division shall make an annual report to the Governor showing its own actions, receipts derived under the provisions of this chapter, the practical effects of the application of this chapter, and any suggestions it may approve for the more effectual accomplishments of the purposes of this chapter.
(2) The division shall require an oath on application documents as required by rule, which oath must state that the information contained in the document is true and complete.
(3) The division shall adopt reasonable rules for the control, supervision, and direction of all applicants, permittees, and licensees and for the holding, conducting, and operating of all racetracks, race meets, and races held in this state. Such rules must be uniform in their application and effect, and the duty of exercising this control and power is made mandatory upon the division.
(4) The division may take testimony concerning any matter within its jurisdiction and issue summons and subpoenas for any witness and subpoenas duces tecum in connection with any matter within the jurisdiction of the division under its seal and signed by the director.
(5) The division may adopt rules establishing procedures for testing occupational licenseholders officiating at or participating in any race or game at any pari-mutuel facility under the jurisdiction of the division for a controlled substance or alcohol and may prescribe procedural matters not in conflict with s. 120.80(4)(a).
(6) In addition to the power to exclude certain persons from any pari-mutuel facility in this state, the division may exclude any person from any and all pari-mutuel facilities in this state for conduct that would constitute, if the person were a licensee, a violation of this chapter or the rules of the division. The division may exclude from any pari-mutuel facility within this state any person who has been ejected from a pari-mutuel facility in this state or who has been excluded from any pari-mutuel facility in another state by the governmental department, agency, commission, or authority exercising regulatory jurisdiction over pari-mutuel facilities in such other state. The division may authorize any person who has been ejected or excluded from pari-mutuel facilities in this state or another state to attend the pari-mutuel facilities in this state upon a finding that the attendance of such person at pari-mutuel facilities would not be adverse to the public interest or to the integrity of the sport or industry; however, this subsection shall not be construed to abrogate the common-law right of a pari-mutuel permitholder to exclude absolutely a patron in this state.
(7) The division may oversee the making of, and distribution from, all pari-mutuel pools.
(8) The department may collect taxes and require compliance with reporting requirements for financial information as authorized by this chapter. In addition, the secretary of the department may require permitholders conducting pari-mutuel operations within the state to remit taxes, including fees, by electronic funds transfer if the taxes and fees amounted to $50,000 or more in the prior reporting year.
(9) The division may conduct investigations in enforcing this chapter, except that all information obtained pursuant to an investigation by the division for an alleged violation of this chapter or rules of the division is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and from s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until an administrative complaint is issued or the investigation is closed or ceases to be active. This subsection does not prohibit the division from providing such information to any law enforcement agency or to any other regulatory agency. For the purposes of this subsection, an investigation is considered to be active while it is being conducted with reasonable dispatch and with a reasonable, good faith belief that it could lead to an administrative, civil, or criminal action by the division or another administrative or law enforcement agency. Except for active criminal intelligence or criminal investigative information, as defined in s. 119.011, and any other information that, if disclosed, would jeopardize the safety of an individual, all information, records, and transcriptions become public when the investigation is closed or ceases to be active.
(10) The division may impose an administrative fine for a violation under this chapter of not more than $1,000 for each count or separate offense, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and may suspend or revoke a permit, a pari-mutuel license, or an occupational license for a violation under this chapter. All fines imposed and collected under this subsection must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
(11) The division shall supervise and regulate the welfare of racing animals at pari-mutuel facilities.
(12) The division shall have full authority and power to make, adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to cardroom operations, to enforce and to carry out the provisions of s. 849.086, and to regulate the authorized cardroom activities in the state.
(13) The division shall have the authority to suspend a permitholder’s permit or license, if such permitholder is operating a cardroom facility and such permitholder’s cardroom license has been suspended or revoked pursuant to s. 849.086.
History.—s. 7, ch. 92-348; s. 207, ch. 94-218; s. 1, ch. 95-204; s. 3, ch. 95-390; s. 21, ch. 96-364; s. 343, ch. 96-406; s. 248, ch. 96-410; s. 652, ch. 2003-261; s. 105, ch. 2005-2.
550.0351 Charity racing days.—
(1) The division shall, upon the request of a permitholder, authorize each horseracing permitholder, dogracing permitholder, and jai alai permitholder up to five charity or scholarship days in addition to the regular racing days authorized by law.
(2) The proceeds of charity performances shall be paid to qualified beneficiaries selected by the permitholders from an authorized list of charities on file with the division. Eligible charities include any charity that provides evidence of compliance with the provisions of chapter 496 and evidence of possession of a valid exemption from federal taxation issued by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, the authorized list must include the Racing Scholarship Trust Fund, the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund, major state and private institutions of higher learning, and Florida community colleges.
(3) The permitholder shall, within 120 days after the conclusion of its fiscal year, pay to the authorized charities the total of all profits derived from the operation of the charity day performances conducted. If charity days are operated on behalf of another permitholder pursuant to law, the permitholder entitled to distribute the proceeds shall distribute the proceeds to charity within 30 days after the actual receipt of the proceeds.
(4) The total of all profits derived from the conduct of a charity day performance must include all revenues derived from the conduct of that racing performance, including all state taxes that would otherwise be due to the state, except that the daily license fee as provided in s. 550.0951(1) and the breaks for the promotional trust funds as provided in s. 550.2625(3), (4), (5), (7), and (8) shall be paid to the division. All other revenues from the charity racing performance, including the commissions, breaks, and admissions and the revenues from parking, programs, and concessions, shall be included in the total of all profits.
(5) In determining profit, the permitholder may elect to distribute as proceeds only the amount equal to the state tax that would otherwise be paid to the state if the charity day were conducted as a regular or matinee performance.
(6)(a) The division shall authorize one additional scholarship day for horseracing in addition to the regular racing days authorized by law and any additional days authorized by this section, to be conducted at all horse racetracks located in Hillsborough County. The permitholder shall conduct a full schedule of racing on the scholarship day.
(b) The funds derived from the operation of the additional scholarship day shall be allocated as provided in this section and paid to Pasco-Hernando Community College.
(c) When a charity or scholarship performance is conducted as a matinee performance, the division may authorize the permitholder to conduct the evening performances of that operation day as a regular performance in addition to the regular operating days authorized by law.
(7) In addition to the charity days authorized by this section, any dogracing permitholder may allow its facility to be used for conducting “hound dog derbies” or “mutt derbies” on any day during each racing season by any charitable, civic, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of conducting “hound dog derbies” or “mutt derbies” if only dogs other than those usually used in dogracing (greyhounds) are permitted to race and if adults and minors are allowed to participate as dog owners or spectators. During these racing events, betting, gambling, and the sale or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
(8) In addition to the eligible charities that meet the criteria set forth in this section, a jai alai permitholder is authorized to conduct two additional charity performances each fiscal year for a fund to benefit retired jai alai players. This performance shall be known as the “Retired Jai Alai Players Charity Day.” The administration of this fund shall be determined by rule by the division.
History.—s. 9, ch. 92-348; s. 3, ch. 96-364; s. 12, ch. 96-418; s. 24, ch. 2000-157; s. 22, ch. 2000-354; s. 21, ch. 2006-79.
550.0425 Minors attendance at pari-mutuel performances; restrictions.—
(1) A minor, when accompanied by one or both parents or by her or his legal guardian, may attend pari-mutuel performances, under the conditions and at the times specified by each permitholder conducting the pari-mutuel performance.
(2) A person under the age of 18 may not place a wager at any pari-mutuel performance.
(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), minors may be employed at a pari-mutuel facility except in positions directly involving wagering or alcoholic beverages or except as otherwise prohibited by law.
(4) Minor children of licensed greyhound trainers, kennel operators, or other licensed persons employed in the kennel compound areas may be granted access to kennel compound areas without being licensed, provided they are in no way employed unless properly licensed, and only when under the direct supervision of one of their parents or legal guardian.
History.—s. 10, ch. 92-348; s. 783, ch. 97-103.
550.054 Application for permit to conduct pari-mutuel wagering.—
(1) Any person who possesses the qualifications prescribed in this chapter may apply to the division for a permit to conduct pari-mutuel operations under this chapter. Applications for a pari-mutuel permit are exempt from the 90-day licensing requirement of s. 120.60. Within 120 days after receipt of a complete application, the division shall grant or deny the permit. A completed application that is not acted upon within 120 days after receipt is deemed approved, and the division shall grant the permit.
(2) Upon each application filed and approved, a permit shall be issued to the applicant setting forth the name of the permitholder, the location of the pari-mutuel facility, the type of pari-mutuel activity desired to be conducted, and a statement showing qualifications of the applicant to conduct pari-mutuel performances under this chapter; however, a permit is ineffectual to authorize any pari-mutuel performances until approved by a majority of the electors participating in a ratification election in the county in which the applicant proposes to conduct pari-mutuel wagering activities. In addition, an application may not be considered, nor may a permit be issued by the division or be voted upon in any county, to conduct horseraces, harness horse races, or dograces at a location within 100 miles of an existing pari-mutuel facility, or for jai alai within 50 miles of an existing pari-mutuel facility; this distance shall be measured on a straight line from the nearest property line of one pari-mutuel facility to the nearest property line of the other facility.
(3) The division shall require that each applicant submit an application setting forth:
(a) The full name of the applicant.
(b) If a corporation, the name of the state in which incorporated and the names and addresses of the officers, directors, and shareholders holding 5 percent or more equity or, if a business entity other than a corporation, the names and addresses of the principals, partners, or shareholders holding 5 percent or more equity.
(c) The names and addresses of the ultimate equitable owners for a corporation or other business entity, if different from those provided under paragraph (b), unless the securities of the corporation or entity are registered pursuant to s. 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. ss. 78a-78kk; and if such corporation or entity files with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission the reports required by s. 13 of that act or if the securities of the corporation or entity are regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States.
(d) The exact location where the applicant will conduct pari-mutuel performances.
(e) Whether the pari-mutuel facility is owned or leased and, if leased, the name and residence of the fee owner or, if a corporation, the names and addresses of the directors and stockholders thereof. However, this chapter does not prevent a person from applying to the division for a permit to conduct pari-mutuel operations, regardless of whether the pari-mutuel facility has been constructed or not, and having an election held in any county at the same time that elections are held for the ratification of any permit in that county.
(f) A statement of the assets and liabilities of the applicant.
(g) The names and addresses of any mortgagee of any pari-mutuel facility and any financial agreement between the parties. The division may require the names and addresses of the officers and directors of the mortgagee, and of those stockholders who hold more than 10 percent of the stock of the mortgagee.
(h) A business plan for the first year of operation.
(i) For each individual listed in the application as an owner, partner, officer, or director, a complete set of fingerprints that has been taken by an authorized law enforcement officer. These sets of fingerprints must be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for processing. Applicants who are foreign nationals shall submit such documents as necessary to allow the division to conduct criminal history records checks in the applicant’s home country. The applicant must pay the cost of processing. The division may charge a $2 handling fee for each set of fingerprint records.
(j) The type of pari-mutuel activity to be conducted and the desired period of operation.
(k) Other information the division requires.
(4) The division shall require each applicant to deposit with the board of county commissioners of the county in which the election is to be held, a sufficient sum, in currency or by check certified by a bank licensed to do business in the state to pay the expenses of holding the election provided in s. 550.0651.
(5) Upon receiving an application and any amendments properly made thereto, the division shall further investigate the matters contained in the application. If the applicant meets all requirements, conditions, and qualifications set forth in this chapter and the rules of the division, the division shall grant the permit.
(6) After initial approval of the permit and the source of financing, the terms and parties of any subsequent refinancing must be disclosed by the applicant or the permitholder to the division.
(7) If the division refuses to grant the permit, the money deposited with the board of county commissioners for holding the election must be refunded to the applicant. If the division grants the permit applied for, the board of county commissioners shall order an election in the county to decide whether the permit will be approved, as provided in s. 550.0651.
(8)(a) The division may charge the applicant for reasonable, anticipated costs incurred by the division in determining the eligibility of any person or entity specified in s. 550.1815(1)(a) to hold any pari-mutuel permit, against such person or entity.
(b) The division may, by rule, determine the manner of paying its anticipated costs associated with determination of eligibility and the procedure for filing applications for determination of eligibility.
(c) The division shall furnish to the applicant an itemized statement of actual costs incurred during the investigation to determine eligibility.
(d) If unused funds remain at the conclusion of such investigation, they must be returned to the applicant within 60 days after the determination of eligibility has been made.
(e) If the actual costs of investigation exceed anticipated costs, the division shall assess the applicant the amount necessary to recover all actual costs.
(9)(a) After a permit has been granted by the division and has been ratified and approved by the majority of the electors participating in the election in the county designated in the permit, the division shall grant to the lawful permitholder, subject to the conditions of this chapter, a license to conduct pari-mutuel operations under this chapter, and, except as provided in s. 550.5251, the division shall fix annually the time, place, and number of days during which pari-mutuel operations may be conducted by the permitholder at the location fixed in the permit and ratified in the election. After the first license has been issued to the holder of a ratified permit for racing in any county, all subsequent annual applications for a license by that permitholder must be accompanied by proof, in such form as the division requires, that the ratified permitholder still possesses all the qualifications prescribed by this chapter and that the permit has not been recalled at a later election held in the county.
(b) The division may revoke or suspend any permit or license issued under this chapter upon the willful violation by the permitholder or licensee of any provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted under this chapter. In lieu of suspending or revoking a permit or license, the division may impose a civil penalty against the permitholder or licensee for a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted by the division. The penalty so imposed may not exceed $1,000 for each count or separate offense. All penalties imposed and collected must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
(10) If a permitholder has failed to complete construction of at least 50 percent of the facilities necessary to conduct pari-mutuel operations within 12 months after approval by the voters of the permit, the division shall revoke the permit upon adequate notice to the permitholder. However, the division, upon good cause shown by the permitholder, may grant one extension of up to 12 months.
(11)(a) A permit granted under this chapter may not be transferred or assigned except upon written approval by the division pursuant to s. 550.1815, except that the holder of any permit that has been converted to a jai alai permit may lease or build anywhere within the county in which its permit is located.
(b) If a permit to conduct pari-mutuel wagering is held by a corporation or business entity other than an individual, the transfer of 10 percent or more of the stock or other evidence of ownership or equity in the permitholder may not be made without the prior approval of the transferee by the division pursuant to s. 550.1815.
(12) Changes in ownership or interest of a pari-mutuel permit of 5 percent or more of the stock or other evidence of ownership or equity in the permitholder shall be approved by the division prior to such change, unless the owner is an existing owner of that permit who was previously approved by the division. Changes in ownership or interest of a pari-mutuel permit of less than 5 percent shall be reported to the division within 20 days of the change. The division may then conduct an investigation to ensure that the permit is properly updated to show the change in ownership or interest.
(13)(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter, no thoroughbred horse racing permit or license issued under this chapter shall be transferred, or reissued when such reissuance is in the nature of a transfer so as to permit or authorize a licensee to change the location of a thoroughbred horse racetrack except upon proof in such form as the division may prescribe that a referendum election has been held:
1. If the proposed new location is within the same county as the already licensed location, in the county where the licensee desires to conduct the race meeting and that a majority of the electors voting on that question in such election voted in favor of the transfer of such license.
2. If the proposed new location is not within the same county as the already licensed location, in the county where the licensee desires to conduct the race meeting and in the county where the licensee is already licensed to conduct the race meeting and that a majority of the electors voting on that question in each such election voted in favor of the transfer of such license.
(b) Each referendum held under the provisions of this subsection shall be held in accordance with the electoral procedures for ratification of permits, as provided in s. 550.0651. The expense of each such referendum shall be borne by the licensee requesting the transfer.
(14)(a) Any holder of a permit to conduct jai alai may apply to the division to convert such permit to a permit to conduct greyhound racing in lieu of jai alai if:
1. Such permit is located in a county in which the division has issued only two pari-mutuel permits pursuant to this section;
2. Such permit was not previously converted from any other class of permit; and
3. The holder of the permit has not conducted jai alai games during a period of 10 years immediately preceding his or her application for conversion under this subsection.
(b) The division, upon application from the holder of a jai alai permit meeting all conditions of this section, shall convert the permit and shall issue to the permitholder a permit to conduct greyhound racing. A permitholder of a permit converted under this section shall be required to apply for and conduct a full schedule of live racing each fiscal year to be eligible for any tax credit provided by this chapter. The holder of a permit converted pursuant to this subsection or any holder of a permit to conduct greyhound racing located in a county in which it is the only permit issued pursuant to this section who operates at a leased facility pursuant to s. 550.475 may move the location for which the permit has been issued to another location within a 30-mile radius of the location fixed in the permit issued in that county, provided the move does not cross the county boundary and such location is approved under the zoning regulations of the county or municipality in which the permit is located, and upon such relocation may use the permit for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering and the operation of a cardroom. The provisions of s. 550.6305(9)(d) and (f) shall apply to any permit converted under this subsection and shall continue to apply to any permit which was previously included under and subject to such provisions before a conversion pursuant to this section occurred.
History.—s. 11, ch. 92-348; s. 4, ch. 95-390; s. 27, ch. 97-98; s. 653, ch. 2003-261; s. 6, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.0555 Greyhound dogracing permits; relocation within a county; conditions.—
(1) It is the finding of the Legislature that pari-mutuel wagering on greyhound dogracing provides substantial revenues to the state. It is the further finding that, in some cases, this revenue-producing ability is hindered due to the lack of provisions allowing the relocation of existing dogracing operations. It is therefore declared that state revenues derived from greyhound dogracing will continue to be jeopardized if provisions allowing the relocation of such greyhound racing permits are not implemented. This enactment is made pursuant to, and for the purpose of, implementing such provisions.
(2) Any holder of a valid outstanding permit for greyhound dogracing in a county in which there is only one dogracing permit issued, as well as any holder of a valid outstanding permit for jai alai in a county where only one jai alai permit is issued, is authorized, without the necessity of an additional county referendum required under s. 550.0651, to move the location for which the permit has been issued to another location within a 30-mile radius of the location fixed in the permit issued in that county, provided the move does not cross the county boundary, that such relocation is approved under the zoning regulations of the county or municipality in which the permit is to be located as a planned development use, consistent with the comprehensive plan, and that such move is approved by the department after it is determined at a proceeding pursuant to chapter 120 in the county affected that the move is necessary to ensure the revenue-producing capability of the permittee without deteriorating the revenue-producing capability of any other pari-mutuel permittee within 50 miles; the distance shall be measured on a straight line from the nearest property line of one racing plant or jai alai fronton to the nearest property line of the other.
History.—s. 12, ch. 92-348; s. 14, ch. 2000-354.
550.0651 Elections for ratification of permits.—
(1) The holder of any permit may have submitted to the electors of the county designated therein the question whether or not such permit will be ratified or rejected. Such questions shall be submitted to the electors for approval or rejection at a special election to be called for that purpose only. The board of county commissioners of the county designated, upon the presentation to such board at a regular or special meeting of a written application, accompanied by a certified copy of the permit granted by the division, and asking for an election in the county in which the application was made, shall order a special election in the county for the particular purpose of deciding whether such permit shall be approved and license issued and race meetings permitted in such county by such permittee and shall cause the clerk of such board to give notice of the special election by publishing the same once each week for 2 consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the county. Each permit covering each track must be voted upon separately and in separate elections, and an election may not be called more often than once every 2 years for the ratification of any permit covering the same track.
(2) All elections ordered under this chapter must be held within 90 days and not less than 21 days after the time of presenting such application to the board of county commissioners, and the inspectors of election shall be appointed and qualified as in cases of general elections, and they shall count the votes cast and make due returns of same to the board of county commissioners without delay. The board of county commissioners shall canvass the returns, declare the results, and cause the same to be recorded as provided in the general law concerning elections so far as applicable.
(3) When a permit has been granted by the division and no application to the board of county commissioners has been made by the permittee within 6 months after the granting of the permit, the permit becomes void. The division shall cancel the permit without notice to the permitholder, and the board of county commissioners holding the deposit for the election shall refund the deposit to the permitholder upon being notified by the division that the permit has become void and has been canceled.
(4) All electors duly registered and qualified to vote at the last preceding general election held in such county are qualified electors for such election, and in addition thereto the registration books for such county shall be opened on the 10th day (if the 10th day is a Sunday or a holiday, then on the next day not a Sunday or holiday) after such election is ordered and called and must remain open for a period of 10 days for additional registrations of persons qualified for registration but not already registered. Electors for such special election have the same qualifications for and prerequisites to voting in elections as under the general election laws.
(5) If at any such special election the majority of the electors voting on the question of ratification or rejection of any permit vote against such ratification, such permit is void. If a majority of the electors voting on the question of ratification or rejection of any permit vote for such ratification, such permit becomes effectual and the holder thereof may conduct racing upon complying with the other provisions of this chapter. The board of county commissioners shall immediately certify the results of the election to the division.
History.—s. 13, ch. 92-348.
550.0745 Conversion of pari-mutuel permit to summer jai alai permit.—
(1) The owner or operator of a pari-mutuel permit who is authorized by the division to conduct pari-mutuel pools on exhibition sports in any county having five or more such pari-mutuel permits and whose mutuel play from the operation of such pari-mutuel pools for the 2 consecutive years next prior to filing an application under this section has had the smallest play or total pool within the county may apply to the division to convert its permit to a permit to conduct a summer jai alai fronton in such county during the summer season commencing on May 1 and ending on November 30 of each year on such dates as may be selected by such permittee for the same number of days and performances as are allowed and granted to winter jai alai frontons within such county. If a permittee who is eligible under this section to convert a permit declines to convert, a new permit is hereby made available in that permittee’s county to conduct summer jai alai games as provided by this section, notwithstanding mileage and permit ratification requirements. If a permittee converts a quarter horse permit pursuant to this section, nothing in this section prohibits the permittee from obtaining another quarter horse permit. Such permittee shall pay the same taxes as are fixed and required to be paid from the pari-mutuel pools of winter jai alai permittees and is bound by all of the rules and provisions of this chapter which apply to the operation of winter jai alai frontons. Such permittee shall only be permitted to operate a jai alai fronton after its application has been submitted to the division and its license has been issued pursuant to the application. The license is renewable from year to year as provided by law.
(2) Such permittee is entitled to the issuance of a license for the operation of a jai alai fronton during the summer season as fixed in this section. A permittee granted a license under this section may not conduct pari-mutuel pools during the summer season except at a jai alai fronton as provided in this section. Such license authorizes the permittee to operate at any jai alai permittee’s plant it may lease or build within such county.
(3) Such license for the operation of a jai alai fronton shall never be permitted to be operated during the jai alai winter season; and neither the jai alai winter licensee or the jai alai summer licensee shall be permitted to operate on the same days or in competition with each other. This section does not prevent the summer jai alai permittee from leasing the facilities of the winter jai alai permittee for the operation of the summer meet.
(4) The provisions of this chapter which prohibit the location and operation of jai alai frontons within a specified distance from the location of another jai alai fronton or other permittee and which prohibit the division from granting any permit at a location within a certain designated area do not apply to the provisions of this section and do not prevent the issuance of a license under this section.
History.—s. 14, ch. 92-348.
