The Florida Senate

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 to conduct intertrack wagering for thoroughbred racing for up to 21 days in connection with thoroughbred sales, to conduct intertrack wagering at such permanent sales facility between November 1 and May 8, to conduct intertrack wagering at such permanent sales facility 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, and to conduct intertrack wagering under the provisions of this subsection 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, subject to conditions set forth in this section but 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.

History.--s. 11, ch. 98-190; s. 4, ch. 98-217.