A bill advancing through the Florida legislature could allow the state’s two remaining thoroughbred racetracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, to cease live horse racing while maintaining other gambling operations such as cardrooms and slot machines. The proposal, known as “decoupling,” passed the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee with a 12-4 vote on Wednesday and is now headed for further review. Proponents of the bill, including its sponsor Rep. Adam Anderson (R-Palm Harbor), argue that it provides racetracks with greater business flexibility. “Very simply put, the bill applies the core principles that we value in the free state of Florida to the thoroughbred industry,” Anderson said. He emphasized that the legislation would allow tracks to make independent decisions about their operations without being forced to maintain unprofitable live racing. However, critics warn that decoupling could devastate Florida’s horse racing and breeding industries, which contribute billions of dollars annually to the state’s economy. Jena Antonucci of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association expressed concerns about the ripple effects on local economies. “What it would mean to our local economies and to the agriculture in this state… is billions of dollars that it generates just behind tourism,” she said. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/politics/florida-bill-end-horse-races-racing/67-5f2899bb-0dcf-45bd-998d-b0415c8b87c0