550.0951 Payment of daily license fee and taxes; penalties.—
(1)(a) DAILY LICENSE FEE.—Each person engaged in the business of conducting race meetings or jai alai games under this chapter, hereinafter referred to as the “permitholder,” “licensee,” or “permittee,” shall pay to the division, for the use of the division, a daily license fee on each live or simulcast pari-mutuel event of $100 for each horserace and $80 for each dograce and $40 for each jai alai game conducted at a racetrack or fronton licensed under this chapter. In addition to the tax exemption specified in s. 550.09514(1) of $360,000 or $500,000 per greyhound permitholder per state fiscal year, each greyhound permitholder shall receive in the current state fiscal year a tax credit equal to the number of live greyhound races conducted in the previous state fiscal year times the daily license fee specified for each dograce in this subsection applicable for the previous state fiscal year. This tax credit and the exemption in s. 550.09514(1) shall be applicable to any tax imposed by this chapter or the daily license fees imposed by this chapter except during any charity or scholarship performances conducted pursuant to s. 550.0351. Each permitholder shall pay daily license fees not to exceed $500 per day on any simulcast races or games on which such permitholder accepts wagers regardless of the number of out-of-state events taken or the number of out-of-state locations from which such events are taken. This license fee shall be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund.
(b) Each permitholder that cannot utilize the full amount of the exemption of $360,000 or $500,000 provided in s. 550.09514(1) or the daily license fee credit provided in this section may, after notifying the division in writing, elect once per state fiscal year on a form provided by the division to transfer such exemption or credit or any portion thereof to any greyhound permitholder which acts as a host track to such permitholder for the purpose of intertrack wagering. Once an election to transfer such exemption or credit is filed with the division, it shall not be rescinded. The division shall disapprove the transfer when the amount of the exemption or credit or portion thereof is unavailable to the transferring permitholder or when the permitholder who is entitled to transfer the exemption or credit or who is entitled to receive the exemption or credit owes taxes to the state pursuant to a deficiency letter or administrative complaint issued by the division. Upon approval of the transfer by the division, the transferred tax exemption or credit shall be effective for the first performance of the next payment period as specified in subsection (5). The exemption or credit transferred to such host track may be applied by such host track against any taxes imposed by this chapter or daily license fees imposed by this chapter. The greyhound permitholder host track to which such exemption or credit is transferred shall reimburse such permitholder the exact monetary value of such transferred exemption or credit as actually applied against the taxes and daily license fees of the host track. The division shall ensure that all transfers of exemption or credit are made in accordance with this subsection and shall have the authority to adopt rules to ensure the implementation of this section.
(2) ADMISSION TAX.—
(a) An admission tax equal to 15 percent of the admission charge for entrance to the permitholder’s facility and grandstand area, or 10 cents, whichever is greater, is imposed on each person attending a horserace, dograce, or jai alai game. The permitholder shall be responsible for collecting the admission tax.
(b) No admission tax under this chapter or chapter 212 shall be imposed on any free passes or complimentary cards issued to persons for which there is no cost to the person for admission to pari-mutuel events.
(c) A permitholder may issue tax-free passes to its officers, officials, and employees or other persons actually engaged in working at the racetrack, including accredited press representatives such as reporters and editors, and may also issue tax-free passes to other permitholders for the use of their officers and officials. The permitholder shall file with the division a list of all persons to whom tax-free passes are issued under this paragraph.
(3) TAX ON HANDLE.—Each permitholder shall pay a tax on contributions to pari-mutuel pools, the aggregate of which is hereinafter referred to as “handle,” on races or games conducted by the permitholder. The tax is imposed daily and is based on the total contributions to all pari-mutuel pools conducted during the daily performance. If a permitholder conducts more than one performance daily, the tax is imposed on each performance separately.
(a) The tax on handle for quarter horse racing is 1.0 percent of the handle.
(b)1. The tax on handle for dogracing is 5.5 percent of the handle, except that for live charity performances held pursuant to s. 550.0351, and for intertrack wagering on such charity performances at a guest greyhound track within the market area of the host, the tax is 7.6 percent of the handle.
2. The tax on handle for jai alai is 7.1 percent of the handle.
(c)1. The tax on handle for intertrack wagering is 2.0 percent of the handle if the host track is a horse track, 3.3 percent if the host track is a harness track, 5.5 percent if the host track is a dog track, and 7.1 percent if the host track is a jai alai fronton. The tax on handle for intertrack wagering is 0.5 percent if the host track and the guest track are thoroughbred permitholders or if the guest track is located outside the market area of the host track and within the market area of a thoroughbred permitholder currently conducting a live race meet. The tax on handle for intertrack wagering on rebroadcasts of simulcast thoroughbred horseraces is 2.4 percent of the handle and 1.5 percent of the handle for intertrack wagering on rebroadcasts of simulcast harness horseraces. The tax shall be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund.
2. The tax on handle for intertrack wagers accepted by any dog track located in an area of the state in which there are only three permitholders, all of which are greyhound permitholders, located in three contiguous counties, from any greyhound permitholder also located within such area or any dog track or jai alai fronton located as specified in s. 550.615(6) or (9), on races or games received from the same class of permitholder located within the same market area is 3.9 percent if the host facility is a greyhound permitholder and, if the host facility is a jai alai permitholder, the rate shall be 6.1 percent except that it shall be 2.3 percent on handle at such time as the total tax on intertrack handle paid to the division by the permitholder during the current state fiscal year exceeds the total tax on intertrack handle paid to the division by the permitholder during the 1992-1993 state fiscal year.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in order to protect the Florida jai alai industry, effective July 1, 2000, a jai alai permitholder may not be taxed on live handle at a rate higher than 2 percent.
(4) BREAKS TAX.—Effective October 1, 1996, each permitholder conducting jai alai performances shall pay a tax equal to the breaks. The “breaks” represents that portion of each pari-mutuel pool which is not redistributed to the contributors or withheld by the permitholder as commission.
(5) PAYMENT AND DISPOSITION OF FEES AND TAXES.—Payments imposed by this section shall be paid to the division. The division shall deposit these sums with the Chief Financial Officer, to the credit of the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund, hereby established. The permitholder shall remit to the division payment for the daily license fee, the admission tax, the tax on handle, and the breaks tax. Such payments shall be remitted by 3 p.m. Wednesday of each week for taxes imposed and collected for the preceding week ending on Sunday. Beginning on July 1, 2012, such payments shall be remitted by 3 p.m. on the 5th day of each calendar month for taxes imposed and collected for the preceding calendar month. If the 5th day of the calendar month falls on a weekend, payments shall be remitted by 3 p.m. the first Monday following the weekend. Permitholders shall file a report under oath by the 5th day of each calendar month for all taxes remitted during the preceding calendar month. Such payments shall be accompanied by a report under oath showing the total of all admissions, the pari-mutuel wagering activities for the preceding calendar month, and such other information as may be prescribed by the division.
(6) PENALTIES.—
(a) The failure of any permitholder to make payments as prescribed in subsection (5) is a violation of this section, and the permitholder may be subjected by the division to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each day the tax payment is not remitted. All penalties imposed and collected shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund. If a permitholder fails to pay penalties imposed by order of the division under this subsection, the division may suspend or revoke the license of the permitholder, cancel the permit of the permitholder, or deny issuance of any further license or permit to the permitholder.
(b) In addition to the civil penalty prescribed in paragraph (a), any willful or wanton failure by any permitholder to make payments of the daily license fee, admission tax, tax on handle, or breaks tax constitutes sufficient grounds for the division to suspend or revoke the license of the permitholder, to cancel the permit of the permitholder, or to deny issuance of any further license or permit to the permitholder.
History.—s. 15, ch. 92-348; s. 2, ch. 94-328; ss. 4, 26, ch. 96-364; s. 2, ch. 98-190; ss. 5, 6, ch. 98-217; s. 6, ch. 2000-354; s. 654, ch. 2003-261; s. 7, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.09511 Jai alai taxes; abandoned interest in a permit for nonpayment of taxes.—
(1)(a) Pari-mutuel wagering at jai alai frontons in this state is an important business enterprise, and taxes derived therefrom constitute a part of the tax structure which funds operations of the state. Jai alai permitholders should pay their fair share of these taxes to the state. As further prescribed in paragraph (b), this business interest should not be taxed to such an extent as to cause any fronton which is operated under sound business principles to be forced out of business. Due to the need to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the gaming laws of the state provide for the jai alai industry to be highly regulated and taxed. The state recognizes that there exist identifiable differences between jai alai permitholders based upon their ability to operate under such regulation and tax system.
(b) Under the taxation system set forth in this section, which is based upon revenues instead of profits, a jai alai permitholder should pay its fair share of taxes to the state, but it should not be subjected to taxes that might cause it to operate at a loss, impair its ability to service debt or to maintain its fixed assets, or otherwise jeopardize its existence and the jobs of its employees. Any jai alai permitholder that has incurred state taxes on handle and admissions in an amount that exceeds its operating earnings in a fiscal year that ends during or after the 1997-1998 state fiscal year is entitled to credit the excess amount of the taxes against state pari-mutuel taxes due and payable after June 30, 1998, during its next ensuing meets. As used in this paragraph, the term “operating earnings” means total revenues from pari-mutuel operations net of state taxes and fees less total expenses but excluding from expenses any deductions for interest, depreciation and amortization, payments to affiliated entities other than for reimbursement of expenses related to pari-mutuel operations, and any increase in an officer’s or director’s annual compensation above the amount paid during calendar year 1997.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.0951(3)(b), wagering on live jai alai performances shall be subject to the following taxes:
(a)1. The tax on handle per performance for live jai alai performances is 4.25 percent of handle per performance. However, when the live handle of a permitholder during the preceding state fiscal year was less than $15 million, the tax shall be paid on the handle in excess of $30,000 per performance per day.
2. The tax rate shall be applicable only until the requirements of paragraph (b) are met.
(b) At such time as the total of admissions tax, daily license fee, and tax on handle for live jai alai performances paid to the division by a permitholder during the current state fiscal year exceeds the total state tax revenues from wagering on live jai alai performances paid or due by the permitholder in fiscal year 1991-1992, the permitholder shall pay tax on handle for live jai alai performances at a rate of 2.55 percent of the handle per performance for the remainder of the current state fiscal year. For purposes of this section, total state tax revenues on live jai alai wagering in fiscal year 1991-1992 shall include any admissions tax, tax on handle, surtaxes on handle, and daily license fees.
(c) If no tax on handle for live jai alai performances were paid to the division by a jai alai permitholder during the 1991-1992 state fiscal year, then at such time as the total of admissions tax, daily license fee, and tax on handle for live jai alai performances paid to the division by a permitholder during the current state fiscal year exceeds the total state tax revenues from wagering on live jai alai performances paid or due by the permitholder in the last state fiscal year in which the permitholder conducted a full schedule of live games, the permitholder shall pay tax on handle for live jai alai performances at a rate of 3.3 percent of the handle per performance for the remainder of the current state fiscal year. For purposes of this section, total state tax revenues on live jai alai wagering shall include any admissions tax, tax on handle, surtaxes on handle, and daily license fees. This paragraph shall take effect July 1, 1993.
(d) A permitholder who obtains a new permit issued by the division subsequent to the 1991-1992 state fiscal year and a permitholder whose permit has been converted to a jai alai permit under the provisions of this chapter, shall, at such time as the total of admissions tax, daily license fee, and tax on handle for live jai alai performances paid to the division by the permitholder during the current state fiscal year exceeds the average total state tax revenues from wagering on live jai alai performances for the first 3 consecutive jai alai seasons paid to or due the division by the permitholder and during which the permitholder conducted a full schedule of live games, pay tax on handle for live jai alai performances at a rate of 3.3 percent of the handle per performance for the remainder of the current state fiscal year.
(e) The payment of taxes pursuant to paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) shall be calculated and commence beginning the day in which the permitholder is first entitled to the reduced rate specified in this section and the report of taxes required by s. 550.0951(5) is submitted to the division.
(f) A jai alai permitholder paying taxes under this section shall retain the breaks and pay an amount equal to the breaks as special prize awards which shall be in addition to the regular contracted prize money paid to jai alai players at the permitholder’s facility. Payment of the special prize money shall be made during the permitholder’s current meet.
(g) For purposes of this section, “handle” shall have the same meaning as in s. 550.0951, and shall not include handle from intertrack wagering.
(3)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) and s. 550.0951(3)(c)1., any jai alai permitholder which is restricted under Florida law from operating live performances on a year-round basis is entitled to conduct wagering on live performances at a tax rate of 3.85 percent of live handle. Such permitholder is also entitled to conduct intertrack wagering as a host permitholder on live jai alai games at its fronton at a tax rate of 3.3 percent of handle at such time as the total tax on intertrack handle paid to the division by the permitholder during the current state fiscal year exceeds the total tax on intertrack handle paid to the division by the permitholder during the 1992-1993 state fiscal year.
(b) The payment of taxes pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be calculated and commence beginning the day in which the permitholder is first entitled to the reduced rate specified in this subsection.
(4) A jai alai permitholder conducting fewer than 100 live performances in any calendar year shall pay to the state the same aggregate amount of daily license fees on live jai alai games, admissions tax, and tax on live handle as that permitholder paid to the state during the most recent prior calendar year in which the jai alai permitholder conducted at least 100 live performances.
(5) In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions of this section to be unconstitutional, it is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions contained in this section shall be null and void and that the provisions of s. 550.0951 shall apply to all jai alai permitholders beginning on the date of such judicial determination. To this end, the Legislature declares that it would not have enacted any of the provisions of this section individually and, to that end, expressly finds them not to be severable.
History.—s. 1, ch. 93-287; s. 3, ch. 94-328; ss. 5, 16, ch. 95-390; ss. 5, 26, ch. 96-364; s. 6, ch. 98-217; s. 2, ch. 98-401; s. 22, ch. 99-4; s. 2, ch. 2005-288; s. 8, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.09512 Harness horse taxes; abandoned interest in a permit for nonpayment of taxes.—
(1) Pari-mutuel wagering at harness horse racetracks in this state is an important business enterprise, and taxes derived therefrom constitute a part of the tax structure which funds operation of the state. Harness horse permitholders should pay their fair share of these taxes to the state. This business interest should not be taxed to such an extent as to cause any racetrack which is operated under sound business principles to be forced out of business. Due to the need to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the gaming laws of the state provide for the harness horse industry to be highly regulated and taxed. The state recognizes that there exist identifiable differences between harness horse permitholders based upon their ability to operate under such regulation and tax system.
(2)(a) The tax on handle for live harness horse performances is 0.5 percent of handle per performance.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term “handle” shall have the same meaning as in s. 550.0951, and shall not include handle from intertrack wagering.
(3)(a) The permit of a harness horse permitholder who does not pay tax on handle for live harness horse performances for a full schedule of live races during any 2 consecutive state fiscal years shall be void and shall escheat to and become the property of the state unless such failure to operate and pay tax on handle was the direct result of fire, strike, war, or other disaster or event beyond the ability of the permitholder to control. Financial hardship to the permitholder shall not, in and of itself, constitute just cause for failure to operate and pay tax on handle.
(b) In order to maximize the tax revenues to the state, the division shall reissue an escheated harness horse permit to a qualified applicant pursuant to the provisions of this chapter as for the issuance of an initial permit. However, the provisions of this chapter relating to referendum requirements for a pari-mutuel permit shall not apply to the reissuance of an escheated harness horse permit. As specified in the application and upon approval by the division of an application for the permit, the new permitholder shall be authorized to operate a harness horse facility anywhere in the same county in which the escheated permit was authorized to be operated, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.054(2) relating to mileage limitations.
(4) In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions of this section to be unconstitutional, it is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions contained in this section shall be null and void and that the provisions of s. 550.0951 shall apply to all harness horse permitholders beginning on the date of such judicial determination. To this end, the Legislature declares that it would not have enacted any of the provisions of this section individually and, to that end, expressly finds them not to be severable.
History.—s. 1, ch. 93-288; s. 2, ch. 98-217; s. 15, ch. 2000-354.
550.09514 Greyhound dogracing taxes; purse requirements.—
(1) Wagering on greyhound racing is subject to a tax on handle for live greyhound racing as specified in s. 550.0951(3). However, each permitholder shall pay no tax on handle until such time as this subsection has resulted in a tax savings per state fiscal year of $360,000. Thereafter, each permitholder shall pay the tax as specified in s. 550.0951(3) on all handle for the remainder of the permitholder’s current race meet. For the three permitholders that conducted a full schedule of live racing in 1995, and are closest to another state that authorizes greyhound pari-mutuel wagering, the maximum tax savings per state fiscal year shall be $500,000. The provisions of this subsection relating to tax exemptions shall not apply to any charity or scholarship performances conducted pursuant to s. 550.0351.
(2)(a) The division shall determine for each greyhound permitholder the annual purse percentage rate of live handle for the state fiscal year 1993-1994 by dividing total purses paid on live handle by the permitholder, exclusive of payments made from outside sources, during the 1993-1994 state fiscal year by the permitholder’s live handle for the 1993-1994 state fiscal year. Each permitholder shall pay as purses for live races conducted during its current race meet a percentage of its live handle not less than the percentage determined under this paragraph, exclusive of payments made by outside sources, for its 1993-1994 state fiscal year.
(b) Except as otherwise set forth herein, in addition to the minimum purse percentage required by paragraph (a), each permitholder shall pay as purses an annual amount equal to 75 percent of the daily license fees paid by each permitholder for the 1994-1995 fiscal year. This purse supplement shall be disbursed weekly during the permitholder’s race meet in an amount determined by dividing the annual purse supplement by the number of performances approved for the permitholder pursuant to its annual license and multiplying that amount by the number of performances conducted each week. For the greyhound permitholders in the county where there are two greyhound permitholders located as specified in s. 550.615(6), such permitholders shall pay in the aggregate an amount equal to 75 percent of the daily license fees paid by such permitholders for the 1994-1995 fiscal year. These permitholders shall be jointly and severally liable for such purse payments. The additional purses provided by this paragraph must be used exclusively for purses other than stakes. The division shall conduct audits necessary to ensure compliance with this section.
(c)1. Each greyhound permitholder when conducting at least three live performances during any week shall pay purses in that week on wagers it accepts as a guest track on intertrack and simulcast greyhound races at the same rate as it pays on live races. Each greyhound permitholder when conducting at least three live performances during any week shall pay purses in that week, at the same rate as it pays on live races, on wagers accepted on greyhound races at a guest track which is not conducting live racing and is located within the same market area as the greyhound permitholder conducting at least three live performances during any week.
2. Each host greyhound permitholder shall pay purses on its simulcast and intertrack broadcasts of greyhound races to guest facilities that are located outside its market area in an amount equal to one quarter of an amount determined by subtracting the transmission costs of sending the simulcast or intertrack broadcasts from an amount determined by adding the fees received for greyhound simulcast races plus 3 percent of the greyhound intertrack handle at guest facilities that are located outside the market area of the host and that paid contractual fees to the host for such broadcasts of greyhound races.
(d) The division shall require sufficient documentation from each greyhound permitholder regarding purses paid on live racing to assure that the annual purse percentage rates paid by each permitholder on the live races are not reduced below those paid during the 1993-1994 state fiscal year. The division shall require sufficient documentation from each greyhound permitholder to assure that the purses paid by each permitholder on the greyhound intertrack and simulcast broadcasts are in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c).
(e) In addition to the purse requirements of paragraphs (a)-(c), each greyhound permitholder shall pay as purses an amount equal to one-third of the amount of the tax reduction on live and simulcast handle applicable to such permitholder as a result of the reductions in tax rates provided by this act through the amendments to s. 550.0951(3). With respect to intertrack wagering when the host and guest tracks are greyhound permitholders not within the same market area, an amount equal to the tax reduction applicable to the guest track handle as a result of the reduction in tax rate provided by this act through the amendment to s. 550.0951(3) shall be distributed to the guest track, one-third of which amount shall be paid as purses at the guest track. However, if the guest track is a greyhound permitholder within the market area of the host or if the guest track is not a greyhound permitholder, an amount equal to such tax reduction applicable to the guest track handle shall be retained by the host track, one-third of which amount shall be paid as purses at the host track. These purse funds shall be disbursed in the week received if the permitholder conducts at least one live performance during that week. If the permitholder does not conduct at least one live performance during the week in which the purse funds are received, the purse funds shall be disbursed weekly during the permitholder’s next race meet in an amount determined by dividing the purse amount by the number of performances approved for the permitholder pursuant to its annual license, and multiplying that amount by the number of performances conducted each week. The division shall conduct audits necessary to ensure compliance with this paragraph.
(f) Each greyhound permitholder shall, during the permitholder’s race meet, supply kennel operators and the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering with a weekly report showing purses paid on live greyhound races and all greyhound intertrack and simulcast broadcasts, including both as a guest and a host together with the handle or commission calculations on which such purses were paid and the transmission costs of sending the simulcast or intertrack broadcasts, so that the kennel operators may determine statutory and contractual compliance.
(g) Each greyhound permitholder shall make direct payment of purses to the greyhound owners who have filed with such permitholder appropriate federal taxpayer identification information based on the percentage amount agreed upon between the kennel operator and the greyhound owner.
(h) At the request of a majority of kennel operators under contract with a greyhound permitholder, the permitholder shall make deductions from purses paid to each kennel operator electing such deduction and shall make a direct payment of such deductions to the local association of greyhound kennel operators formed by a majority of kennel operators under contract with the permitholder. The amount of the deduction shall be at least 1 percent of purses, as determined by the local association of greyhound kennel operators. No deductions may be taken pursuant to this paragraph without a kennel operator’s specific approval before or after the effective date of this act.
(3) For the purpose of this section, the term “live handle” means the handle from wagers placed at the permitholder’s establishment on the live greyhound races conducted at the permitholder’s establishment.
History.—s. 6, ch. 96-364; s. 3, ch. 98-217; s. 60, ch. 99-5; s. 74, ch. 2000-158; s. 8, ch. 2000-354; s. 9, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.09515 Thoroughbred horse taxes; abandoned interest in a permit for nonpayment of taxes.—
(1) Pari-mutuel wagering at thoroughbred horse racetracks in this state is an important business enterprise, and taxes derived therefrom constitute a part of the tax structure which funds operation of the state. Thoroughbred horse permitholders should pay their fair share of these taxes to the state. This business interest should not be taxed to such an extent as to cause any racetrack which is operated under sound business principles to be forced out of business. Due to the need to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the gaming laws of the state provide for the thoroughbred horse industry to be highly regulated and taxed. The state recognizes that there exist identifiable differences between thoroughbred horse permitholders based upon their ability to operate under such regulation and tax system and at different periods during the year.
(2)(a) The tax on handle for live thoroughbred horserace performances shall be 0.5 percent.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term “handle” shall have the same meaning as in s. 550.0951, and shall not include handle from intertrack wagering.
(3)(a) The permit of a thoroughbred horse permitholder who does not pay tax on handle for live thoroughbred horse performances for a full schedule of live races during any 2 consecutive state fiscal years shall be void and shall escheat to and become the property of the state unless such failure to operate and pay tax on handle was the direct result of fire, strike, war, or other disaster or event beyond the ability of the permitholder to control. Financial hardship to the permitholder shall not, in and of itself, constitute just cause for failure to operate and pay tax on handle.
