550.001 – Short Title.
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.
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 […]
550.0115 – Permitholder Operating License.
550.0115 Permitholder operating license.—After a permit has been issued by the commission, and after the permit has been approved by election, the commission shall issue to the permitholder an annual operating license to conduct pari-mutuel wagering at the location specified in the permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. History.—s. 4, ch. 92-348; s. 2, […]
550.01215 – License Application; Periods of Operation; License Fees; Bond.
550.01215 License application; periods of operation; license fees; bond.— (1) Each permitholder shall annually, during the period between December 15 and January 4, file in writing with the commission its application for an operating license for a pari-mutuel facility for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering during the next state fiscal year, including intertrack and simulcast race wagering. […]
550.0235 – Limitation of Civil Liability.
550.0235 Limitation of civil liability.—No permitholder licensed to conduct pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; no commissioner or employee of the commission; 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 […]
550.0251 – Powers and Duties of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
550.0251 Powers and duties of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.—The commission shall administer this chapter and regulate the pari-mutuel industry under this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, and: (1) The commission shall make an annual report to the Governor showing its own actions, receipts derived under the provisions of this chapter, the practical effects of […]
550.0351 – Charity Racing Days.
550.0351 Charity racing days.— (1) The commission shall, upon the request of a permitholder, authorize each horseracing 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 […]
550.0425 – Minors Attendance at Pari-Mutuel Performances; Restrictions.
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 […]
550.054 – Application for Permit to Conduct Pari-Mutuel Wagering.
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 commission 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 […]
550.0555 – Greyhound Dogracing Permits; Relocation Within a County; Conditions.
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 […]
550.0651 – Elections for Ratification of Permits; Municipal Prohibitions.
550.0651 Elections for ratification of permits; municipal prohibitions.— (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 […]
550.0745 – Summer Jai Alai Permit Periods of Operation.
550.0745 Summer jai alai permit periods of operation.—A permitholder issued a permit under former subsection (1) of this section, Florida Statutes 2020, for the operation of a jai alai fronton during the summer season may conduct pari-mutuel wagering throughout the year. History.—s. 14, ch. 92-348; s. 9, ch. 2021-271.
550.0951 – Payment of Daily License Fee and Taxes; Penalties.
550.0951 Payment of daily license fee and taxes; penalties.— (1) DAILY LICENSE FEE.— (a) 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 commission, for the use of the commission, a daily license fee on each live […]
550.09511 – Jai Alai Taxes; Abandoned Interest in a Permit for Nonpayment of Taxes.
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 […]
550.09512 – Harness Horse Taxes; Abandoned Interest in a Permit for Nonpayment of Taxes.
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 […]
550.09514 – Greyhound Dogracing Taxes; Purse Requirements.
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 […]
550.09515 – Thoroughbred Horse Taxes; Abandoned Interest in a Permit for Nonpayment of Taxes.
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 […]
550.105 – Occupational Licenses of Racetrack Employees; Fees; Denial, Suspension, and Revocation of License; Penalties and Fines.
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 commission an occupational license. All moneys collected pursuant to this section each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering […]
550.1155 – Authority of Stewards, Judges, Panel of Judges, or Player’s Manager to Impose Penalties Against Occupational Licensees; Disposition of Funds Collected.
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 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 […]
550.125 – Uniform Reporting System; Bond Requirement.
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 […]