(b) In order to maximize the tax revenues to the state, the division shall reissue an escheated thoroughbred horse permit to a qualified applicant pursuant to the provisions of this chapter as for the issuance of an initial permit. However, the provisions of this chapter relating to referendum requirements for a pari-mutuel permit shall not apply to the reissuance of an escheated thoroughbred horse permit. As specified in the application and upon approval by the division of an application for the permit, the new permitholder shall be authorized to operate a thoroughbred horse facility anywhere in the same county in which the escheated permit was authorized to be operated, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.054(2) relating to mileage limitations.
(4) In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions of this section to be unconstitutional, it is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions contained in this section shall be null and void and that the provisions of s. 550.0951 shall apply to all thoroughbred horse permitholders beginning on the date of such judicial determination. To this end, the Legislature declares that it would not have enacted any of the provisions of this section individually and, to that end, expressly finds them not to be severable.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.0951(3)(c), the tax on handle for intertrack wagering on rebroadcasts of simulcast horseraces is 2.4 percent of the handle; provided however, that if the guest track is a thoroughbred track located more than 35 miles from the host track, the host track shall pay a tax of .5 percent of the handle, and additionally the host track shall pay to the guest track 1.9 percent of the handle to be used by the guest track solely for purses. The tax shall be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund.
(6) A credit equal to the amount of contributions made by a thoroughbred permitholder during the taxable year directly to the Jockeys’ Guild or its health and welfare fund to be used to provide health and welfare benefits for active, disabled, and retired Florida jockeys and their dependents pursuant to reasonable rules of eligibility established by the Jockeys’ Guild is allowed against taxes on live handle due for a taxable year under this section. A thoroughbred permitholder may not receive a credit greater than an amount equal to 1 percent of its paid taxes for the previous taxable year.
(7) If a thoroughbred permitholder fails to operate all performances on its 2001-2002 license, failure to pay tax on handle for a full schedule of live races for those performances in the 2001-2002 fiscal year does not constitute failure to pay taxes on handle for a full schedule of live races in a fiscal year for the purposes of subsection (3). This subsection may not be construed as forgiving a thoroughbred permitholder from paying taxes on performances conducted at its facility pursuant to its 2001-2002 license other than for failure to operate all performances on its 2001-2002 license. This subsection expires July 1, 2003.
History.—s. 1, ch. 93-123; ss. 7, 26, ch. 96-364; ss. 3, 4, ch. 98-190; s. 75, ch. 2000-158; ss. 9, 10, ch. 2000-354; s. 12, ch. 2002-2; s. 38, ch. 2002-402.
550.105 Occupational licenses of racetrack employees; fees; denial, suspension, and revocation of license; penalties and fines.—
(1) Each person connected with a racetrack or jai alai fronton, as specified in paragraph (2)(a), shall purchase from the division an occupational license. All moneys collected pursuant to this section each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. Pursuant to the rules adopted by the division, an occupational license may be valid for a period of up to 3 years for a fee that does not exceed the full occupational license fee for each of the years for which the license is purchased. The occupational license shall be valid during its specified term at any pari-mutuel facility.
(2)(a) The following licenses shall be issued to persons or entities with access to the backside, racing animals, jai alai players’ room, jockeys’ room, drivers’ room, totalisator room, the mutuels, or money room, or to persons who, by virtue of the position they hold, might be granted access to these areas or to any other person or entity in one of the following categories and with fees not to exceed the following amounts for any 12-month period:
1. Business licenses: any business such as a vendor, contractual concessionaire, contract kennel, business owning racing animals, trust or estate, totalisator company, stable name, or other fictitious name: $50.
2. Professional occupational licenses: professional persons with access to the backside of a racetrack or players’ quarters in jai alai such as trainers, officials, veterinarians, doctors, nurses, EMT’s, jockeys and apprentices, drivers, jai alai players, owners, trustees, or any management or officer or director or shareholder or any other professional-level person who might have access to the jockeys’ room, the drivers’ room, the backside, racing animals, kennel compound, or managers or supervisors requiring access to mutuels machines, the money room, or totalisator equipment: $40.
3. General occupational licenses: general employees with access to the jockeys’ room, the drivers’ room, racing animals, the backside of a racetrack or players’ quarters in jai alai, such as grooms, kennel helpers, leadouts, pelota makers, cesta makers, or ball boys, or a practitioner of any other occupation who would have access to the animals, the backside, or the kennel compound, or who would provide the security or maintenance of these areas, or mutuel employees, totalisator employees, money-room employees, or any employee with access to mutuels machines, the money room, or totalisator equipment or who would provide the security or maintenance of these areas: $10.
The individuals and entities that are licensed under this paragraph require heightened state scrutiny, including the submission by the individual licensees or persons associated with the entities described in this chapter of fingerprints for a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal records check.
(b) The division shall adopt rules pertaining to pari-mutuel occupational licenses, licensing periods, and renewal cycles.
(3) Certified public accountants and attorneys licensed to practice in this state shall not be required to hold an occupational license under this section while providing accounting or legal services to a permitholder if the certified public accountant’s or attorney’s primary place of employment is not on the permitholder premises.
(4) It is unlawful to take part in or officiate in any way at any pari-mutuel facility without first having secured a license and paid the occupational license fee.
(5)(a) The division may:
1. Deny a license to or revoke, suspend, or place conditions upon or restrictions on a license of any person who has been refused a license by any other state racing commission or racing authority;
2. Deny, suspend, or place conditions on a license of any person who is under suspension or has unpaid fines in another jurisdiction;
if the state racing commission or racing authority of such other state or jurisdiction extends to the division reciprocal courtesy to maintain the disciplinary control.
(b) The division may deny, suspend, revoke, or declare ineligible any occupational license if the applicant for or holder thereof has violated the provisions of this chapter or the rules of the division governing the conduct of persons connected with racetracks and frontons. In addition, the division may deny, suspend, revoke, or declare ineligible any occupational license if the applicant for such license has been convicted in this state, in any other state, or under the laws of the United States of a capital felony, a felony, or an offense in any other state which would be a felony under the laws of this state involving arson; trafficking in, conspiracy to traffic in, smuggling, importing, conspiracy to smuggle or import, or delivery, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance; or a crime involving a lack of good moral character, or has had a pari-mutuel license revoked by this state or any other jurisdiction for an offense related to pari-mutuel wagering.
(c) The division may deny, declare ineligible, or revoke any occupational license if the applicant for such license has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in this state, in any other state, or under the laws of the United States, if such felony or misdemeanor is related to gambling or bookmaking, as contemplated in s. 849.25, or involves cruelty to animals. If the applicant establishes that she or he is of good moral character, that she or he has been rehabilitated, and that the crime she or he was convicted of is not related to pari-mutuel wagering and is not a capital offense, the restrictions excluding offenders may be waived by the director of the division.
(d) For purposes of this subsection, the term “convicted” means having been found guilty, with or without adjudication of guilt, as a result of a jury verdict, nonjury trial, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. However, the term “conviction” shall not be applied to a crime committed prior to the effective date of this subsection in a manner that would invalidate any occupational license issued prior to the effective date of this subsection or subsequent renewal for any person holding such a license.
(e) If an occupational license will expire by division rule during the period of a suspension the division intends to impose, or if a license would have expired but for pending administrative charges and the occupational licensee is found to be in violation of any of the charges, the license may be revoked and a time period of license ineligibility may be declared. The division may bring administrative charges against any person not holding a current license for violations of statutes or rules which occurred while such person held an occupational license, and the division may declare such person ineligible to hold a license for a period of time. The division may impose a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each violation of the rules of the division in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty provided for in this section. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the division may exclude from all pari-mutuel facilities in this state, for a period not to exceed the period of suspension, revocation, or ineligibility, any person whose occupational license application has been denied by the division, who has been declared ineligible to hold an occupational license, or whose occupational license has been suspended or revoked by the division.
(f) The division may cancel any occupational license that has been voluntarily relinquished by the licensee.
(6) In order to promote the orderly presentation of pari-mutuel meets authorized in this chapter, the division may issue a temporary occupational license. The division shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. However, no temporary occupational license shall be valid for more than 90 days, and no more than one temporary license may be issued for any person in any year.
(7) The division may deny, revoke, or suspend any occupational license if the applicant therefor or holder thereof accumulates unpaid obligations or defaults in obligations, or issues drafts or checks that are dishonored or for which payment is refused without reasonable cause, if such unpaid obligations, defaults, or dishonored or refused drafts or checks directly relate to the sport of jai alai or racing being conducted at a pari-mutuel facility within this state.
(8) The division may fine, or suspend or revoke, or place conditions upon, the license of any licensee who under oath knowingly provides false information regarding an investigation by the division.
(9) The tax imposed by this section is in lieu of all license, excise, or occupational taxes to the state or any county, municipality, or other political subdivision, except that, if a race meeting or game is held or conducted in a municipality, the municipality may assess and collect an additional tax against any person conducting live racing or games within its corporate limits, which tax may not exceed $150 per day for horseracing or $50 per day for dogracing or jai alai. Except as provided in this chapter, a municipality may not assess or collect any additional excise or revenue tax against any person conducting race meetings within the corporate limits of the municipality or against any patron of any such person.
(10)(a) Upon application for an occupational license, the division may require the applicant’s full legal name; any nickname, alias, or maiden name for the applicant; name of the applicant’s spouse; the applicant’s date of birth, residence address, mailing address, residence address and business phone number, and social security number; disclosure of any felony or any conviction involving bookmaking, illegal gambling, or cruelty to animals; disclosure of any past or present enforcement or actions by any racing or gaming agency against the applicant; and any information the division determines is necessary to establish the identity of the applicant or to establish that the applicant is of good moral character. Fingerprints shall be taken in a manner approved by the division and then shall be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or to the association of state officials regulating pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to the Federal Pari-mutuel Licensing Simplification Act of 1988. The cost of processing fingerprints shall be borne by the applicant and paid to the association of state officials regulating pari-mutuel wagering from the trust fund to which the processing fees are deposited. The division, by rule, may require additional information from licensees which is reasonably necessary to regulate the industry. The division may, by rule, exempt certain occupations or groups of persons from the fingerprinting requirements.
(b) All fingerprints required by this section that are submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement and entered into the statewide automated biometric identification system as authorized by s. 943.05(2)(b) and shall be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprints entered into the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051.
(c) The Department of Law Enforcement shall search all arrest fingerprints received pursuant to s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system under paragraph (b). Any arrest record that is identified with the retained fingerprints of a person subject to the criminal history screening requirements of this section shall be reported to the division. Each licensee shall pay a fee to the division for the cost of retention of the fingerprints and the ongoing searches under this paragraph. The division shall forward the payment to the Department of Law Enforcement. The amount of the fee to be imposed for performing these searches and the procedures for the retention of licensee fingerprints shall be as established by rule of the Department of Law Enforcement. The division shall inform the Department of Law Enforcement of any change in the license status of licensees whose fingerprints are retained under paragraph (b).
(d) The division shall request the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check at least once every 5 years following issuance of a license. If the fingerprints of a person who is licensed have not been retained by the Department of Law Enforcement, the person must file a complete set of fingerprints as provided in paragraph (a). The division shall collect the fees for the cost of the national criminal history records check under this paragraph and forward the payment to the Department of Law Enforcement. The cost of processing fingerprints and conducting a criminal history records check under this paragraph for a general occupational license shall be borne by the applicant. The cost of processing fingerprints and conducting a criminal history records check under this paragraph for a business or professional occupational license shall be borne by the person being checked. The Department of Law Enforcement may invoice the division for the fingerprints submitted each month. Under penalty of perjury, each person who is licensed or who is fingerprinted as required by this section must agree to inform the division within 48 hours if he or she is convicted of or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any disqualifying offense, regardless of adjudication.
History.—s. 16, ch. 92-348; s. 6, ch. 95-390; s. 28, ch. 97-98; s. 784, ch. 97-103; s. 23, ch. 2000-354; s. 10, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29; s. 52, ch. 2013-116.
550.1155 Authority of stewards, judges, panel of judges, or player’s manager to impose penalties against occupational licensees; disposition of funds collected.—
(1) The stewards at a horse racetrack; the judges at a dog track; or the judges, a panel of judges, or a player’s manager at a jai alai fronton may impose a civil penalty against any occupational licensee for violation of the pari-mutuel laws or any rule adopted by the division. The penalty may not exceed $1,000 for each count or separate offense or exceed 60 days of suspension for each count or separate offense.
(2) All penalties imposed and collected pursuant to this section at each horse or dog racetrack or jai alai fronton shall be deposited into a board of relief fund established by the pari-mutuel permitholder. Each association shall name a board of relief composed of three of its officers, with the general manager of the permitholder being the ex officio treasurer of such board. Moneys deposited into the board of relief fund shall be disbursed by the board for the specific purpose of aiding occupational licenseholders and their immediate family members at each pari-mutuel facility.
History.—s. 17, ch. 92-348; s. 7, ch. 95-390.
550.125 Uniform reporting system; bond requirement.—
(1) The Legislature finds that a uniform reporting system should be developed to provide acceptable uniform financial data and statistics.
(2)(a) Each permitholder that conducts race meetings or jai alai exhibitions under this chapter shall keep records that clearly show the total number of admissions and the total amount of money contributed to each pari-mutuel pool on each race or exhibition separately and the amount of money received daily from admission fees and, within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year, shall submit to the division a complete annual report of its accounts, audited by a certified public accountant licensed to practice in the state.
(b) The division shall adopt rules specifying the form and content of such reports, including, but not limited to, requirements for a statement of assets and liabilities, operating revenues and expenses, and net worth, which statement must be audited by a certified public accountant licensed to practice in this state, and any supporting informational schedule found necessary by the division to verify the foregoing financial statement, which informational schedule must be attested to under oath by the permitholder or an officer of record, to permit the division to:
1. Assess the profitability and financial soundness of permitholders, both individually and as an industry;
2. Plan and recommend measures necessary to preserve and protect the pari-mutuel revenues of the state; and
3. Completely identify the holdings, transactions, and investments of permitholders with other business entities.
(c) The Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability may, pursuant to their own authority or at the direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, audit, examine, and check the books and records of any permitholder. These audit reports shall become part of, and be maintained in, the division files.
(d) The division shall annually review the books and records of each permitholder and verify that the breaks and unclaimed ticket payments made by each permitholder are true and correct.
(3)(a) Each permitholder to which a license is granted under this chapter, at its own cost and expense, must, before the license is delivered, give a bond in the penal sum of $50,000 payable to the Governor of the state and her or his successors in office, with a surety or sureties to be approved by the division and the Chief Financial Officer, conditioned to faithfully make the payments to the Chief Financial Officer in her or his capacity as treasurer of the division; to keep its books and records and make reports as provided; and to conduct its racing in conformity with this chapter. When the greatest amount of tax owed during any month in the prior state fiscal year, in which a full schedule of live racing was conducted, is less than $50,000, the division may assess a bond in a sum less than $50,000. The division may review the bond for adequacy and require adjustments each fiscal year. The division has the authority to adopt rules to implement this paragraph and establish guidelines for such bonds.
(b) The provisions of this chapter concerning bonding do not apply to nonwagering licenses issued pursuant to s. 550.505.
History.—s. 18, ch. 92-348; s. 785, ch. 97-103; s. 122, ch. 2001-266; s. 655, ch. 2003-261.
550.135 Division of moneys derived under this law.—All moneys that are deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund shall be distributed as follows:
(1) The daily license fee revenues collected pursuant to s. 550.0951(1) shall be used to fund the operating cost of the division and to provide a proportionate share of the operation of the office of the secretary and the Division of Administration of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation; however, other collections in the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund may also be used to fund the operation of the division in accordance with authorized appropriations.
(2) All unappropriated funds in excess of $1.5 million in the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund, collected pursuant to this chapter, shall be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
(3) The slot machine license fee, the slot machine occupational license fee, and the compulsive or addictive gambling prevention program fee collected pursuant to ss. 551.106, 551.107(2)(a)1., and 551.118 shall be used to fund the direct and indirect operating expenses of the division’s slot machine regulation operations and to provide funding for relevant enforcement activities in accordance with authorized appropriations. Funds deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund pursuant to ss. 551.106, 551.107(2)(a)1., and 551.118 shall be reserved in the trust fund for slot machine regulation operations. On June 30, any unappropriated funds in excess of those necessary for incurred obligations and subsequent year cash flow for slot machine regulation operations shall be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
History.—s. 19, ch. 92-348; s. 208, ch. 94-218; s. 8, ch. 96-364; s. 5, ch. 2000-354; s. 656, ch. 2003-261; s. 1, ch. 2004-281; s. 1, ch. 2007-83.
550.155 Pari-mutuel pool within track enclosure; takeouts; breaks; penalty for purchasing part of a pari-mutuel pool for or through another in specified circumstances.—
(1) Wagering on the results of a horserace, dograce, or on the scores or points of a jai alai game and the sale of tickets or other evidences showing an interest in or a contribution to a pari-mutuel pool are allowed within the enclosure of any pari-mutuel facility licensed and conducted under this chapter but are not allowed elsewhere in this state, must be supervised by the division, and are subject to such reasonable rules that the division prescribes.
(2) The permitholder’s share of the takeout is that portion of the takeout that remains after the pari-mutuel tax imposed upon the contributions to the pari-mutuel pool is deducted from the takeout and paid by the permitholder. The takeout is deducted from all pari-mutuel pools but may be different depending on the type of pari-mutuel pool. The permitholder shall inform the patrons, either through the official program or via the posting of signs at conspicuous locations, as to the takeout currently being applied to handle at the facility. A capital improvement proposed by a permitholder licensed under this chapter to a pari-mutuel facility existing on June 23, 1981, which capital improvement requires, pursuant to any municipal or county ordinance, resolution, or regulation, the qualification or approval of the municipality or county wherein the permitholder conducts its business operations, shall receive approval unless the municipality or county is able to show that the proposed improvement presents a justifiable and immediate hazard to the health and safety of municipal or county residents, provided the permitholder pays to the municipality or county the cost of a building permit and provided the capital improvement meets the following criteria:
(a) The improvement does not qualify as a development of regional impact as defined in s. 380.06; and
(b) The improvement is contiguous to or within the existing pari-mutuel facility site. To be contiguous, the site of the improvement must share a sufficient common boundary with the present pari-mutuel facility to allow full and free access without crossing a public roadway, public waterway, or similar barrier.
(3) After deducting the takeout and the “breaks,” a pari-mutuel pool must be redistributed to the contributors.
(4) Redistribution of funds otherwise distributable to the contributors of a pari-mutuel pool must be a sum equal to the next lowest multiple of 10 on all races and games.
(5) A distribution of a pari-mutuel pool may not be made of the odd cents of any sum otherwise distributable, which odd cents constitute the “breaks.”
(6) A person or corporation may not directly or indirectly purchase pari-mutuel tickets or participate in the purchase of any part of a pari-mutuel pool for another for hire or for any gratuity. A person may not purchase any part of a pari-mutuel pool through another wherein she or he gives or pays directly or indirectly such other person anything of value. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 20, ch. 92-348; s. 8, ch. 95-390; s. 786, ch. 97-103; s. 18, ch. 2000-354.
550.1625 Dogracing; taxes.—
(1) The operation of a dog track and legalized pari-mutuel betting at dog tracks in this state is a privilege and is an operation that requires strict supervision and regulation in the best interests of the state. Pari-mutuel wagering at dog tracks in this state is a substantial business, and taxes derived therefrom constitute part of the tax structures of the state and the counties. The operators of dog tracks should pay their fair share of taxes to the state; at the same time, this substantial business interest should not be taxed to such an extent as to cause a track that is operated under sound business principles to be forced out of business.
(2) A permitholder that conducts a dograce meet under this chapter must pay the daily license fee, the admission tax, the breaks tax, and the tax on pari-mutuel handle as provided in s. 550.0951 and is subject to all penalties and sanctions provided in s. 550.0951(6).
History.—s. 21, ch. 92-348; s. 54, ch. 2000-154.
550.1645 Escheat to state of abandoned interest in or contribution to pari-mutuel pools.—
(1) It is the public policy of the state, while protecting the interest of the owners, to possess all unclaimed and abandoned interest in or contribution to certain pari-mutuel pools conducted in this state under this chapter, for the benefit of all the people of the state; and this law shall be liberally construed to accomplish such purpose.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all money or other property represented by any unclaimed, uncashed, or abandoned pari-mutuel ticket which has remained in the custody of or under the control of any licensee authorized to conduct pari-mutuel pools in this state for a period of 1 year after the date the pari-mutuel ticket was issued, if the rightful owner or owners thereof have made no claim or demand for such money or other property within the aforesaid period of time, is hereby declared to have escheated to or to escheat to, and to have become the property of, the state.
(3) All money or other property that has escheated to and become the property of the state as provided herein, and which is held by such licensee authorized to conduct pari-mutuel pools in this state, shall be paid by such licensee to the Chief Financial Officer annually within 60 days after the close of the race meeting of the licensee. Such moneys so paid by the licensee to the Chief Financial Officer shall be deposited in the State School Fund to be used for the support and maintenance of public free schools as required by s. 6, Art. IX of the State Constitution.
History.—s. 22, ch. 92-348; s. 11, ch. 2000-354; s. 657, ch. 2003-261.
550.1646 Credit for unclaimed property remitted to state.—All money or other property represented by any unclaimed, uncashed, or abandoned pari-mutuel ticket that has remained in the custody of or under the control of any permitholder authorized to conduct jai alai pari-mutuel pools in this state for a period of 1 year after the date the pari-mutuel ticket was issued, if the rightful owners thereof have made no claim or demand for such money or other property within that period of time, shall, with respect to live games conducted by the permitholder, be remitted to the state pursuant to s. 550.1645; however, such permitholder shall be entitled to a credit in each state fiscal year in an amount equal to 25 percent of the actual amount remitted in the prior state fiscal year which may be applied against any taxes imposed under this chapter. Funds equal to such credit from any live jai alai games shall be paid by the permitholder to the National Association of Jai Alai Frontons, to be used for the general promotion of the sport of jai alai in the state, including professional tournaments and amateur jai alai youth programs. These youth programs shall focus on benefiting children in after-school and anti-drug programs with special attention to inner-city areas.
History.—s. 45, ch. 2000-354.
550.1647 Greyhound permitholders; unclaimed tickets; breaks.—All money or other property represented by any unclaimed, uncashed, or abandoned pari-mutuel ticket which has remained in the custody of or under the control of any permitholder authorized to conduct greyhound racing pari-mutuel pools in this state for a period of 1 year after the date the pari-mutuel ticket was issued, if the rightful owner or owners thereof have made no claim or demand for such money or other property within that period of time, shall, with respect to live races conducted by the permitholder, be remitted to the state pursuant to s. 550.1645; however, such permitholder shall be entitled to a credit in each state fiscal year in an amount equal to the actual amount remitted in the prior state fiscal year which may be applied against any taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter. In addition, each permitholder shall pay, from any source, including the proceeds from performances conducted pursuant to s. 550.0351, an amount not less than 10 percent of the amount of the credit provided by this section to any bona fide organization that promotes or encourages the adoption of greyhounds. As used in this chapter, the term “bona fide organization that promotes or encourages the adoption of greyhounds” means any organization that provides evidence of compliance with chapter 496 and possesses a valid exemption from federal taxation issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Such bona fide organization, as a condition of adoption, must provide sterilization of greyhounds by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the greyhound to the adopter. The fee for sterilization may be included in the cost of adoption.
History.—s. 12, ch. 2000-354; s. 2, ch. 2004-23.
550.1648 Greyhound adoptions.—
(1) Each dogracing permitholder operating a dogracing facility in this state shall provide for a greyhound adoption booth to be located at the facility. The greyhound adoption booth must be operated on weekends by personnel or volunteers from a bona fide organization that promotes or encourages the adoption of greyhounds pursuant to s. 550.1647. As used in this section, the term “weekend” includes the hours during which live greyhound racing is conducted on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Information pamphlets and application forms shall be provided to the public upon request. In addition, the kennel operator or owner shall notify the permitholder that a greyhound is available for adoption and the permitholder shall provide information concerning the adoption of a greyhound in each race program and shall post adoption information at conspicuous locations throughout the dogracing facility. Any greyhound that is participating in a race and that will be available for future adoption must be noted in the race program. The permitholder shall allow greyhounds to be walked through the track facility to publicize the greyhound adoption program.
(2) In addition to the charity days authorized under s. 550.0351, a greyhound permitholder may fund the greyhound adoption program by holding a charity racing day designated as “Greyhound Adopt-A-Pet Day.” All profits derived from the operation of the charity day must be placed into a fund used to support activities at the racing facility which promote the adoption of greyhounds. The division may adopt rules for administering the fund. Proceeds from the charity day authorized in this subsection may not be used as a source of funds for the purposes set forth in s. 550.1647.
(3)(a) Upon a violation of this section by a permitholder or licensee, the division may impose a penalty as provided in s. 550.0251(10) and require the permitholder to take corrective action.
(b) A penalty imposed under s. 550.0251(10) does not exclude a prosecution for cruelty to animals or for any other criminal act.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-23.
550.175 Petition for election to revoke permit.—Upon petition of 20 percent of the qualified electors of any county wherein any racing has been licensed and conducted under this chapter, the county commissioners of such county shall provide for the submission to the electors of such county at the then next succeeding general election the question of whether any permit or permits theretofore granted shall be continued or revoked, and if a majority of the electors voting on such question in such election vote to cancel or recall the permit theretofore given, the division may not thereafter grant any license on the permit so recalled. Every signature upon every recall petition must be signed in the presence of the clerk of the board of county commissioners at the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county, and the petitioner must present at the time of such signing her or his registration receipt showing the petitioner’s qualification as an elector of the county at the time of the signing of the petition. Not more than one permit may be included in any one petition; and, in all elections in which the recall of more than one permit is voted on, the voters shall be given an opportunity to vote for or against the recall of each permit separately. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the holding of later referendum or recall elections.
History.—s. 23, ch. 92-348; s. 787, ch. 97-103.
550.1815 Certain persons prohibited from holding racing or jai alai permits; suspension and revocation.—
(1) A corporation, general or limited partnership, sole proprietorship, business trust, joint venture, or unincorporated association, or other business entity may not hold any horseracing or dogracing permit or jai alai fronton permit in this state if any one of the persons or entities specified in paragraph (a) has been determined by the division not to be of good moral character or has been convicted of any offense specified in paragraph (b).
(a)1. The permitholder;
2. An employee of the permitholder;
3. The sole proprietor of the permitholder;
4. A corporate officer or director of the permitholder;
5. A general partner of the permitholder;
6. A trustee of the permitholder;
7. A member of an unincorporated association permitholder;
8. A joint venturer of the permitholder;
9. The owner of more than 5 percent of any equity interest in the permitholder, whether as a common shareholder, general or limited partner, voting trustee, or trust beneficiary; or
10. An owner of any interest in the permit or permitholder, including any immediate family member of the owner, or holder of any debt, mortgage, contract, or concession from the permitholder, who by virtue thereof is able to control the business of the permitholder.
(b)1. A felony in this state;
2. Any felony in any other state which would be a felony if committed in this state under the laws of this state;
3. Any felony under the laws of the United States;
4. A felony under the laws of another state if related to gambling which would be a felony under the laws of this state if committed in this state; or
5. Bookmaking as defined in s. 849.25.
(2)(a) If the applicant for permit as specified under subsection (1) or a permitholder as specified in paragraph (1)(a) has received a full pardon or a restoration of civil rights with respect to the conviction specified in paragraph (1)(b), the conviction does not constitute an absolute bar to the issuance or renewal of a permit or a ground for the revocation or suspension of a permit.
(b) A corporation that has been convicted of a felony is entitled to apply for and receive a restoration of its civil rights in the same manner and on the same grounds as an individual.
(3) After notice and hearing, the division shall refuse to issue or renew or shall suspend, as appropriate, any permit found in violation of subsection (1). The order shall become effective 120 days after service of the order upon the permitholder and shall be amended to constitute a final order of revocation unless the permitholder has, within that period of time, either caused the divestiture, or agreed with the convicted person upon a complete immediate divestiture, of her or his holding, or has petitioned the circuit court as provided in subsection (4) or, in the case of corporate officers or directors of the holder or employees of the holder, has terminated the relationship between the permitholder and those persons mentioned. The division may, by order, extend the 120-day period for divestiture, upon good cause shown, to avoid interruption of any jai alai or race meeting or to otherwise effectuate this section. If no action has been taken by the permitholder within the 120-day period following the issuance of the order of suspension, the division shall, without further notice or hearing, enter a final order of revocation of the permit. When any permitholder or sole proprietor of a permitholder is convicted of an offense specified in paragraph (1)(b), the department may approve a transfer of the permit to a qualified applicant, upon a finding that revocation of the permit would impair the state’s revenue from the operation of the permit or otherwise be detrimental to the interests of the state in the regulation of the industry of pari-mutuel wagering. In such approval, no public referendum is required, notwithstanding any other provision of law. A petition for transfer after conviction must be filed with the department within 30 days after service upon the permitholder of the final order of revocation. The timely filing of such a petition automatically stays any revocation order until further order of the department.
(4) The circuit courts have jurisdiction to decide a petition brought by a holder of a pari-mutuel permit that shows that its permit is in jeopardy of suspension or revocation under subsection (3) and that it is unable to agree upon the terms of divestiture of interest with the person specified in subparagraphs (1)(a)3.-9. who has been convicted of an offense specified in paragraph (1)(b). The court shall determine the reasonable value of the interest of the convicted person and order a divestiture upon such terms and conditions as it finds just. In determining the value of the interest of the convicted person, the court may consider, among other matters, the value of the assets of the permitholder, its good will and value as a going concern, recent and expected future earnings, and other criteria usual and customary in the sale of like enterprises.
(5) The division shall make such rules for the photographing, fingerprinting, and obtaining of personal data of individuals described in paragraph (1)(a) and the obtaining of such data regarding the business entities described in paragraph (1)(a) as is necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section.
History.—s. 24, ch. 92-348; s. 29, ch. 97-98; s. 788, ch. 97-103.
550.235 Conniving to prearrange result of race or jai alai game; using medication or drugs on horse or dog; penalty.—
(1) Any person who influences, or has any understanding or connivance with, any owner, jockey, groom, or other person associated with or interested in any stable, kennel, horserace, dograce, or jai alai game, in which any horse, dog, or jai alai player participates, to prearrange or predetermine the results of any such race or game, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(2) Any person who attempts to affect the outcome of a horserace or dograce through administration of medication or drugs to a race animal as prohibited by law; who administers any medication or drugs prohibited by law to a race animal for the purpose of affecting the outcome of a horserace or dograce; or who conspires to administer or to attempt to administer such medication or drugs is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 25, ch. 92-348; s. 30, ch. 97-98.
550.24055 Use of controlled substances or alcohol prohibited; testing of certain occupational licensees; penalty; evidence of test or action taken and admissibility for criminal prosecution limited.—
(1) The use of a controlled substance as defined in chapter 893 or of alcohol by any occupational licensees officiating at or participating in a race or jai alai game is prohibited.
(2) The occupational licensees, by applying for and holding such licenses, are deemed to have given their consents to submit to an approved chemical test of their breath for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of their blood and to a urine or blood test for the purpose of detecting the presence of controlled substances. Such tests shall only be conducted upon reasonable cause that a violation has occurred as shall be determined solely by the stewards at a horseracing meeting or the judges or board of judges at a dogtrack or jai alai meet. The failure to submit to such test may result in a suspension of the person’s occupational license for a period of 10 days or until this section has been complied with, whichever is longer.
(a) If there was at the time of the test 0.05 percent or less by weight of alcohol in the person’s blood, the person is presumed not to have been under the influence of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the person’s normal faculties were impaired, and no action of any sort may be taken by the stewards, judges, or board of judges or the division.
(b) If there was at the time of the test an excess of 0.05 percent but less than 0.08 percent by weight of alcohol in the person’s blood, that fact does not give rise to any presumption that the person was or was not under the influence of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the person’s faculties were impaired, but the stewards, judges, or board of judges may consider that fact in determining whether or not the person will be allowed to officiate or participate in any given race or jai alai game.
(c) If there was at the time of the test 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person’s blood, that fact is prima facie evidence that the person was under the influence of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the person’s normal faculties were impaired, and the stewards or judges may take action as set forth in this section, but the person may not officiate at or participate in any race or jai alai game on the day of such test.
All tests relating to alcohol must be performed in a manner substantially similar, or identical, to the provisions of s. 316.1934 and rules adopted pursuant to that section. Following a test of the urine or blood to determine the presence of a controlled substance as defined in chapter 893, if a controlled substance is found to exist, the stewards, judges, or board of judges may take such action as is permitted in this section.
(3) A violation of subsection (2) is subject to the following penalties:
(a) For the first violation, the stewards, judges, or board of judges may suspend a licensee for up to 10 days or in the alternative may impose a civil fine of up to $500 in lieu of a suspension.
(b) For a second violation within 1 year after the first violation the stewards, judges, or board of judges may suspend a licensee for up to 30 days and in addition to or in lieu of suspension may impose a civil fine of up to $2,000.
In lieu of or in addition to the foregoing penalties, the stewards, judges, or board of judges may require the licensee to participate in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program and to be retested.
(c) If the second violation occurred within 1 year after the first violation, then upon the finding of a third violation of this section within 1 year after the second violation, the stewards, judges, or board of judges may suspend the licensee for up to 120 days; and the stewards, judges, or board of judges shall forward the results of the tests under paragraphs (a) and (b) and this violation to the division. In addition to the action taken by the stewards, judges, or board of judges, the division, after a hearing, may deny, suspend, or revoke the occupational license of the licensee and may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 in addition to, or in lieu of, a suspension or revocation, it being the intent of the Legislature that the division shall have no authority over the enforcement of this section until a licensee has committed the third violation within 2 years after the first violation.
(4) The provisions of s. 120.80(4)(a) apply to all actions taken by the stewards, judges, or board of judges pursuant to this section without regard to the limitation contained therein.
(5) This section does not apply to the possession and use of controlled or chemical substances that are prescribed as part of the care and treatment of a disease or injury by a practitioner licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, part I of chapter 464, or chapter 466.
(6) Evidence of any test or actions taken by the stewards, judges, or board of judges or the division under this section is inadmissible for any purpose in any court for criminal prosecution, it being the intent of the Legislature to provide a method and means by which the health, safety, and welfare of those officiating at or participating in a race meet or a jai alai game are sufficiently protected. However, this subsection does not prohibit any person so authorized from pursuing an independent investigation as a result of a ruling made by the stewards, judges, or board of judges, or the division.
History.—s. 26, ch. 92-348; s. 26, ch. 96-330; s. 249, ch. 96-410; s. 138, ch. 2000-318; s. 24, ch. 2000-354.
550.2415 Racing of animals under certain conditions prohibited; penalties; exceptions.—
(1)(a) The racing of an animal that has been impermissibly medicated or determined to have a prohibited substance present is prohibited. It is a violation of this section for a person to impermissibly medicate an animal or for an animal to have a prohibited substance present resulting in a positive test for such medications or substances based on samples taken from the animal before or immediately after the racing of that animal. Test results and the identities of the animals being tested and of their trainers and owners of record are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and from s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution for 10 days after testing of all samples collected on a particular day has been completed and any positive test results derived from such samples have been reported to the director of the division or administrative action has been commenced.
(b) It is a violation of this section for a race-day specimen to contain a level of a naturally occurring substance which exceeds normal physiological concentrations. The division may solicit input from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and adopt rules that specify normal physiological concentrations of naturally occurring substances in the natural untreated animal and rules that specify acceptable levels of environmental contaminants and trace levels of substances in test samples.
(c) The finding of a prohibited substance in a race-day specimen constitutes prima facie evidence that the substance was administered and was carried in the body of the animal while participating in the race.
(2) Administrative action may be taken by the division against an occupational licensee responsible pursuant to rule of the division for the condition of an animal that has been impermissibly medicated or drugged in violation of this section.
(3)(a) Upon the finding of a violation of this section, the division may revoke or suspend the license or permit of the violator or deny a license or permit to the violator; impose a fine against the violator in an amount not exceeding the purse or sweepstakes earned by the animal in the race at issue or $10,000, whichever is greater; require the full or partial return of the purse, sweepstakes, and trophy of the race at issue; or impose against the violator any combination of such penalties. The finding of a violation of this section does not prohibit a prosecution for criminal acts committed.
(b) The division, notwithstanding chapter 120, may summarily suspend the license of an occupational licensee responsible under this section or division rule for the condition of a race animal if the division laboratory reports the presence of a prohibited substance in the animal or its blood, urine, saliva, or any other bodily fluid, either before a race in which the animal is entered or after a race the animal has run.
(c) If an occupational licensee is summarily suspended under this section, the division shall offer the licensee a prompt postsuspension hearing within 72 hours, at which the division shall produce the laboratory report and documentation which, on its face, establishes the responsibility of the occupational licensee. Upon production of the documentation, the occupational licensee has the burden of proving his or her lack of responsibility.
(d) Any proceeding for administrative action against a licensee or permittee, other than a proceeding under paragraph (c), shall be conducted in compliance with chapter 120.
(4) A prosecution pursuant to this section for a violation of this section must begin within 90 days after the violation was committed. Service of an administrative complaint marks the commencement of administrative action.
(5) The division shall implement a split-sample procedure for testing animals under this section.
(a) The division shall notify the owner or trainer, the stewards, and the appropriate horsemen’s association of all drug test results. If a drug test result is positive, and upon request by the affected trainer or owner of the animal from which the sample was obtained, the division shall send the split sample to an approved independent laboratory for analysis. The division shall establish standards and rules for uniform enforcement and shall maintain a list of at least five approved independent laboratories for an owner or trainer to select from if a drug test result is positive.
(b) If the division laboratory’s findings are not confirmed by the independent laboratory, no further administrative or disciplinary action under this section may be pursued.
(c) If the independent laboratory confirms the division laboratory’s positive result, the division may commence administrative proceedings as prescribed in this chapter and consistent with chapter 120. For purposes of this subsection, the department shall in good faith attempt to obtain a sufficient quantity of the test fluid to allow both a primary test and a secondary test to be made.
(d) For the testing of a racing greyhound, if there is an insufficient quantity of the secondary (split) sample for confirmation of the division laboratory’s positive result, the division may commence administrative proceedings as prescribed in this chapter and consistent with chapter 120.
(e) For the testing of a racehorse, if there is an insufficient quantity of the secondary (split) sample for confirmation of the division laboratory’s positive result, the division may not take further action on the matter against the owner or trainer, and any resulting license suspension must be immediately lifted.
(f) The division shall require its laboratory and the independent laboratories to annually participate in an externally administered quality assurance program designed to assess testing proficiency in the detection and appropriate quantification of medications, drugs, and naturally occurring substances that may be administered to racing animals. The administrator of the quality assurance program shall report its results and findings to the division and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(6)(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that animals that participate in races in this state on which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted and animals that are bred and trained in this state for racing be treated humanely, both on and off racetracks, throughout the lives of the animals.
(b) The division shall, by rule, establish the procedures for euthanizing greyhounds. However, a greyhound may not be put to death by any means other than by lethal injection of the drug sodium pentobarbital. A greyhound may not be removed from this state for the purpose of being destroyed.
(c) It is a violation of this chapter for an occupational licensee to train a greyhound using live or dead animals. A greyhound may not be taken from this state for the purpose of being trained through the use of live or dead animals.
(d) Any act committed by any licensee that would constitute cruelty to animals as defined in s. 828.02 involving any animal constitutes a violation of this chapter. Imposition of any penalty by the division for violation of this chapter or any rule adopted by the division pursuant to this chapter shall not prohibit a criminal prosecution for cruelty to animals.
(e) The division may inspect any area at a pari-mutuel facility where racing animals are raced, trained, housed, or maintained, including any areas where food, medications, or other supplies are kept, to ensure the humane treatment of racing animals and compliance with this chapter and the rules of the division.
(7)(a) In order to protect the safety and welfare of racing animals and the integrity of the races in which the animals participate, the division shall adopt rules establishing the conditions of use and maximum concentrations of medications, drugs, and naturally occurring substances identified in the Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule, Version 2.1, revised April 17, 2014, adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc. Controlled therapeutic medications include only the specific medications and concentrations allowed in biological samples which have been approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., as controlled therapeutic medications.
(b) The division rules must designate the appropriate biological specimens by which the administration of medications, drugs, and naturally occurring substances is monitored and must determine the testing methodologies, including measurement uncertainties, for screening such specimens to confirm the presence of medications, drugs, and naturally occurring substances.
(c) The division rules must include a classification system for drugs and substances and a corresponding penalty schedule for violations which incorporates the Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances, Version 8.0, revised December 2014, by the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc. The division shall adopt laboratory screening limits approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., for drugs and medications that are not included as controlled therapeutic medications, the presence of which in a sample may result in a violation of this section.
(d) The division rules must include conditions for the use of furosemide to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
(e) The division may solicit input from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in adopting the rules required under this subsection. Such rules must be adopted before January 1, 2016.
(f) This section does not prohibit the use of vitamins, minerals, or naturally occurring substances so long as none exceeds the normal physiological concentration in a race-day specimen.
(8) Furosemide is the only medication that may be administered within 24 hours before the officially scheduled post time of a race, but it may not be administered within 4 hours before the officially scheduled post time of a race.
(9)(a) The division may conduct a postmortem examination of any animal that is injured at a permitted racetrack while in training or in competition and that subsequently expires or is destroyed. The division may conduct a postmortem examination of any animal that expires while housed at a permitted racetrack, association compound, or licensed kennel or farm. Trainers and owners shall be requested to comply with this paragraph as a condition of licensure.
(b) The division may take possession of the animal upon death for postmortem examination. The division may submit blood, urine, other bodily fluid specimens, or other tissue specimens collected during a postmortem examination for testing by the division laboratory or its designee. Upon completion of the postmortem examination, the carcass must be returned to the owner or disposed of at the owner’s option.
(10) The presence of a prohibited substance in an animal, found by the division laboratory in a bodily fluid specimen collected after the race or during the postmortem examination of the animal, which breaks down during a race constitutes a violation of this section.
(11) The cost of postmortem examinations, testing, and disposal must be borne by the division.
(12) The division shall adopt rules to implement this section.
(13) The division may implement by rule medication levels for racing greyhounds recommended by the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine developed pursuant to an agreement between the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine may provide written notification to the division that it has completed research or review on a particular drug pursuant to the agreement and when the College of Veterinary Medicine has completed a final report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the division.
History.—s. 27, ch. 92-348; s. 28, ch. 93-120; s. 5, ch. 93-123; s. 1, ch. 95-205; s. 9, ch. 96-364; s. 344, ch. 96-406; s. 1174, ch. 97-103; s. 2, ch. 2002-51; s. 5, ch. 2009-69; s. 11, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29; s. 1, ch. 2015-88.
550.255 Penalty for conducting unauthorized race meeting.—Every race meeting at which racing is conducted for any stake, purse, prize, or premium, except as allowed by this chapter, is prohibited and declared to be a public nuisance, and every person acting or aiding therein or conducting, or attempting to conduct, racing in this state not in conformity with this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.—s. 29, ch. 92-348.
550.2614 Distribution of certain funds to a horsemen’s association.—
(1) Each licensee that holds a permit for thoroughbred horse racing in this state shall deduct from the purses required by s. 550.2625, an amount of money equal to 1 percent of the total purse pool and shall pay that amount to a horsemen’s association representing the majority of the thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers for its use in accordance with the stated goals of its articles of association filed with the Department of State.
(2) The funds are payable to the horsemen’s association only upon presentation of a sworn statement by the officers of the association that the horsemen’s association represents a majority of the owners and trainers of thoroughbred horses stabled in the state.
(3) Upon receiving a state license, each thoroughbred owner and trainer shall receive automatic membership in the horsemen’s association as defined in subsection (1) and be counted on the membership rolls of that association, unless, within 30 calendar days after receipt of license from the state, the individual declines membership in writing, to the association as defined in subsection (1).
(4) The division shall adopt rules to facilitate the orderly transfer of funds in accordance with this section. The division shall also monitor the membership rolls of the horsemen’s association to ensure that complete, accurate, and timely listings are maintained for the purposes specified in this section.
History.—s. 30, ch. 92-348; s. 9, ch. 95-390; s. 31, ch. 97-98.
550.26165 Breeders’ awards.—
(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage the agricultural activity of breeding and training racehorses in this state. Moneys dedicated in this chapter for use as breeders’ awards and stallion awards are to be used for awards to breeders of registered Florida-bred horses winning horseraces and for similar awards to the owners of stallions who sired Florida-bred horses winning stakes races, if the stallions are registered as Florida stallions standing in this state. Such awards shall be given at a uniform rate to all winners of the awards, shall not be greater than 20 percent of the announced gross purse, and shall not be less than 15 percent of the announced gross purse if funds are available. In addition, no less than 17 percent nor more than 40 percent, as determined by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, of the moneys dedicated in this chapter for use as breeders’ awards and stallion awards for thoroughbreds shall be returned pro rata to the permitholders that generated the moneys for special racing awards to be distributed by the permitholders to owners of thoroughbred horses participating in prescribed thoroughbred stakes races, nonstakes races, or both, all in accordance with a written agreement establishing the rate, procedure, and eligibility requirements for such awards entered into by the permitholder, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., except that the plan for the distribution by any permitholder located in the area described in s. 550.615(9) shall be agreed upon by that permitholder, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the association representing a majority of the thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers at that location. Awards for thoroughbred races are to be paid through the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and awards for standardbred races are to be paid through the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. Among other sources specified in this chapter, moneys for thoroughbred breeders’ awards will come from the 0.955 percent of handle for thoroughbred races conducted, received, broadcast, or simulcast under this chapter as provided in s. 550.2625(3). The moneys for quarter horse and harness breeders’ awards will come from the breaks and uncashed tickets on live quarter horse and harness racing performances and 1 percent of handle on intertrack wagering. The funds for these breeders’ awards shall be paid to the respective breeders’ associations by the permitholders conducting the races.
(2) Each breeders’ association shall develop a plan each year that will provide for a uniform rate of payment and procedure for breeders’ and stallion awards. The plan for payment of breeders’ and stallion awards may set a cap on winnings and may limit, exclude, or defer payments on certain classes of races, such as the Florida stallion stakes races, in order to assure that there are adequate revenues to meet the proposed uniform rate. Priority shall be placed on imposing such restrictions in lieu of allowing the uniform rate for breeders’ and stallion awards to be less than 15 percent of the total purse payment. The plan must provide for the maximum possible payments within revenues.
(3) Breeders’ associations shall submit their plans to the division at least 60 days before the beginning of the payment year. The payment year may be a calendar year or any 12-month period, but once established, the yearly base may not be changed except for compelling reasons. Once a plan is approved, the division may not allow the plan to be amended during the year, except for the most compelling reasons.
(4) It is not intended that the funds in the breeders’ association special payment account be allowed to grow excessively, although there is no intent to require that payment each year equal receipts each year. The rate each year shall be adjusted to compensate for changing revenues from year to year.
(5)(a) The awards programs in this chapter, which are intended to encourage thoroughbred breeding and training operations to locate in this state, must be responsive to rapidly changing incentive programs in other states. To attract such operations, it is appropriate to provide greater flexibility to thoroughbred industry participants in this state so that they may design competitive awards programs.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, as part of its annual plan, may:
1. Pay breeders’ awards on horses finishing in first, second, or third place in thoroughbred horse races; pay breeders’ awards that are greater than 20 percent and less than 15 percent of the announced gross purse; and vary the rates for breeders’ awards, based upon the place of finish, class of race, state or country in which the race took place, and the state in which the stallion siring the horse was standing when the horse was conceived;
2. Pay stallion awards on horses finishing in first, second, or third place in thoroughbred horse races; pay stallion awards that are greater than 20 percent and less than 15 percent of the announced gross purse; reduce or eliminate stallion awards to enhance breeders’ awards or awards under subparagraph 3.; and vary the rates for stallion awards, based upon the place of finish, class of race, and state or country in which the race took place; and
3. Pay awards from the funds dedicated for breeders’ awards and stallion awards to owners of registered Florida-bred horses finishing in first, second, or third place in thoroughbred horse races in this state, without regard to any awards paid pursuant to s. 550.2625(6).
(c) Breeders’ awards or stallion awards under this chapter may not be paid on thoroughbred horse races taking place in other states or countries unless agreed to in writing by all thoroughbred permitholders in this state, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc.
History.—s. 31, ch. 92-348; s. 25, ch. 2000-354; s. 1, ch. 2003-295; s. 12, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.2625 Horseracing; minimum purse requirement, Florida breeders’ and owners’ awards.—
(1) The purse structure and the availability of breeder awards are important factors in attracting the entry of well-bred horses in racing meets in this state which in turn helps to produce maximum racing revenues for the state and the counties.
(2) Each permitholder conducting a horserace meet is required to pay from the takeout withheld on pari-mutuel pools a sum for purses in accordance with the type of race performed.
(a) A permitholder conducting a thoroughbred horse race meet under this chapter must pay from the takeout withheld a sum not less than 7.75 percent of all contributions to pari-mutuel pools conducted during the race meet as purses. In addition to the 7.75 percent minimum purse payment, permitholders conducting live thoroughbred performances shall be required to pay as additional purses .625 percent of live handle for performances conducted during the period beginning on January 3 and ending March 16; .225 percent for performances conducted during the period beginning March 17 and ending May 22; and .85 percent for performances conducted during the period beginning May 23 and ending January 2. Except that any thoroughbred permitholder whose total handle on live performances during the 1991-1992 state fiscal year was not greater than $34 million is not subject to this additional purse payment. A permitholder authorized to conduct thoroughbred racing may withhold from the handle an additional amount equal to 1 percent on exotic wagering for use as owners’ awards, and may withhold from the handle an amount equal to 2 percent on exotic wagering for use as overnight purses. No permitholder may withhold in excess of 20 percent from the handle without withholding the amounts set forth in this subsection.
(b)1. A permitholder conducting a harness horse race meet under this chapter must pay to the purse pool from the takeout withheld a purse requirement that totals an amount not less than 8.25 percent of all contributions to pari-mutuel pools conducted during the race meet. An amount not less than 7.75 percent of the total handle shall be paid from this purse pool as purses.
2. An amount not to exceed 0.5 percent of the total handle on all harness horse races that are subject to the purse requirement of subparagraph 1., must be available for use to provide medical, dental, surgical, life, funeral, or disability insurance benefits for occupational licensees who work at tracks in this state at which harness horse races are conducted. Such insurance benefits must be paid from the purse pool specified in subparagraph 1. An annual plan for payment of insurance benefits from the purse pool, including qualifications for eligibility, must be submitted by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association for approval to the division. An annual report of the implemented plan shall be submitted to the division. All records of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association concerning the administration of the plan must be available for audit at the discretion of the division to determine that the plan has been implemented and administered as authorized. If the division finds that the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association has not complied with the provisions of this section, the division may order the association to cease and desist from administering the plan and shall appoint the division as temporary administrator of the plan until the division reestablishes administration of the plan with the association.
(c) A permitholder conducting a quarter horse race meet under this chapter shall pay from the takeout withheld a sum not less than 6 percent of all contributions to pari-mutuel pools conducted during the race meet as purses.
(d) The division shall adopt reasonable rules to ensure the timely and accurate payment of all amounts withheld by horserace permitholders regarding the distribution of purses, owners’ awards, and other amounts collected for payment to owners and breeders. Each permitholder that fails to pay out all moneys collected for payment to owners and breeders shall, within 10 days after the end of the meet during which the permitholder underpaid purses, deposit an amount equal to the underpayment into a separate interest-bearing account to be distributed to owners and breeders in accordance with division rules.
(e) An amount equal to 8.5 percent of the purse account generated through intertrack wagering and interstate simulcasting will be used for Florida Owners’ Awards as set forth in subsection (3). Any thoroughbred permitholder with an average blended takeout which does not exceed 20 percent and with an average daily purse distribution excluding sponsorship, entry fees, and nominations exceeding $225,000 is exempt from the provisions of this paragraph.
(3) Each horseracing permitholder conducting any thoroughbred race under this chapter, including any intertrack race taken pursuant to ss. 550.615-550.6305 or any interstate simulcast taken pursuant to s. 550.3551(3) shall pay a sum equal to 0.955 percent on all pari-mutuel pools conducted during any such race for the payment of breeders’, stallion, or special racing awards as authorized in this chapter. This subsection also applies to all Breeder’s Cup races conducted outside this state taken pursuant to s. 550.3551(3). On any race originating live in this state which is broadcast out-of-state to any location at which wagers are accepted pursuant to s. 550.3551(2), the host track is required to pay 3.475 percent of the gross revenue derived from such out-of-state broadcasts as breeders’, stallion, or special racing awards. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is authorized to receive these payments from the permitholders and make payments of awards earned. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association has the right to withhold up to 10 percent of the permitholder’s payments under this section as a fee for administering the payments of awards and for general promotion of the industry. The permitholder shall remit these payments to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association by the 5th day of each calendar month for such sums accruing during the preceding calendar month and shall report such payments to the division as prescribed by the division. With the exception of the 10-percent fee, the moneys paid by the permitholders shall be maintained in a separate, interest-bearing account, and such payments together with any interest earned shall be used exclusively for the payment of breeders’, stallion, or special racing awards in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) The breeder of each Florida-bred thoroughbred horse winning a thoroughbred horse race is entitled to an award of up to, but not exceeding, 20 percent of the announced gross purse, including nomination fees, eligibility fees, starting fees, supplementary fees, and moneys added by the sponsor of the race.
(b) The owner or owners of the sire of a Florida-bred thoroughbred horse that wins a stakes race is entitled to a stallion award of up to, but not exceeding, 20 percent of the announced gross purse, including nomination fees, eligibility fees, starting fees, supplementary fees, and moneys added by the sponsor of the race.
(c) The owners of thoroughbred horses participating in thoroughbred stakes races, nonstakes races, or both may receive a special racing award in accordance with the agreement established pursuant to s. 550.26165(1).
(d) In order for a breeder of a Florida-bred thoroughbred horse to be eligible to receive a breeder’s award, the horse must have been registered as a Florida-bred horse with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the Jockey Club certificate for the horse must show that it has been duly registered as a Florida-bred horse as evidenced by the seal and proper serial number of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association registry. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association shall be permitted to charge the registrant a reasonable fee for this verification and registration.
(e) In order for an owner of the sire of a thoroughbred horse winning a stakes race to be eligible to receive a stallion award, the stallion must have been registered with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the breeding of the registered Florida-bred horse must have occurred in this state. The stallion must be standing permanently in this state during the period of time between February 1 and June 15 of each year or, if the stallion is dead, must have stood permanently in this state for a period of not less than 1 year immediately prior to its death. The removal of a stallion from this state during the period of time between February 1 and June 15 of any year for any reason, other than exclusively for prescribed medical treatment, as approved by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, renders the owner or owners of the stallion ineligible to receive a stallion award under any circumstances for offspring sired prior to removal; however, if a removed stallion is returned to this state, all offspring sired subsequent to the return make the owner or owners of the stallion eligible for the stallion award but only for those offspring sired subsequent to such return to this state. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association shall maintain complete records showing the date the stallion arrived in this state for the first time, whether or not the stallion remained in the state permanently, the location of the stallion, and whether the stallion is still standing in this state and complete records showing awards earned, received, and distributed. The association may charge the owner, owners, or breeder a reasonable fee for this service.
(f) A permitholder conducting a thoroughbred horse race under the provisions of this chapter shall, within 30 days after the end of the race meet during which the race is conducted, certify to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association such information relating to the thoroughbred horses winning a stakes or other horserace at the meet as may be required to determine the eligibility for payment of breeders’, stallion, and special racing awards.
(g) The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association shall maintain complete records showing the starters and winners in all races conducted at thoroughbred tracks in this state; shall maintain complete records showing awards earned, received, and distributed; and may charge the owner, owners, or breeder a reasonable fee for this service.
(h) The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association shall annually establish a uniform rate and procedure for the payment of breeders’ and stallion awards and shall make breeders’ and stallion award payments in strict compliance with the established uniform rate and procedure plan. The plan may set a cap on winnings and may limit, exclude, or defer payments to certain classes of races, such as the Florida stallion stakes races, in order to assure that there are adequate revenues to meet the proposed uniform rate. Such plan must include proposals for the general promotion of the industry. Priority shall be placed upon imposing such restrictions in lieu of allowing the uniform rate to be less than 15 percent of the total purse payment. The uniform rate and procedure plan must be approved by the division before implementation. In the absence of an approved plan and procedure, the authorized rate for breeders’ and stallion awards is 15 percent of the announced gross purse for each race. Such purse must include nomination fees, eligibility fees, starting fees, supplementary fees, and moneys added by the sponsor of the race. If the funds in the account for payment of breeders’ and stallion awards are not sufficient to meet all earned breeders’ and stallion awards, those breeders and stallion owners not receiving payments have first call on any subsequent receipts in that or any subsequent year.
(i) The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association shall keep accurate records showing receipts and disbursements of such payments and shall annually file a full and complete report to the division showing such receipts and disbursements and the sums withheld for administration. The division may audit the records and accounts of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association to determine that payments have been made to eligible breeders and stallion owners in accordance with this section.
(j) If the division finds that the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association has not complied with any provision of this section, the division may order the association to cease and desist from receiving funds and administering funds received under this section. If the division enters such an order, the permitholder shall make the payments authorized in this section to the division for deposit into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund; and any funds in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association account shall be immediately paid to the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering for deposit to the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. The division shall authorize payment from these funds to any breeder or stallion owner entitled to an award that has not been previously paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association in accordance with the applicable rate.
(4) Each permitholder conducting a harness horse race under this chapter shall pay a sum equal to the breaks on all pari-mutuel pools conducted during that race for the payment of breeders’ awards, stallion awards, and stallion stakes and for additional expenditures as authorized in this section. The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association is authorized to receive these payments from the permitholders and make payments as authorized in this subsection. The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association has the right to withhold up to 10 percent of the permitholder’s payments under this section and under s. 550.2633 as a fee for administering these payments. The permitholder shall remit these payments to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association by the 5th day of each calendar month for such sums accruing during the preceding calendar month and shall report such payments to the division as prescribed by the division. With the exception of the 10-percent fee for administering the payments and the use of the moneys authorized by paragraph (j), the moneys paid by the permitholders shall be maintained in a separate, interest-bearing account; and such payments together with any interest earned shall be allocated for the payment of breeders’ awards, stallion awards, stallion stakes, additional purses, and prizes for, and the general promotion of owning and breeding of, Florida-bred standardbred horses. Payment of breeders’ awards and stallion awards shall be made in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) The breeder of each Florida-bred standardbred horse winning a harness horse race is entitled to an award of up to, but not exceeding, 20 percent of the announced gross purse, including nomination fees, eligibility fees, starting fees, supplementary fees, and moneys added by the sponsor of the race.
(b) The owner or owners of the sire of a Florida-bred standardbred horse that wins a stakes race is entitled to a stallion award of up to, but not exceeding, 20 percent of the announced gross purse, including nomination fees, eligibility fees, starting fees, supplementary fees, and moneys added by the sponsor of the race.
(c) In order for a breeder of a Florida-bred standardbred horse to be eligible to receive a breeder’s award, the horse winning the race must have been registered as a Florida-bred horse with the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and a registration certificate under seal for the winning horse must show that the winner has been duly registered as a Florida-bred horse as evidenced by the seal and proper serial number of the United States Trotting Association registry. The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association shall be permitted to charge the registrant a reasonable fee for this verification and registration.
(d) In order for an owner of the sire of a standardbred horse winning a stakes race to be eligible to receive a stallion award, the stallion must have been registered with the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, and the breeding of the registered Florida-bred horse must have occurred in this state. The stallion must be standing permanently in this state or, if the stallion is dead, must have stood permanently in this state for a period of not less than 1 year immediately prior to its death. The removal of a stallion from this state for any reason, other than exclusively for prescribed medical treatment, renders the owner or the owners of the stallion ineligible to receive a stallion award under any circumstances for offspring sired prior to removal; however, if a removed stallion is returned to this state, all offspring sired subsequent to the return make the owner or owners of the stallion eligible for the stallion award but only for those offspring sired subsequent to such return to this state. The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association shall maintain complete records showing the date the stallion arrived in this state for the first time, whether or not the stallion remained in the state permanently, the location of the stallion, and whether the stallion is still standing in this state and complete records showing awards earned, received, and distributed. The association may charge the owner, owners, or breeder a reasonable fee for this service.
(e) A permitholder conducting a harness horse race under this chapter shall, within 30 days after the end of the race meet during which the race is conducted, certify to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association such information relating to the horse winning a stakes or other horserace at the meet as may be required to determine the eligibility for payment of breeders’ awards and stallion awards.
(f) The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association shall maintain complete records showing the starters and winners in all races conducted at harness horse racetracks in this state; shall maintain complete records showing awards earned, received, and distributed; and may charge the owner, owners, or breeder a reasonable fee for this service.
(g) The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association shall annually establish a uniform rate and procedure for the payment of breeders’ awards, stallion awards, stallion stakes, additional purses, and prizes for, and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of, Florida-bred standardbred horses and shall make award payments and allocations in strict compliance with the established uniform rate and procedure. The plan may set a cap on winnings, and may limit, exclude, or defer payments to certain classes of races, such as the Florida Breeders’ stakes races, in order to assure that there are adequate revenues to meet the proposed uniform rate. Priority shall be placed on imposing such restrictions in lieu of allowing the uniform rate allocated to payment of breeder and stallion awards to be less than 10 percent of the total purse payment. The uniform rate and procedure must be approved by the division before implementation. In the absence of an approved plan and procedure, the authorized rate for breeders’ and stallion awards is 10 percent of the announced gross purse for each race. Such purse must include nomination fees, eligibility fees, starting fees, supplementary fees, and moneys added by the sponsor of the race. If the funds in the account for payment of breeders’ and stallion awards are not sufficient to meet all earned breeders’ and stallion awards, those breeders and stallion owners not receiving payments have first call on any subsequent receipts in that or any subsequent year.
(h) The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association shall keep accurate records showing receipts and disbursements of such payments and shall annually file a full and complete report to the division showing such receipts and disbursements and the sums withheld for administration. The division may audit the records and accounts of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to determine that payments have been made to eligible breeders, stallion owners, and owners of Florida-bred standardbred horses in accordance with this section.
(i) If the division finds that the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association has not complied with any provision of this section, the division may order the association to cease and desist from receiving funds and administering funds received under this section and under s. 550.2633. If the division enters such an order, the permitholder shall make the payments authorized in this section and s. 550.2633 to the division for deposit into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund; and any funds in the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association account shall be immediately paid to the division for deposit to the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. The division shall authorize payment from these funds to any breeder, stallion owner, or owner of a Florida-bred standardbred horse entitled to an award that has not been previously paid by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association in accordance with the applicable rate.
(j) The board of directors of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association may authorize the release of up to 25 percent of the funds available for breeders’ awards, stallion awards, stallion stakes, additional purses, and prizes for, and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of, Florida-bred standardbred horses to be used for purses for, and promotion of, Florida-bred standardbred horses at race meetings at which there is no pari-mutuel wagering unless, and to the extent that, such release would render the funds available for such awards insufficient to pay the breeders’ and stallion awards earned pursuant to the annual plan of the association. Any such funds so released and used for purses are not considered to be an “announced gross purse” as that term is used in paragraphs (a) and (b), and no breeders’ or stallion awards, stallion stakes, or owner awards are required to be paid for standardbred horses winning races in meetings at which there is no pari-mutuel wagering. The amount of purses to be paid from funds so released and the meets eligible to receive such funds for purses must be approved by the board of directors of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.
(5)(a) Except as provided in subsections (7) and (8), each permitholder conducting a quarter horse race meet under this chapter shall pay a sum equal to the breaks plus a sum equal to 1 percent of all pari-mutuel pools conducted during that race for supplementing and augmenting purses and prizes and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of racing quarter horses in this state as authorized in this section. The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association is authorized to receive these payments from the permitholders and make payments as authorized in this subsection. The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., referred to in this chapter as the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association, has the right to withhold up to 10 percent of the permitholder’s payments under this section and under s. 550.2633 as a fee for administering these payments. The permitholder shall remit these payments to the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association by the 5th day of each calendar month for such sums accruing during the preceding calendar month and shall report such payments to the division as prescribed by the division. With the exception of the 5-percent fee for administering the payments, the moneys paid by the permitholders shall be maintained in a separate, interest-bearing account.
(b) The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association shall use these funds solely for supplementing and augmenting purses and prizes and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of racing quarter horses in this state and for general administration of the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., in this state.
(c) In order for an owner or breeder of a Florida-bred quarter horse to be eligible to receive an award, the horse winning a race must have been registered as a Florida-bred horse with the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association and a registration certificate under seal for the winning horse must show that the winning horse has been duly registered prior to the race as a Florida-bred horse as evidenced by the seal and proper serial number of the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association registry. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is authorized to assist the association in maintaining this registry. The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association may charge the registrant a reasonable fee for this verification and registration. Any person who registers unqualified horses or misrepresents information in any way shall be denied any future participation in breeders’ awards, and all horses misrepresented will no longer be deemed to be Florida-bred.
(d) A permitholder conducting a quarter horse race under a quarter horse permit under this chapter shall, within 30 days after the end of the race meet during which the race is conducted, certify to the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association such information relating to the horse winning a stakes or other horserace at the meet as may be required to determine the eligibility for payment of breeders’ awards under this section.
(e) The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association shall maintain complete records showing the starters and winners in all quarter horse races conducted under quarter horse permits in this state; shall maintain complete records showing awards earned, received, and distributed; and may charge the owner, owners, or breeder a reasonable fee for this service.
(f) The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association shall keep accurate records showing receipts and disbursements of payments made under this section and shall annually file a full and complete report to the division showing such receipts and disbursements and the sums withheld for administration. The division may audit the records and accounts of the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association to determine that payments have been made in accordance with this section.
(g) The Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association shall annually establish a plan for supplementing and augmenting purses and prizes and for the general promotion of owning and breeding Florida-bred racing quarter horses and shall make award payments and allocations in strict compliance with the annual plan. The annual plan must be approved by the division before implementation. If the funds in the account for payment of purses and prizes are not sufficient to meet all purses and prizes to be awarded, those breeders and owners not receiving payments have first call on any subsequent receipts in that or any subsequent year.
(h) If the division finds that the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association has not complied with any provision of this section, the division may order the association to cease and desist from receiving funds and administering funds received under this section and s. 550.2633. If the division enters such an order, the permitholder shall make the payments authorized in this section and s. 550.2633 to the division for deposit into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund, and any funds in the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association account shall be immediately paid to the division for deposit to the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. The division shall authorize payment from these funds to any breeder or owner of a quarter horse entitled to an award that has not been previously paid by the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association in accordance with this section.
(6)(a) The takeout may be used for the payment of awards to owners of registered Florida-bred horses placing first in a claiming race, an allowance race, a maiden special race, or a stakes race in which the announced purse, exclusive of entry and starting fees and added moneys, does not exceed $40,000.
(b) The permitholder shall determine for each qualified race the amount of the owners’ award for which a registered Florida-bred horse will be eligible. The amount of the available owners’ award shall be established in the same manner in which purses are established and shall be published in the condition book for the period during which the race is to be conducted. No single award may exceed 50 percent of the gross purse for the race won.
(c) If the moneys generated under paragraph (a) during the meet exceed the owners’ awards earned during the meet, the excess funds shall be held in a separate interest-bearing account, and the total interest and principal shall be used to increase the owners’ awards during the permitholder’s next meet.
(d) Breeders’ awards authorized by subsections (3) and (4) may not be paid on owners’ awards.
(e) This subsection governs owners’ awards paid on thoroughbred horse races only in this state, unless a written agreement is filed with the division establishing the rate, procedures, and eligibility requirements for owners’ awards, including place of finish, class of race, maximum purse, and maximum award, and the agreement is entered into by the permitholder, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the association representing a majority of the racehorse owners and trainers at the permitholder’s location.
(7)(a) Each permitholder that conducts race meets under this chapter and runs Appaloosa races shall pay to the division a sum equal to the breaks plus a sum equal to 1 percent of the total contributions to each pari-mutuel pool conducted on each Appaloosa race. The payments shall be remitted to the division by the 5th day of each calendar month for sums accruing during the preceding calendar month.
(b) The division shall deposit these collections to the credit of the General Inspection Trust Fund in a special account to be known as the “Florida Appaloosa Racing Promotion Account.” The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall administer the funds and adopt suitable and reasonable rules for the administration thereof. The moneys in the Florida Appaloosa Racing Promotion Account shall be allocated solely for supplementing and augmenting purses and prizes and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of racing Appaloosas in this state; and the moneys may not be used to defray any expense of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the administration of this chapter.
(8) Each permitholder that conducts race meets under this chapter and runs Arabian horse races shall pay to the division a sum equal to the breaks plus a sum equal to 1 percent of the total contributions to each pari-mutuel pool conducted on each Arabian horse race. The payments shall be remitted to the division by the 5th day of each calendar month for sums accruing during the preceding calendar month.
History.—s. 32, ch. 92-348; s. 4, ch. 93-123; s. 10, ch. 95-390; ss. 10, 26, ch. 96-364; ss. 5, 6, ch. 98-190; ss. 1, 6, ch. 98-217; s. 55, ch. 2000-154; s. 26, ch. 2000-354; s. 20, ch. 2001-279; s. 83, ch. 2002-1; s. 2, ch. 2003-295; s. 5, ch. 2006-79; s. 13, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29; s. 43, ch. 2013-226.
550.2633 Horseracing; distribution of abandoned interest in or contributions to pari-mutuel pools.—
(1) All moneys or other property represented by any unclaimed, uncashed, or abandoned pari-mutuel ticket which has remained in the custody of or under the control of any horseracing permitholder authorized to conduct pari-mutuel pools in this state for a period of 1 year after the date the pari-mutuel ticket was issued, when the rightful owner or owners thereof have made no claim or demand for such money or other property within that period, is hereby declared to have escheated to or to escheat to, and to have become the property of, the state.
(2) All moneys or other property which has escheated to and become the property of the state as provided herein and which is held by a permitholder authorized to conduct pari-mutuel pools in this state shall be paid annually by the permitholder to the recipient designated in this subsection within 60 days after the close of the race meeting of the permitholder. Section 550.1645 notwithstanding, the moneys shall be paid by the permitholder as follows:
(a) Funds from any harness horse races shall be paid to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and shall be used for the payment of breeders’ awards, stallion awards, stallion stakes, additional purses, and prizes for, and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of, Florida-bred standardbred horses, as provided for in s. 550.2625.
(b) Funds from quarter horse races shall be paid to the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association and shall be allocated solely for supplementing and augmenting purses and prizes and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of racing quarter horses in this state, as provided for in s. 550.2625.
(3) Uncashed tickets and breaks on live racing conducted by thoroughbred permitholders shall be retained by the permitholder conducting the live race.
History.—s. 33, ch. 92-348; s. 26, ch. 2001-63; s. 21, ch. 2001-279; s. 84, ch. 2002-1; s. 6, ch. 2006-79; s. 44, ch. 2013-226.
550.26352 Breeders’ Cup Meet; pools authorized; conflicts; taxes; credits; transmission of races; rules; application.—
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, there is hereby created a special thoroughbred race meet which shall be designated as the “Breeders’ Cup Meet.” The Breeders’ Cup Meet shall be conducted at the facility of the Florida permitholder selected by Breeders’ Cup Limited to conduct the Breeders’ Cup Meet. The Breeders’ Cup Meet shall consist of 3 days: the day on which the Breeders’ Cup races are conducted, the preceding day, and the subsequent day. Upon the selection of the Florida permitholder as host for the Breeders’ Cup Meet and application by the selected permitholder, the division shall issue a license to the selected permitholder to operate the Breeders’ Cup Meet. Notwithstanding s. 550.09515(2)(a), the Breeders’ Cup Meet may be conducted on dates which the selected permitholder is not otherwise authorized to conduct a race meet.
(2) The permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet is specifically authorized to create pari-mutuel pools during the Breeders’ Cup Meet by accepting pari-mutuel wagers on the thoroughbred horse races run during said meet.
(3) If the permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet is located within 35 miles of one or more permitholders scheduled to conduct a thoroughbred race meet on any of the 3 days of the Breeders’ Cup Meet, then operation on any of those 3 days by the other permitholders is prohibited. As compensation for the loss of racing days caused thereby, such operating permitholders shall receive a credit against the taxes otherwise due and payable to the state under ss. 550.0951 and 550.09515. This credit shall be in an amount equal to the operating loss determined to have been suffered by the operating permitholders as a result of not operating on the prohibited racing days, but shall not exceed a total of $950,000. The determination of the amount to be credited shall be made by the division upon application by the operating permitholder. The tax credits provided in this subsection shall not be available unless an operating permitholder is required to close a bona fide meet consisting in part of no fewer than 10 scheduled performances in the 15 days immediately preceding or 10 scheduled performances in the 15 days immediately following the Breeders’ Cup Meet. Such tax credit shall be in lieu of any other compensation or consideration for the loss of racing days. There shall be no replacement or makeup of any lost racing days.
(4) Notwithstanding any provision of ss. 550.0951 and 550.09515, the permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall pay no taxes on the handle included within the pari-mutuel pools of said permitholder during the Breeders’ Cup Meet.
(5) The permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall receive a credit against the taxes otherwise due and payable to the state under ss. 550.0951 and 550.09515 generated during said permitholder’s next ensuing regular thoroughbred race meet. This credit shall be in an amount not to exceed $950,000 and shall be utilized by the permitholder to pay the purses offered by the permitholder during the Breeders’ Cup Meet in excess of the purses which the permitholder is otherwise required by law to pay. The amount to be credited shall be determined by the division upon application of the permitholder which is subject to audit by the division.
(6) The permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall receive a credit against the taxes otherwise due and payable to the state under ss. 550.0951 and 550.09515 generated during said permitholder’s next ensuing regular thoroughbred race meet. This credit shall be in an amount not to exceed $950,000 and shall be utilized by the permitholder for such capital improvements and extraordinary expenses as may be necessary for operation of the Breeders’ Cup Meet. The amount to be credited shall be determined by the division upon application of the permitholder which is subject to audit by the division.
(7) The permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall be exempt from the payment of purses and other payments to horsemen on all on-track, intertrack, interstate, and international wagers or rights fees or payments arising therefrom for all races for which the purse is paid or supplied by Breeders’ Cup Limited. The permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall not, however, be exempt from breeders’ awards payments for on-track and intertrack wagers as provided in ss. 550.2625(3) and 550.625(2)(a) for races in which the purse is paid or supplied by Breeders’ Cup Limited.
(8)(a) Pursuant to s. 550.3551(2), the permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet is authorized to transmit broadcasts of the races conducted during the Breeders’ Cup Meet to locations outside of this state for wagering purposes. The division may approve broadcasts to pari-mutuel permitholders and other betting systems authorized under the laws of any other state or country. Wagers accepted by any out-of-state pari-mutuel permitholder or betting system on any races broadcast under this section may be, but are not required to be, commingled with the pari-mutuel pools of the permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet. The calculation of any payoff on national pari-mutuel pools with commingled wagers may be performed by the permitholder’s totalisator contractor at a location outside of this state. Pool amounts from wagers placed at pari-mutuel facilities or other betting systems in foreign countries before being commingled with the pari-mutuel pool of the Florida permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall be calculated by the totalisator contractor and transferred to the commingled pool in United States currency in cycles customarily used by the permitholder. Pool amounts from wagers placed at any foreign pari-mutuel facility or other betting system shall not be commingled with a Florida pool until a determination is made by the division that the technology utilized by the totalisator contractor is adequate to assure commingled pools will result in the calculation of accurate payoffs to Florida bettors. Any totalisator contractor at a location outside of this state shall comply with the provisions of s. 550.495 relating to totalisator licensing.
(b) The permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet is authorized to transmit broadcasts of the races conducted during the Breeders’ Cup Meet to other pari-mutuel facilities located in this state for wagering purposes; however, the permitholder conducting the Breeders’ Cup Meet shall not be required to transmit broadcasts to any pari-mutuel facility located within 25 miles of the facility at which the Breeders’ Cup Meet is conducted.
(9) The exemption from the tax credits provided in subsections (5) and (6) shall not be granted and shall not be claimed by the permitholder until an audit is completed by the division. The division is required to complete the audit within 30 days of receipt of the necessary documentation from the permitholder to verify the permitholder’s claim for tax credits. If the documentation submitted by the permitholder is incomplete or is insufficient to document the permitholder’s claim for tax credits, the division may request such additional documentation as is necessary to complete the audit. Upon receipt of the division’s written request for additional documentation, the 30-day time limitation will commence anew.
(10) The division is authorized to adopt such rules as are necessary to facilitate the conduct of the Breeders’ Cup Meet as authorized in this section. Included within this grant of authority shall be the adoption or waiver of rules regarding the overall conduct of racing during the Breeders’ Cup Meet so as to ensure the integrity of the races, licensing for all participants, special stabling and training requirements for foreign horses, commingling of pari-mutuel pools, and audit requirements for tax credits and other benefits.
(11) Any dispute between the division and any permitholder regarding the tax credits authorized under subsection (3), subsection (5), or subsection (6) shall be determined by a hearing officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings under the provisions of s. 120.57(1).
(12) The provisions of this section shall prevail over any conflicting provisions of this chapter.
History.—s. 3, ch. 93-123; s. 11, ch. 96-364; s. 19, ch. 2000-354.
550.2704 Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet.—
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, there is hereby created a special jai alai meet which shall be designated as the “Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet” and which shall be hosted by the Florida jai alai permitholders selected by the National Association of Jai Alai Frontons, Inc., to conduct such meet. The meet shall consist of three qualifying performances and a final performance, each of which is to be conducted on different days. Upon the selection of the Florida permitholders for the meet, and upon application by the selected permitholders, the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering shall issue a license to each of the selected permitholders to operate the meet. The meet may be conducted during a season in which the permitholders selected to conduct the meet are not otherwise authorized to conduct a meet. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Florida permitholder who is to conduct a performance which is a part of the Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet shall not be required to apply for the license for said meet if it is to be run during the regular season for which such permitholder has a license.
(2) Qualifying performances and the final performance of the tournament shall be held at different locations throughout the state, and the permitholders selected shall be under different ownership to the extent possible.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, each of the permitholders licensed to conduct performances comprising the Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet shall pay no taxes on handle under s. 550.0951 or s. 550.09511 for any performance conducted by such permitholder as part of the Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to a maximum of four performances.
(4) The Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet permitholders shall also receive a credit against the taxes, otherwise due and payable under s. 550.0951 or s. 550.09511, generated during said permitholders’ current regular meet. This credit shall be in the aggregate amount of $150,000, shall be prorated equally between the permitholders, and shall be utilized by the permitholders solely to supplement awards for the performance conducted during the Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet. All awards shall be paid to the tournament’s participating players no later than 30 days following the conclusion of said Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet.
(5) In addition to the credit authorized in subsection (4), the Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet permitholders shall receive a credit against the taxes, otherwise due and payable under s. 550.0951 or s. 550.09511, generated during said permitholders’ current regular meet, in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of $150,000, which shall be prorated equally between the permitholders, and shall be utilized by the permitholders for such capital improvements and extraordinary expenses, including marketing expenses, as may be necessary for the operation of the meet. The determination of the amount to be credited shall be made by the division upon application of said permitholders.
(6) The permitholder shall be entitled to said permitholder’s pro rata share of the $150,000 tax credit provided in subsection (5) without having to make application, so long as appropriate documentation to substantiate said expenditures thereunder is provided to the division within 30 days following said Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet.
(7) No Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet shall exceed 4 days in any state fiscal year, and no more than one performance shall be conducted on any one day of the meet. There shall be only one Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet in any state fiscal year.
(8) The division is authorized to adopt such rules as are necessary to facilitate the conduct of the Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet as authorized in this section. Included within this grant of authority shall be the adoption of rules regarding the overall conduct of the tournament so as to ensure the integrity of the event, licensing for participants, commingling of pari-mutuel pools, and audit requirements for tax credits and exemptions.
(9) The provisions of this section shall prevail over any conflicting provisions of this chapter.
History.—s. 4, ch. 94-328.
550.285 Obtaining feed or other supplies for racehorses or greyhound racing dogs with intent to defraud.—
(1) Any owner, trainer, or custodian of any horse or dog that is being used, or is being bred, raised, or trained to be used in racing at a pari-mutuel facility who obtains food, drugs, transportation, veterinary services, or supplies for the use or benefit of the horse or dog, with intent to defraud the person from whom the food, drugs, transportation, veterinary services, or supplies are obtained, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) In prosecutions under this section, proof that the food, drugs, transportation, veterinary services, or supplies had been furnished and not paid for, and that the owner, trainer, or custodian of the horse or dog was removing or attempting to remove any horse or dog out of the state and beyond the jurisdiction of the courts of this state, is prima facie evidence of intent to defraud under this section.
History.—s. 36, ch. 92-348.
550.334 Quarter horse racing; substitutions.—
(1) The operator of any licensed racetrack is authorized to lease such track to any quarter horse racing permitholder located within 35 miles of such track for the conduct of quarter horse racing under this chapter. However, a quarter horse facility located in a county where a referendum was conducted to authorize slot machines pursuant to s. 23, Art. X of the State Constitution is not subject to the mileage restriction if they lease from a licensed racetrack located within a county where a referendum was conducted to authorize slot machines pursuant to s. 23, Art. X of the State Constitution.
(2) All other provisions of this chapter, including s. 550.054, apply to, govern, and control such racing, and the same must be conducted in compliance therewith.
(3) Quarter horses participating in such races must be duly registered by the American Quarter Horse Association, and before each race such horses must be examined and declared in fit condition by a qualified person designated by the division.
(4) Any quarter horse racing days permitted under this chapter are in addition to any other racing permitted under the license issued the track where such quarter horse racing is conducted.
(5) Any quarter horse racing permitholder operating under a valid permit issued by the division is authorized to substitute races of other breeds of horses which are, respectively, registered with the American Paint Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club, Arabian Horse Registry of America, Palomino Horse Breeders of America, United States Trotting Association, Florida Cracker Horse Association, or Jockey Club for no more than 50 percent of the quarter horse races during its meet.
(6) Except as provided in s. 550.3345, a quarter horse permit issued pursuant to this section is not eligible for transfer or conversion to another type of pari-mutuel operation.
(7) Any nonprofit corporation, including, but not limited to, an agricultural cooperative marketing association, organized and incorporated under the laws of this state may apply for a quarter horse racing permit and operate racing meets under such permit, provided all pari-mutuel taxes and fees applicable to such racing are paid by the corporation. However, insofar as its pari-mutuel operations are concerned, the corporation shall be considered to be a corporation for profit and is subject to taxation on all property used and profits earned in connection with its pari-mutuel operations.
(8) To be eligible to conduct intertrack wagering, a quarter horse racing permitholder must have conducted a full schedule of live racing in the preceding year.
History.—s. 37, ch. 92-348; s. 11, ch. 95-390; s. 789, ch. 97-103; s. 3, ch. 2005-288; s. 14, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29; s. 41, ch. 2011-4.
550.3345 Conversion of quarter horse permit to a limited thoroughbred permit.—
(1) In recognition of the important and long-standing economic contribution of the thoroughbred horse breeding industry to this state and the state’s vested interest in promoting the continued viability of this agricultural activity, the state intends to provide a limited opportunity for the conduct of live thoroughbred horse racing with the net revenues from such racing dedicated to the enhancement of thoroughbred purses and breeders’, stallion, and special racing awards under this chapter; the general promotion of the thoroughbred horse breeding industry; and the care in this state of thoroughbred horses retired from racing.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the holder of a quarter horse racing permit issued under s. 550.334 may, within 1 year after the effective date of this section, apply to the division for a transfer of the quarter horse racing permit to a not-for-profit corporation formed under state law to serve the purposes of the state as provided in subsection (1). The board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation must be comprised of 11 members, 4 of whom shall be designated by the applicant, 4 of whom shall be designated by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and 3 of whom shall be designated by the other 8 directors, with at least 1 of these 3 members being an authorized representative of another thoroughbred permitholder in this state. The not-for-profit corporation shall submit an application to the division for review and approval of the transfer in accordance with s. 550.054. Upon approval of the transfer by the division, and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the not-for-profit corporation may, within 1 year after its receipt of the permit, request that the division convert the quarter horse racing permit to a permit authorizing the holder to conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing. Neither the transfer of the quarter horse racing permit nor its conversion to a limited thoroughbred permit shall be subject to the mileage limitation or the ratification election as set forth under s. 550.054(2) or s. 550.0651. Upon receipt of the request for such conversion, the division shall timely issue a converted permit. The converted permit and the not-for-profit corporation shall be subject to the following requirements:
(a) All net revenues derived by the not-for-profit corporation under the thoroughbred horse racing permit, after the funding of operating expenses and capital improvements, shall be dedicated to the enhancement of thoroughbred purses and breeders’, stallion, and special racing awards under this chapter; the general promotion of the thoroughbred horse breeding industry; and the care in this state of thoroughbred horses retired from racing.
(b) From December 1 through April 30, no live thoroughbred racing may be conducted under the permit on any day during which another thoroughbred permitholder is conducting live thoroughbred racing within 125 air miles of the not-for-profit corporation’s pari-mutuel facility unless the other thoroughbred permitholder gives its written consent.
(c) After the conversion of the quarter horse racing permit and the issuance of its initial license to conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing, the not-for-profit corporation shall annually apply to the division for a license pursuant to s. 550.5251.
(d) Racing under the permit may take place only at the location for which the original quarter horse racing permit was issued, which may be leased by the not-for-profit corporation for that purpose; however, the not-for-profit corporation may, without the conduct of any ratification election pursuant to s. 550.054(13) or s. 550.0651, move the location of the permit to another location in the same county provided that such relocation is approved under the zoning and land use regulations of the applicable county or municipality.
(e) No permit converted under this section is eligible for transfer to another person or entity.
(3) Unless otherwise provided in this section, after conversion, the permit and the not-for-profit corporation shall be treated under the laws of this state as a thoroughbred permit and as a thoroughbred permitholder, respectively, with the exception of s. 550.09515(3).
History.—s. 15, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29; s. 42, ch. 2011-4.
550.3355 Harness track licenses for summer quarter horse racing.—Any harness track licensed to operate under the provisions of s. 550.375 may make application for, and shall be issued by the division, a license to operate not more than 50 quarter horse racing days during the summer season, which shall extend from July 1 until October 1 of each year. However, this license to operate quarter horse racing for 50 days is in addition to the racing days and dates provided in s. 550.375 for harness racing during the winter seasons; and, it does not affect the right of such licensee to operate harness racing at the track as provided in s. 550.375 during the winter season. All provisions of this chapter governing quarter horse racing not in conflict herewith apply to the operation of quarter horse meetings authorized hereunder, except that all quarter horse racing permitted hereunder shall be conducted at night.
History.—s. 38, ch. 92-348; s. 16, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.3551 Transmission of racing and jai alai information; commingling of pari-mutuel pools.—
(1)(a) It is unlawful for any person to transmit, by any means, racing information to any person or to relay the same to any person by word of mouth, by signal, or by use of telephone, telegraph, radio, or any other means when the information is knowingly used or intended to be used for illegal gambling purposes or in furtherance of illegal gambling.
(b) Paragraph (a) shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state for the protection of the public welfare, health, peace, safety, and morals of the people of the state, and this section shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of this purpose.
(c) A person who violates paragraph (a) is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(2) Any horse track, dog track, or fronton licensed under this chapter may transmit broadcasts of races or games conducted at the enclosure of the licensee to locations outside this state.
(a) All broadcasts of horseraces transmitted to locations outside this state must comply with the provisions of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 1811, 15 U.S.C. ss. 3001 et seq.
(b) Wagers accepted by any out-of-state pari-mutuel permitholder or licensed betting system on a race broadcasted under this subsection may be, but are not required to be, included in the pari-mutuel pools of the horse track in this state that broadcasts the race upon which wagers are accepted. The handle, as referred to in s. 550.0951(3), does not include any wagers accepted by an out-of-state pari-mutuel permitholder or licensed betting system, irrespective of whether such wagers are included in the pari-mutuel pools of the Florida permitholder as authorized by this subsection.
(3) Any horse track licensed under this chapter may receive broadcasts of horseraces conducted at other horse racetracks located outside this state at the racetrack enclosure of the licensee during its racing meet.
(a) All broadcasts of horseraces received from locations outside this state must comply with the provisions of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, 92 Stat. 1811, 15 U.S.C. ss. 3001 et seq.
(b) Wagers accepted at the horse track in this state may be, but are not required to be, included in the pari-mutuel pools of the out-of-state horse track that broadcasts the race. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this chapter, if the horse track in this state elects to include wagers accepted on such races in the pari-mutuel pools of the out-of-state horse track that broadcasts the race, from the amount wagered by patrons at the horse track in this state and included in the pari-mutuel pools of the out-of-state horse track, the horse track in this state shall deduct as the takeout from the amount wagered by patrons at the horse track in this state and included in the pari-mutuel pools of the out-of-state horse track a percentage equal to the percentage deducted from the amount wagered at the out-of-state racetrack as is authorized by the laws of the jurisdiction exercising regulatory authority over the out-of-state horse track.
(c) All forms of pari-mutuel wagering are allowed on races broadcast under this section, and all money wagered by patrons on such races shall be computed as part of the total amount of money wagered at each racing performance for purposes of taxation under ss. 550.0951, 550.09512, and 550.09515. Section 550.2625(2)(a), (b), and (c) does not apply to any money wagered on races broadcast under this section. Similarly, the takeout shall be increased by breaks and uncashed tickets for wagers on races broadcast under this section, notwithstanding any contrary provision of this chapter.
(4) Any dog track or fronton licensed under this chapter may receive broadcasts of dograces or jai alai games conducted at other tracks or frontons located outside the state at the track enclosure of the licensee during its operational meeting. All forms of pari-mutuel wagering are allowed on dograces or jai alai games broadcast under this subsection. All money wagered by patrons on dograces broadcast under this subsection shall be computed in the amount of money wagered each performance for purposes of taxation under ss. 550.0951 and 550.09511.
(5) A pari-mutuel permitholder licensed under this chapter may not receive broadcasts of races or games from outside this state except from an out-of-state pari-mutuel permitholder who holds the same type or class of pari-mutuel permit as the pari-mutuel permitholder licensed under this chapter who intends to receive the broadcast.
(6)(a) A maximum of 20 percent of the total number of races on which wagers are accepted by a greyhound permitholder not located as specified in s. 550.615(6) may be received from locations outside this state. A permitholder may not conduct fewer than eight live races or games on any authorized race day except as provided in this subsection. A thoroughbred permitholder may not conduct fewer than eight live races on any race day without the written approval of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., unless it is determined by the department that another entity represents a majority of the thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers in the state. A harness permitholder may conduct fewer than eight live races on any authorized race day, except that such permitholder must conduct a full schedule of live racing during its race meet consisting of at least eight live races per authorized race day for at least 100 days. Any harness horse permitholder that during the preceding racing season conducted a full schedule of live racing may, at any time during its current race meet, receive full-card broadcasts of harness horse races conducted at harness racetracks outside this state at the harness track of the permitholder and accept wagers on such harness races. With specific authorization from the division for special racing events, a permitholder may conduct fewer than eight live races or games when the permitholder also broadcasts out-of-state races or games. The division may not grant more than two such exceptions a year for a permitholder in any 12-month period, and those two exceptions may not be consecutive.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any harness horse permitholder accepting broadcasts of out-of-state harness horse races when such permitholder is not conducting live races must make the out-of-state signal available to all permitholders eligible to conduct intertrack wagering and shall pay to guest tracks located as specified in ss. 550.615(6) and 550.6305(9)(d) 50 percent of the net proceeds after taxes and fees to the out-of-state host track on harness race wagers which they accept. A harness horse permitholder shall be required to pay into its purse account 50 percent of the net income retained by the permitholder on account of wagering on the out-of-state broadcasts received pursuant to this subsection. Nine-tenths of a percent of all harness wagering proceeds on the broadcasts received pursuant to this subsection shall be paid to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association under the provisions of s. 550.2625(4) for the purposes provided therein.
(7) A racetrack or fronton may not pay any patron for any pari-mutuel ticket purchased on any race or game transmitted pursuant to this section until the stewards, judges, or panel of judges or other similarly constituted body at the racetrack or fronton where the race or game originates has confirmed the race or game as official.
(8) The entry and participation for a purse or any other prize of any racing animal by the owner of the animal and the jockey or driver is tantamount to acceptance of such purse or prize as full and complete remuneration and payment for such entry and participation, including the broadcast of such event, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(9) To the extent that any rights, privileges, or immunities granted to pari-mutuel permitholders under this section conflict with any other law or affect any order or rule of the Florida Public Service Commission relating to the regulation of public utilities and the furnishing to others of any communication, wire service, or other similar service or equipment, the rights, privileges, or immunities granted under this section prevail over such conflicting provisions.
(10) The division may adopt rules necessary to facilitate commingling of pari-mutuel pools, to ensure the proper calculation of payoffs in circumstances in which different commission percentages are applicable and to regulate the distribution of net proceeds between the horse track and, in this state, the horsemen’s associations.
(11) Greyhound tracks and jai alai frontons have the same privileges as provided in this section to horse tracks, as applicable, subject to rules adopted under subsection (10).
(12) All permitholders licensed under this chapter have standing to enforce the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) in the courts of this state.
(13) This section does not prohibit the commingling of national pari-mutuel pools by a totalisator company that is licensed under this chapter. Such commingling of national pools is subject to division review and approval and must be performed in accordance with rules adopted by the division to ensure accurate calculation and distribution of the pools.
(14) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3)(b) pertaining to takeout, takeouts different from those of the host track may be used when the totalisator is programmed for net pool pricing and the host track elects to use net pool pricing in the calculation of its pools. This provision shall also apply to greyhound intertrack and simulcast wagers.
History.—s. 39, ch. 92-348; s. 12, ch. 95-390; s. 12, ch. 96-364; s. 27, ch. 2000-354.
550.3615 Bookmaking on the grounds of a permitholder; penalties; reinstatement; duties of track employees; penalty; exceptions.—
(1) Any person who engages in bookmaking, as defined in s. 849.25, on the grounds or property of a permitholder of a horse or dog track or jai alai fronton is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.01, any person convicted under the provisions of this subsection shall not have adjudication of guilt suspended, deferred, or withheld.
(2) Any person who, having been convicted of violating subsection (1), thereafter commits the same crime is guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.01, any person convicted under the provisions of this subsection shall not have adjudication of guilt suspended, deferred, or withheld.
(3) Any person who has been convicted of bookmaking in this state or any other state of the United States or any foreign country shall be denied admittance to and shall not attend any racetrack or fronton in this state during its racing seasons or operating dates, including any practice or preparational days, for a period of 2 years after the date of conviction or the date of final appeal. Following the conclusion of the period of ineligibility, the director of the division may authorize the reinstatement of an individual following a hearing on readmittance. Any such person who knowingly violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(4) If the activities of a person show that this law is being violated, and such activities are either witnessed or are common knowledge by any track or fronton employee, it is the duty of that employee to bring the matter to the immediate attention of the permitholder, manager, or her or his designee, who shall notify a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. Willful failure on the part of any track or fronton employee to comply with the provisions of this subsection is a ground for the division to suspend or revoke that employee’s license for track or fronton employment.
(5) Each permittee shall display, in conspicuous places at a track or fronton and in all race and jai alai daily programs, a warning to all patrons concerning the prohibition and penalties of bookmaking contained in this section and s. 849.25. The division shall adopt rules concerning the uniform size of all warnings and the number of placements throughout a track or fronton. Failure on the part of the permittee to display such warnings may result in the imposition of a $500 fine by the division for each offense.
(6) This section does not apply to any person attending a track or fronton or employed by a track or fronton who places a bet through the legalized pari-mutuel pool for another person, provided such service is rendered gratuitously and without fee or other reward.
(7) This section does not apply to any prosecutions filed and pending at the time of passage hereof, but all such cases shall be disposed of under existing law at the time of institution of such prosecutions.
History.—s. 41, ch. 92-348; s. 791, ch. 97-103.
550.375 Operation of certain harness tracks.—
(1) The Legislature finds that the operation of harness tracks and legalized pari-mutuel and mutuel betting at harness tracks in this state will become a substantial business compatible with the best interests of the state, and the taxes derived therefrom will constitute an important and integral part of the tax structure of the state and counties. The Legislature further finds that the operation of harness tracks within the state will establish and encourage the acquisition and maintenance of breeding farms for the breeding of standardbred horses used in harness races, and that this exhibition sport will attract a large tourist business to the state.
(2) Any permittee or licensee authorized under this section to transfer the location of its permit may conduct harness racing only between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. A permit so transferred applies only to the locations provided in this section. The provisions of this chapter which prohibit the location and operation of a licensed harness track permittee and licensee within 100 air miles of the location of a racetrack authorized to conduct racing under this chapter and which prohibit the division from granting any permit to a harness track at a location in the area in which there are three horse tracks located within 100 air miles thereof do not apply to a licensed harness track that is required by the terms of this section to race between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.
(3) A permit may not be issued by the division for the operation of a harness track within 75 air miles of a location of a harness track licensed and operating under this chapter.
(4) The permitholder conducting a harness horse race meet must pay the daily license fee, the admission tax, the tax on breaks, and the tax on pari-mutuel handle provided in s. 550.0951 and is subject to all penalties and sanctions provided in s. 550.0951(6).
(5) Each licensed harness track in the state must schedule an average of one race per racing day in which horses bred in this state and duly registered as standardbred harness horses have preference as entries over non-Florida-bred horses. All licensed harness tracks must write the conditions for such races in which Florida-bred horses are preferred so as to assure that all Florida-bred horses available for racing at such tracks are given full opportunity to perform in the class races for which they are qualified, and the opportunity of performing must be afforded to each class of horses in the proportion that the number of horses in this class bears to the total number of Florida-bred horses available. However, a track is not required to write conditions for a race to accommodate a class of horses for which a race would otherwise not be scheduled at such track during its meeting.
(6) If a permit has been transferred from a county under this section, no other transfer is permitted from such county.
History.—s. 42, ch. 92-348; s. 56, ch. 2000-154.
550.475 Lease of pari-mutuel facilities by pari-mutuel permitholders.—Holders of valid pari-mutuel permits for the conduct of any jai alai games, dogracing, or thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing in this state are entitled to lease any and all of their facilities to any other holder of a same class valid pari-mutuel permit for jai alai games, dogracing, or thoroughbred or standardbred horse racing, when located within a 35-mile radius of each other; and such lessee is entitled to a permit and license to operate its race meet or jai alai games at the leased premises.
History.—s. 43, ch. 92-348; s. 13, ch. 96-364; s. 16, ch. 2000-354.
550.495 Totalisator licensing.—
(1) A totalisator may not be operated at a pari-mutuel facility in this state, or at a facility located in or out of this state which is used as the primary totalisator for a race or game conducted in this state, unless the totalisator company possesses a business license issued by the division.
(2)(a) Each totalisator company must apply to the division for an annual business license. The application must include such information as the division by rule requires.
(b) As a part of its license application, each totalisator company must agree in writing to pay to the division an amount equal to the loss of any state revenues from missed or canceled races, games, or performances due to acts of the totalisator company or its agents or employees or failures of the totalisator system, except for circumstances beyond the control of the totalisator company or agent or employee, as determined by the division.
(c) Each totalisator company must file with the division a performance bond, acceptable to the division, in the sum of $250,000 issued by a surety approved by the division or must file proof of insurance, acceptable to the division, against financial loss in the amount of $250,000, insuring the state against such a revenue loss.
(d) In the event of a loss of state tax revenues, the division shall determine:
1. The estimated revenue lost as a result of missed or canceled races, games, or performances;
2. The number of races, games, or performances which is practicable for the permitholder to conduct in an attempt to mitigate the revenue loss; and
3. The amount of the revenue loss which the makeup races, games, or performances will not recover and for which the totalisator company is liable.
(e) Upon the making of such determinations, the division shall issue to the totalisator company and to the affected permitholder an order setting forth the determinations of the division.
(f) If the order is contested by either the totalisator company or any affected permitholder, the provisions of chapter 120 apply. If the totalisator company contests the order on the grounds that the revenue loss was due to circumstances beyond its control, the totalisator company has the burden of proving that circumstances vary in fact beyond its control. For purposes of this paragraph, strikes and acts of God are beyond the control of the totalisator company.
(g) Upon the failure of the totalisator company to make the payment found to be due the state, the division may cause the forfeiture of the bond or may proceed against the insurance contract, and the proceeds of the bond or contract shall be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. If that bond was not posted or insurance obtained, the division may proceed against any assets of the totalisator company to collect the amounts due under this subsection.
(3) If the applicant meets the requirements of this section and division rules and pays the license fee, the division shall issue the license.
(4) Each totalisator company shall conduct operations in accordance with rules adopted by the division, in such form, content, and frequency as the division by rule determines.
(5) The division and its representatives may enter and inspect any area of the premises of a licensed totalisator company, and may examine totalisator records, during the licensee’s regular business or operating hours.
History.—s. 44, ch. 92-348; s. 13, ch. 95-390.
550.505 Nonwagering permits.—
(1)(a) Except as provided in this section, permits and licenses issued by the division are intended to be used for pari-mutuel wagering operations in conjunction with horseraces, dograces, or jai alai performances.
(b) Subject to the requirements of this section, the division is authorized to issue permits for the conduct of horseracing meets without pari-mutuel wagering or any other form of wagering being conducted in conjunction therewith. Such permits shall be known as nonwagering permits and may be issued only for horseracing meets. A horseracing permitholder need not obtain an additional permit from the division for conducting nonwagering racing under this section, but must apply to the division for the issuance of a license under this section. The holder of a nonwagering permit is prohibited from conducting pari-mutuel wagering or any other form of wagering in conjunction with racing conducted under the permit. Nothing in this subsection prohibits horseracing for any stake, purse, prize, or premium.
(c) The holder of a nonwagering permit is exempt from the provisions of s. 550.105 and is exempt from the imposition of daily license fees and admission tax.
(2)(a) Any person not prohibited from holding any type of pari-mutuel permit under s. 550.1815 shall be allowed to apply to the division for a nonwagering permit. The applicant must demonstrate that the location or locations where the nonwagering permit will be used are available for such use and that the applicant has the financial ability to satisfy the reasonably anticipated operational expenses of the first racing year following final issuance of the nonwagering permit. If the racing facility is already built, the application must contain a statement, with reasonable supporting evidence, that the nonwagering permit will be used for horseracing within 1 year after the date on which it is granted. If the facility is not already built, the application must contain a statement, with reasonable supporting evidence, that substantial construction will be started within 1 year after the issuance of the nonwagering permit.
(b) The division may conduct an eligibility investigation to determine if the applicant meets the requirements of paragraph (a).
(3)(a) Upon receipt of a nonwagering permit, the permitholder must apply to the division before June 1 of each year for an annual nonwagering license for the next succeeding calendar year. Such application must set forth the days and locations at which the permitholder will conduct nonwagering horseracing and must indicate any changes in ownership or management of the permitholder occurring since the date of application for the prior license.
(b) On or before August 1 of each year, the division shall issue a license authorizing the nonwagering permitholder to conduct nonwagering horseracing during the succeeding calendar year during the period and for the number of days set forth in the application, subject to all other provisions of this section.
(c) The division may conduct an eligibility investigation to determine the qualifications of any new ownership or management interest in the permit.
(4) Upon the approval of racing dates by the division, the division shall issue an annual nonwagering license to the nonwagering permitholder.
(5) Only horses registered with an established breed registration organization, which organization shall be approved by the division, shall be raced at any race meeting authorized by this section.
(6) The division may order any person participating in a nonwagering meet to cease and desist from participating in such meet if the division determines the person to be not of good moral character in accordance with s. 550.1815. The division may order the operators of a nonwagering meet to cease and desist from operating the meet if the division determines the meet is being operated for any illegal purpose.
History.—s. 45, ch. 92-348; s. 14, ch. 95-390.
550.5251 Florida thoroughbred racing; certain permits; operating days.—
(1) Each thoroughbred permitholder shall annually, during the period commencing December 15 of each year and ending January 4 of the following year, file in writing with the division its application to conduct one or more thoroughbred racing meetings during the thoroughbred racing season commencing on the following July 1. Each application shall specify the number and dates of all performances that the permitholder intends to conduct during that thoroughbred racing season. On or before March 15 of each year, the division shall issue a license authorizing each permitholder to conduct performances on the dates specified in its application. Up to February 28 of each year, each permitholder may request and shall be granted changes in its authorized performances; but thereafter, as a condition precedent to the validity of its license and its right to retain its permit, each permitholder must operate the full number of days authorized on each of the dates set forth in its license.
(2) A thoroughbred racing permitholder may not begin any race later than 7 p.m. Any thoroughbred permitholder in a county in which the authority for cardrooms has been approved by the board of county commissioners may operate a cardroom and, when conducting live races during its current race meet, may receive and rebroadcast out-of-state races after the hour of 7 p.m. on any day during which the permitholder conducts live races.
(3)(a) Each licensed thoroughbred permitholder in this state must run an average of one race per racing day in which horses bred in this state and duly registered with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association have preference as entries over non-Florida-bred horses, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the permitholder, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and the association representing a majority of the thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers at that location. All licensed thoroughbred racetracks shall write the conditions for such races in which Florida-bred horses are preferred so as to assure that all Florida-bred horses available for racing at such tracks are given full opportunity to run in the class of races for which they are qualified. The opportunity of running must be afforded to each class of horses in the proportion that the number of horses in this class bears to the total number of Florida-bred horses available. A track is not required to write conditions for a race to accommodate a class of horses for which a race would otherwise not be run at the track during its meet.
(b) Each licensed thoroughbred permitholder in this state may run one additional race per racing day composed exclusively of Arabian horses registered with the Arabian Horse Registry of America. Any licensed thoroughbred permitholder that elects to run one additional race per racing day composed exclusively of Arabian horses registered with the Arabian Horse Registry of America is not required to provide stables for the Arabian horses racing under this paragraph.
(c) Each licensed thoroughbred permitholder in this state may run up to three additional races per racing day composed exclusively of quarter horses registered with the American Quarter Horse Association.
History.—s. 46, ch. 92-348; s. 6, ch. 93-123; s. 14, ch. 96-364; s. 7, ch. 98-190; s. 39, ch. 2002-402; s. 3, ch. 2003-295; s. 18, ch. 2009-170; ss. 4, 5, ch. 2010-29.
550.615 Intertrack wagering.—
(1) Any horserace permitholder licensed under this chapter which has conducted a full schedule of live racing may, at any time, receive broadcasts of horseraces and accept wagers on horseraces conducted by horserace permitholders licensed under this chapter at its facility.
(2) Any track or fronton licensed under this chapter which in the preceding year conducted a full schedule of live racing is qualified to, at any time, receive broadcasts of any class of pari-mutuel race or game and accept wagers on such races or games conducted by any class of permitholders licensed under this chapter.
(3) If a permitholder elects to broadcast its signal to any permitholder in this state, any permitholder that is eligible to conduct intertrack wagering under the provisions of ss. 550.615-550.6345 is entitled to receive the broadcast and conduct intertrack wagering under this section; provided, however, that the host track may require a guest track within 25 miles of another permitholder to receive in any week at least 60 percent of the live races that the host track is making available on the days that the guest track is otherwise operating live races or games. A host track may require a guest track not operating live races or games and within 25 miles of another permitholder to accept within any week at least 60 percent of the live races that the host track is making available. A person may not restrain or attempt to restrain any permitholder that is otherwise authorized to conduct intertrack wagering from receiving the signal of any other permitholder or sending its signal to any permitholder.
(4) In no event shall any intertrack wager be accepted on the same class of live races or games of any permitholder without the written consent of such operating permitholders conducting the same class of live races or games if the guest track is within the market area of such operating permitholder.
(5) No permitholder within the market area of the host track shall take an intertrack wager on the host track without the consent of the host track.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3), in any area of the state where there are three or more horserace permitholders within 25 miles of each other, intertrack wagering between permitholders in said area of the state shall only be authorized under the following conditions: Any permitholder, other than a thoroughbred permitholder, may accept intertrack wagers on races or games conducted live by a permitholder of the same class or any harness permitholder located within such area and any harness permitholder may accept wagers on games conducted live by any jai alai permitholder located within its market area and from a jai alai permitholder located within the area specified in this subsection when no jai alai permitholder located within its market area is conducting live jai alai performances; any greyhound or jai alai permitholder may receive broadcasts of and accept wagers on any permitholder of the other class provided that a permitholder, other than the host track, of such other class is not operating a contemporaneous live performance within the market area.
(7) In any county of the state where there are only two permits, one for dogracing and one for jai alai, no intertrack wager may be taken during the period of time when a permitholder is not licensed to conduct live races or games without the written consent of the other permitholder that is conducting live races or games. However, if neither permitholder is conducting live races or games, either permitholder may accept intertrack wagers on horseraces or on the same class of races or games, or on both horseraces and the same class of races or games as is authorized by its permit.
(8) In any three contiguous counties of the state where there are only three permitholders, all of which are greyhound permitholders, if any permitholder leases the facility of another permitholder for all or any portion of the conduct of its live race meet pursuant to s. 550.475, such lessee may conduct intertrack wagering at its pre-lease permitted facility throughout the entire year, including while its live meet is being conducted at the leased facility, if such permitholder has conducted a full schedule of live racing during the preceding fiscal year at its pre-lease permitted facility or at a leased facility, or combination thereof.
(9) In any two contiguous counties of the state in which there are located only four active permits, one for thoroughbred horse racing, two for greyhound dogracing, and one for jai alai games, no intertrack wager may be accepted on the same class of live races or games of any permitholder without the written consent of such operating permitholders conducting the same class of live races or games if the guest track is within the market area of such operating permitholder.
(10) All costs of receiving the transmission of the broadcasts shall be borne by the guest track; and all costs of sending the broadcasts shall be borne by the host track.
History.—s. 47, ch. 92-348; s. 2, ch. 93-123; s. 17, ch. 95-390; s. 15, ch. 96-364; ss. 8, 9, ch. 98-190; ss. 13, 44, ch. 2000-354; s. 13, ch. 2002-2.
550.625 Intertrack wagering; purses; breeders’ awards.—If a host track is a horse track:
(1) A host track racing under either a thoroughbred or quarter horse permit shall pay an amount equal to 7.0 percent of all wagers placed pursuant to the provisions of s. 550.615, as purses during its current race meet. However, up to 0.50 percent of all wagers placed pursuant to s. 550.615 may, at the option of the host track, be deducted from the amount retained by the host track for purses to supplement the awards program for owners of Florida-bred horses as set forth in s. 550.2625(6). A host track racing under a harness permit shall pay an amount equal to 7 percent of all wagers placed pursuant to the provisions of s. 550.615, as purses during its current race meet. If a host track underpays or overpays purses required by this section and s. 550.2625, the provisions of s. 550.2625 apply to the overpayment or underpayment.
(2) Of all wagers placed pursuant to the provisions of s. 550.615:
(a) If the host track is a thoroughbred track, an amount equal to 0.75 percent shall be paid to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Inc., for the payment of breeders’ awards;
(b) If the host track is a harness track, an amount equal to 1 percent shall be paid to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., for the payment of breeders’ awards, stallion awards, stallion stakes, additional purses, and prizes for, and the general promotion of owning and breeding, Florida-bred standardbred horses; or
(c) If the host track is a quarter horse track, an amount equal to 1 percent shall be paid to the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., for the payment of breeders’ awards and general promotion.
(3) The payment to a breeders’ organization shall be combined with any other amounts received by the respective breeders’ and owners’ associations as so designated. Each breeders’ and owners’ association receiving these funds shall be allowed to withhold the same percentage as set forth in s. 550.2625 to be used for administering the payment of awards and for the general promotion of their respective industries. If the total combined amount received for thoroughbred breeders’ awards exceeds 15 percent of the purse required to be paid under subsection (1), the breeders’ and owners’ association, as so designated, notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall submit a plan to the division for approval which would use the excess funds in promoting the breeding industry by increasing the purse structure for Florida-breds. Preference shall be given to the track generating such excess.
History.—s. 48, ch. 92-348; s. 17, ch. 2000-354.
550.6305 Intertrack wagering; guest track payments; accounting rules.—
(1) All guest tracks which are eligible to receive broadcasts and accept wagers on horseraces from a host track racing under either a thoroughbred or quarter horse permit shall be entitled to payment of 7 percent of the total contributions to the pari-mutuel pool on wagers accepted at the guest track. All guest tracks that are eligible to receive broadcasts and accept wagers on greyhound races or jai alai games from a host track other than a thoroughbred or harness permitholder shall be entitled to payments of not less than 5 percent of the total contributions to the daily pari-mutuel pool on wagers accepted at the guest track. All guest tracks that are eligible to receive broadcasts and accept wagers on horseraces from a host track racing under a harness horse permit shall be entitled to a payment of 5 percent of the total contributions to the daily pari-mutuel pool on wagers accepted at the guest track. However, if a guest track is a horserace permitholder that accepts intertrack wagers during its current race meet, one-half of the payment provided in this subsection and s. 550.6345 shall be paid as purses during its current race meet.
(a) However, if the host track is a thoroughbred permitholder, and the guest track is also a thoroughbred permitholder and accepts intertrack wagers on thoroughbred races during its current race meet, one-third of the payment provided in this subsection shall be paid as purses during its current race meet. In addition, an amount equal to 2 percent of the intertrack handle at the thoroughbred guest track shall be remitted by the host track to the guest thoroughbred track, which amount shall be deducted from the purses required to be paid by the host track. Such amount shall be paid by the guest thoroughbred track as purses during its current race meet.
(b) If thoroughbred intertrack wagering is taken at any guest track, including a thoroughbred guest track, which is located within 25 miles of any thoroughbred permitholder that is not conducting live racing, the host track shall pay to such thoroughbred permitholder an amount equal to 2 percent of the intertrack handle at all such guest tracks, including the guest thoroughbred track, which amount shall be deducted from the purses otherwise required to be paid by the host track. This amount shall be used by the thoroughbred permitholder to pay purses during its next race meet.
(2) For the purposes of calculation of odds and payoffs and distribution of the pari-mutuel pools, all intertrack wagers shall be combined with the pari-mutuel pools at the host track. Notwithstanding this subsection or subsection (4), a greyhound pari-mutuel permitholder may conduct intertrack wagering without combining pari-mutuel pools on not more than three races in any week, not to exceed 20 races in a year. All other provisions concerning pari-mutuel takeout and payments, including state tax payments, apply as if the pool had been combined.
(3) All forms of pari-mutuel wagering shall be allowed on all wagering authorized under s. 550.615 and this section.
(4) The takeout on all intertrack wagering shall be the same as the takeout on similar pari-mutuel pools conducted at the host track.
(5) The division shall adopt rules providing an expedient accounting procedure for the transfer of the pari-mutuel pool in order to properly account for payment of state taxes, payment to the guest track, payment to the host track, payment of purses, payment to breeders’ associations, payment to horsemen’s associations, and payment to the public.
(6) Each host track or guest track conducting intertrack wagering shall annually file an audit identifying the intertrack wagering conducted, from wagering conducted live, which audit shall be in compliance with s. 550.125.
(7) No guest track shall make any payment to any patron on any pari-mutuel ticket purchased on any race broadcast until the stewards, judges, or panel of judges at the host track where the race or game originates has confirmed the race or game as official.
(8) The entry and participation for a purse or other prize of any racing animal by the owner of the animal and the jockey or driver is tantamount to the acceptance of such purse or prize as full and complete remuneration and payment for such entry and participation, including the broadcast of such event.
(9) A host track that has contracted with an out-of-state horse track to broadcast live races conducted at such out-of-state horse track pursuant to s. 550.3551(5) may broadcast such out-of-state races to any guest track and accept wagers thereon in the same manner as is provided in s. 550.3551.
(a) For purposes of this section, “net proceeds” means the amount of takeout remaining after the payment of state taxes, purses required pursuant to s. 550.0951(3)(c)1., the cost to the permitholder required to be paid to the out-of-state horse track, and breeders’ awards paid to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, to be used as set forth in s. 550.625(2)(a) and (b).
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) and s. 550.625(1) and (2)(a), the distribution of the net proceeds that are retained by a thoroughbred host track from the takeout on an out-of-state race rebroadcast under this subsection shall be as follows:
1. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be paid to the guest track;
2. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be retained by the host track; and
3. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be paid by the host track as purses at the host track.
(c) All guest tracks other than thoroughbred permitholders that are eligible to receive wagers on out-of-state horseraces rebroadcast from a host track racing under a thoroughbred horse permit shall be subject to the distribution of the net proceeds as specified in paragraph (a) unless the host and guest permitholders and the recognized horseman’s group agree to a different distribution of their respective portions of the proceeds by contract.
(d) Any permitholder located in any area of the state where there are only two permits, one for dogracing and one for jai alai, may accept wagers on rebroadcasts of out-of-state thoroughbred horse races from an in-state thoroughbred horse racing permitholder and shall not be subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) if such thoroughbred horse racing permitholder located within the area specified in this paragraph is both conducting live races and accepting wagers on out-of-state horseraces. In such case, the guest permitholder shall be entitled to 45 percent of the net proceeds on wagers accepted at the guest facility. The remaining proceeds shall be distributed as follows: one-half shall be retained by the host facility and one-half shall be paid by the host facility as purses at the host facility.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) and s. 550.625(1) and (2)(b), the proceeds that are retained by a harness host facility from the takeout on a race broadcast under this subsection shall be distributed as follows:
1. Of the total intertrack handle on the broadcast, 1 percent shall be deducted from the proceeds and paid to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., to be used as set forth in s. 550.625(2)(b);
2. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be paid to the guest facility;
3. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be retained by the host facility; and
4. One-third of the remainder of said proceeds shall be paid by the host facility as purses at the host facility.
(f) Any permitholder located in any area of the state where there are only two permits, one for dogracing and one for jai alai, may accept wagers on rebroadcasts of out-of-state harness horse races from an in-state harness horse racing permitholder and shall not be subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) if such harness horse racing permitholder located within the area specified in this paragraph is conducting live races. In such case, the guest permitholder shall be entitled to 45 percent of the net proceeds on wagers accepted at the guest facility. The remaining proceeds shall be distributed as follows: one-half shall be retained by the host facility and one-half shall be paid by the host facility as purses at the host facility.
(g)1. Any thoroughbred permitholder which accepts wagers on a simulcast signal must make the signal available to any permitholder that is eligible to conduct intertrack wagering under the provisions of ss. 550.615-550.6345.
2. Any thoroughbred permitholder which accepts wagers on a simulcast signal received after 6 p.m. must make such signal available to any permitholder that is eligible to conduct intertrack wagering under the provisions of ss. 550.615-550.6345, including any permitholder located as specified in s. 550.615(6). Such guest permitholders are authorized to accept wagers on such simulcast signal, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary.
3. Any thoroughbred permitholder which accepts wagers on a simulcast signal received after 6 p.m. must make such signal available to any permitholder that is eligible to conduct intertrack wagering under the provisions of ss. 550.615-550.6345, including any permitholder located as specified in 1s. 550.615(9). Such guest permitholders are authorized to accept wagers on such simulcast signals for a number of performances not to exceed that which constitutes a full schedule of live races for a quarter horse permitholder pursuant to s. 550.002(11), notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, except that the restrictions provided in 1s. 550.615(9)(a) apply to wagers on such simulcast signals.
No thoroughbred permitholder shall be required to continue to rebroadcast a simulcast signal to any in-state permitholder if the average per performance gross receipts returned to the host permitholder over the preceding 30-day period were less than $100. Subject to the provisions of s. 550.615(4), as a condition of receiving rebroadcasts of thoroughbred simulcast signals under this paragraph, a guest permitholder must accept intertrack wagers on all live races conducted by all then-operating thoroughbred permitholders.
(10) All races or games conducted at a permitholder’s facility, all broadcasts of such races or games, and all broadcast rights relating thereto are owned by the permitholder at whose facility such races or games are conducted and constitute the permitholder’s property as defined in s. 812.012(4). Transmission, reception of a transmission, exhibition, use, or other appropriation of such races or games, broadcasts of such races or games, or broadcast rights relating thereto without the written consent of the permitholder constitutes a theft of such property under s. 812.014; and in addition to the penal sanctions contained in s. 812.014, the permitholder has the right to avail itself of the civil remedies specified in ss. 772.104, 772.11, and 812.035 in addition to any other remedies available under applicable state or federal law.
(11) To the extent that any rights, privileges, or immunities granted to pari-mutuel permitholders in this section conflict with any provision of any other law or affect any order or rule of the Florida Public Service Commission relating to the regulation of public utilities and the furnishing to others of any communication, wire service, or other similar service or equipment, the rights, privileges, and immunities granted under this section prevail over such conflicting provision.
History.—s. 49, ch. 92-348; s. 17, ch. 96-364; s. 10, ch. 98-190; s. 20, ch. 2000-354; s. 27, ch. 2001-63; s. 85, ch. 2002-1; s. 14, ch. 2002-2.
550.6308 Limited intertrack wagering license.—In recognition of the economic importance of the thoroughbred breeding industry to this state, its positive impact on tourism, and of the importance of a permanent thoroughbred sales facility as a key focal point for the activities of the industry, a limited license to conduct intertrack wagering is established to ensure the continued viability and public interest in thoroughbred breeding in Florida.
(1) Upon application to the division on or before January 31 of each year, any person that is licensed to conduct public sales of thoroughbred horses pursuant to s. 535.01, that has conducted at least 15 days of thoroughbred horse sales at a permanent sales facility in this state for at least 3 consecutive years, and that has conducted at least 1 day of nonwagering thoroughbred racing in this state, with a purse structure of at least $250,000 per year for 2 consecutive years before such application, shall be issued a license, subject to the conditions set forth in this section, to conduct intertrack wagering at such a permanent sales facility during the following periods:
(a) Up to 21 days in connection with thoroughbred sales;
(b) Between November 1 and May 8;
(c) Between May 9 and October 31 at such times and on such days as any thoroughbred, jai alai, or a greyhound permitholder in the same county is not conducting live performances; provided that any such permitholder may waive this requirement, in whole or in part, and allow the licensee under this section to conduct intertrack wagering during one or more of the permitholder’s live performances; and
(d) During the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, the Belmont, and a Breeders’ Cup Meet that is conducted before November 1 and after May 8.
No more than one such license may be issued, and no such license may be issued for a facility located within 50 miles of any thoroughbred permitholder’s track.
(2) If more than one application is submitted for such license, the division shall determine which applicant shall be granted the license. In making its determination, the division shall grant the license to the applicant demonstrating superior capabilities, as measured by the length of time the applicant has been conducting thoroughbred sales within this state or elsewhere, the applicant’s total volume of thoroughbred horse sales, within this state or elsewhere, the length of time the applicant has maintained a permanent thoroughbred sales facility in this state, and the quality of the facility.
(3) The applicant must comply with the provisions of ss. 550.125 and 550.1815.
(4) Intertrack wagering under this section may be conducted only on thoroughbred horse racing, except that intertrack wagering may be conducted on any class of pari-mutuel race or game conducted by any class of permitholders licensed under this chapter if all thoroughbred, jai alai, and greyhound permitholders in the same county as the licensee under this section give their consent.
(5) The licensee shall be considered a guest track under this chapter. The licensee shall pay 2.5 percent of the total contributions to the daily pari-mutuel pool on wagers accepted at the licensee’s facility on greyhound races or jai alai games to the thoroughbred permitholder that is conducting live races for purses to be paid during its current racing meet. If more than one thoroughbred permitholder is conducting live races on a day during which the licensee is conducting intertrack wagering on greyhound races or jai alai games, the licensee shall allocate these funds between the operating thoroughbred permitholders on a pro rata basis based on the total live handle at the operating permitholders’ facilities.
History.—s. 11, ch. 98-190; s. 4, ch. 98-217; s. 28, ch. 2000-354.
550.6315 Applicability of s. 565.02(5) to guest tracks.—The provisions of s. 565.02(5) apply to any guest track.
History.—s. 50, ch. 92-348.
550.6325 Uncashed tickets and breakage tax.—Uncashed tickets and breakage tax on intertrack wagers shall be retained by the permitholder conducting the live racing or games.
History.—s. 51, ch. 92-348.
550.6335 Surcharge.—
(1) Any guest track that accepts intertrack wagers may collect and retain a surcharge on any intertrack pool in an amount not to exceed 3 percent of each winning pari-mutuel ticket cashed.
(2) A thoroughbred horse permitholder that accepts wagers on out-of-state races may impose a surcharge on each winning ticket, or interstate pool, on such out-of-state race in an amount not to exceed 5 percent of each winning pari-mutuel winning ticket cashed. If a permitholder rebroadcasts such signal and elects to impose a surcharge, the surcharge shall be imposed on any winning ticket at any guest facility at the same rate as the surcharge on wagers accepted at its own facility. The proceeds from the surcharge shall be distributed as follows: if the wager is made at the host facility, then one-half of the proceeds shall be retained by the host permitholder and one-half shall be paid as purses at the host facility; if the wager is made at a guest facility, then one-half shall be retained by the guest permitholder, one-quarter shall be paid to the host permitholder, and one-quarter shall be paid as purses at the host facility.
Any surcharge taken under this section must be calculated after breakage is deducted from the wagering pool.
History.—s. 52, ch. 92-348; s. 18, ch. 96-364.
550.6345 Intertrack wagering; purses when host track is harness racetrack.—A harness race permitholder host track may pay any guest track that receives broadcasts and accepts wagers on races from the host track an additional percentage of the total contribution to the pari-mutuel pool on wagers accepted at that guest track as a supplement to the payment authorized in s. 550.6305. A harness race permitholder host track that supplements payments to a guest track may reduce the account available for payment of purses during its current race meet by 50 percent of the supplemental amount paid to the guest track, but the total reduction may not exceed an amount which is more than 1 percent of the intertrack wagers placed on races that are part of the regular ontrack program of the host track during its current race meet pursuant to s. 550.615.
History.—s. 53, ch. 92-348.
550.70 Jai alai general provisions; chief court judges required; extension of time to construct fronton; amateur jai alai contests permitted under certain conditions; playing days’ limitations; locking of pari-mutuel machines.—
(1) A chief court judge must be present for each jai alai game at which pari-mutuel wagering is authorized. Chief court judges must be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the rules and game of jai alai and be able to meet the physical requirements of the position. The decisions of a chief court judge are final as to any incident relating to the playing of a jai alai game.
(2) The time within which the holder of a ratified permit for jai alai or pelota has to construct and complete a fronton may be extended by the division for a period of 24 months after the date of the issuance of the permit, anything to the contrary in any statute notwithstanding.
(3) This chapter does not prohibit any fronton, jai alai plant, or facility from being used to conduct amateur jai alai or pelota contests or games during each fronton season by any charitable, civic, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of conducting jai alai contests or games if only players other than those usually used in jai alai contests or games are permitted to play and if adults and minors may participate as players or spectators. However, during such jai alai games or contests, betting and gambling and the sale or use of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
(4) A jai alai player shall not be required to perform on more than 6 consecutive calendar days.
(5) The provisions of s. 550.155(1) allow wagering on points during a game; however, the pari-mutuel machines must be locked upon the start of the serving motion of each serve for wagers on that game.
History.—s. 55, ch. 92-348; s. 1, ch. 95-396; s. 19, ch. 96-364.
550.71 Operation of ch. 96-364.—If the provisions of any section of this act are held to be invalid or inoperative for any reason, the remaining provisions of this act shall be deemed to be void and of no effect, it being the legislative intent that this act as a whole would not have been adopted had any provision of the act not been included.
History.—s. 25, ch. 96-364.
550.901 Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Pari-mutuel Wagering.—There is created the Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Pari-mutuel Wagering.
History.—s. 31, ch. 2000-354.
550.902 Purposes.—The purposes of this compact are to:
(1) Establish uniform requirements among the party states for the licensing of participants with pari-mutuel wagering, and ensure that all licensed participants meet a uniform minimum standard of honesty and integrity.
(2) Facilitate the growth of the pari-mutuel wagering industry in each party state and nationwide by simplifying the process for licensing participants in pari-mutuel wagering, and reduce the duplicative and costly process of separate licensing by the regulatory agency in each state that conducts pari-mutuel wagering.
(3) Authorize the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to participate in this compact.
(4) Provide for participation in this compact by officials of the party states, and permit those officials, through the compact committee established by this compact, to enter into contracts with governmental agencies and nongovernmental persons to carry out the purposes of this compact.
(5) Establish the compact committee created by this compact as an interstate governmental entity duly authorized to request and receive criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other state and local law enforcement agencies.
History.—s. 32, ch. 2000-354.
550.903 Definitions; Interstate Compact on Licensure of Participants in Pari-mutuel Wagering.—As used in this compact, the term:
(1) “Compact committee” means the organization of officials from the party states which is authorized and empowered to carry out the purposes of this compact.
(2) “Official” means the appointed, elected, designated, or otherwise duly selected member of a racing commission, or the equivalent thereof, in a party state who represents that party state as a member of the compact committee.
(3) “Participants in pari-mutuel wagering” means participants in horseracing, greyhound racing, and jai alai games with pari-mutuel wagering in the party states.
(4) “Party state” means each state that has enacted this compact.
(5) “State” means each of the several states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each territory or possession of the United States.
History.—s. 33, ch. 2000-354.
550.904 Entry into force.—This compact shall come into force when enacted by any four states. Thereafter, this compact shall become effective in any other state upon that state’s enactment of this compact and upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the officials on the compact committee as provided in s. 550.909.
History.—s. 34, ch. 2000-354; s. 28, ch. 2001-63.
550.905 States eligible to join compact.—Any state that has adopted or authorized pari-mutuel wagering shall be eligible to become a party to this compact.
History.—s. 35, ch. 2000-354.
550.906 Withdrawal from compact; impact on force and effect.—
(1) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing this compact, but such a withdrawal becomes effective only when the head of the executive branch of the withdrawing party state has given written notice of the withdrawal to the heads of the executive branch of all other party states.
(2) If, as a result of withdrawals, participation in this compact decreases to fewer than three party states, this compact shall no longer be in force and effect until participation in this compact increases to three or more party states.
History.—s. 36, ch. 2000-354.
550.907 Compact committee.—
(1) There is created an interstate governmental entity to be known as the “compact committee,” which shall be composed of one official from the racing commission, or the equivalent thereof, in each party state who shall be appointed, serve, and be subject to removal in accordance with the laws of the party state that she or he represents. The official from Florida shall be appointed by the Secretary of Business and Professional Regulation. Pursuant to the laws of her or his party state, each official shall have the assistance of her or his state’s racing commission, or the equivalent thereof, in considering issues related to licensing of participants in pari-mutuel wagering and in fulfilling her or his responsibilities as the representative from her or his state to the compact committee.
(2) If an official is unable to perform any of her or his duties as a member of the compact committee, the racing commission, or the equivalent thereof, from her or his state shall designate another of its members as an alternate who shall serve in her or his place and represent the party state as its official on the compact committee, until that racing commission, or the equivalent thereof, determines that the original representative official is once again able to perform her or his duties as that party state’s representative official on the compact committee. The designation of an alternate shall be communicated by the affected state’s racing commission, or the equivalent thereof, to the compact committee as the committee’s bylaws provide.
History.—s. 37, ch. 2000-354.
550.908 Powers and duties of compact committee.—In order to carry out the purposes of this compact, the compact committee has the power and duty to:
(1)(a) Determine which categories of participants in pari-mutuel wagering, including, but not limited to, owners, trainers, jockeys, jai alai players, drivers, grooms, mutuel clerks, racing officials, veterinarians, and farriers, should be licensed by the committee, and to establish the requirements for the initial licensure of applicants in each category, the term of the license for each category, and the requirements for renewal of licenses in each category.
(b) With regard to requests for criminal history record information on each applicant for a license, and with regard to the effect of a criminal record on the issuance or renewal of a license, determine for each category of participants in pari-mutuel wagering which licensure requirements for that category are, in its judgment, the most restrictive licensure requirements of any party state for that category and to adopt licensure requirements for that category which are, in its judgment, comparable to those most restrictive requirements.
(2) Investigate applicants for licensure by the compact committee and, as permitted by federal and state law, gather information on such applicants, including criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and relevant state and local law enforcement agencies, and, where appropriate, from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and law enforcement agencies of other countries, which is necessary to determine whether a license should be issued under the licensure requirements established by the committee under subsection (1). The fingerprints of each applicant for licensure by the compact committee shall be taken by the compact committee, its employees, or its designee, and, pursuant to Pub. L. No. 92-544 or Pub. L. No. 100-413, shall be forwarded to a state identification bureau or to the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal history record check. Such fingerprints may be submitted by electronic or other means authorized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other receiving law enforcement agency.
(3) Issue licenses to, and renew the licenses of, participants in pari-mutuel wagering who are found by the committee to have met the licensure and renewal requirements established by the committee under subsection (1). The compact committee shall not have the power or authority to deny a license. If the compact committee determines that an applicant is not eligible for the issuance or renewal of a compact committee license, the compact committee shall notify the applicant that her or his application will not be processed further. Such notification does not constitute and shall not be considered to be the denial of a license. Any such applicant shall have the right to present additional evidence to, and be heard by, the compact committee, but the final decision on issuance or renewal of the license shall be made by the compact committee using the requirements established under subsection (1).
(4) Enter into contracts or agreements with governmental agencies and nongovernmental persons to provide personal services for its activities and such other services as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this compact.
(5) Create, appoint, and abolish those offices, employments, and positions, including that of executive director, that it considers necessary for the purposes of this compact; prescribe the powers, duties, and qualifications of, and hire persons to fill, such offices, employments, and positions; and provide for the removal, term, tenure, compensation, fringe benefits, retirement benefits, and other conditions of employment of persons filling such offices, employments, and positions.
(6) Borrow, accept, or contract for the services of personnel from any state, the United States, or any other governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.
(7) Acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property by gift, purchase, lease, or license, or in other similar manner, in furtherance of the purposes of this compact.
(8) Charge a fee to each applicant for an initial license or renewal of a license.
(9) Receive other funds through gifts, grants, and appropriations.
History.—s. 38, ch. 2000-354; s. 53, ch. 2013-116.
550.909 Voting requirements.—
(1) Each member of the compact committee is entitled to one vote.
(2) All action taken by the compact committee with regard to the addition of party states, the licensure of participants in pari-mutuel wagering, and the receipt and disbursement of funds requires a majority vote of the members of the compact committee or their alternates. All other action by the compact committee requires a majority vote of the members present or their alternates.
(3) The compact committee may not take any action unless a quorum is present. A majority of the members of the compact committee or their alternates constitutes a quorum.
History.—s. 39, ch. 2000-354.
550.910 Administration and management.—
(1) The compact committee shall elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary/treasurer.
(2) The compact committee shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business by a two-thirds vote of the members of the committee or their alternates and may, by the same vote, amend and rescind these bylaws. The compact committee shall publish its bylaws in convenient form and shall file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendments thereto with the Secretary of State or equivalent agency of each of the party states.
(3) The compact committee may delegate the day-to-day management and administration of its duties and responsibilities to an executive director and her or his support staff.
(4) Employees of the compact committee shall be considered governmental employees.
History.—s. 40, ch. 2000-354.
550.911 Immunity from liability for performance of official responsibilities and duties.—A member or employee of the compact committee may not be held personally liable for any good faith act or omission that occurs during the performance and within the scope of her or his responsibilities and duties under this compact.
History.—s. 41, ch. 2000-354.
550.912 Rights and responsibilities of each party state.—
(1) By enacting this compact, each party state:
(a) Agrees to:
1. Accept the decisions of the compact committee regarding the issuance of compact committee licenses to participants in pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to the committee’s licensure requirements.
2. Reimburse or otherwise pay the expenses of its official representative on the compact committee or her or his alternate.
(b) Agrees not to treat a notification to an applicant by the compact committee described in s. 550.908 as the denial of a license, or to penalize such an applicant in any other way based solely on such a decision by the compact committee.
(c) Reserves the right to:
1. Apply its own standards in determining whether, on the facts of a particular case, a compact committee license should be suspended or revoked. Any party state that suspends or revokes a compact committee license shall, through its racing commission or the equivalent thereof, or otherwise, promptly notify the compact committee of that suspension or revocation.
2. Apply its own standards in determining licensure eligibility, under the laws of that party state, for categories of participants in pari-mutuel wagering which the compact committee decides not to license and for individual participants in pari-mutuel wagering who do not meet the licensure requirements of the compact committee.
3. Establish its own licensure standards for those who are not covered by the compact committee license.
(2) A party state may not be held liable for the debts or other financial obligations incurred by the compact committee.
History.—s. 42, ch. 2000-354; s. 29, ch. 2001-63.
550.913 Construction and severability.—
(1) This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes. The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and, if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the Constitution of the United States or of any party state, or if the applicability of this compact to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
(2) If all or some portion of this compact is held to be contrary to the constitution of any party state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
History.—s. 43, ch. 2000-354.