Opponents of greyhound racing said Wednesday they are renewing efforts to end a requirement that some pari-mutuel facilities run dog races to be able to offer other forms of gambling. Several lawmakers joined with animal-rights groups and two rescue dogs at a Capitol news conference and called for changes in the state’s decades-old greyhound racing industry.
“The only reason that we have greyhound racing in the state of Florida is that our laws require pari-mutuel facilities to engage in this barbaric practice simply to keep their licenses,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said.
Under state law, greyhound tracks are required to run races if they want to operate lucrative card rooms. Industry critics have tried unsuccessfully in the past to pass legislation to “de-couple” — or end the connection — between running races and offering other forms of gambling. Those critics hope decoupling would eventually end greyhound racing, which has seen waning popularity in recent years. Lawmakers have also raised the possibility of addressing the issue in a broader debate about the state’s gambling laws during the upcoming legislative session.
source: The News Service of Florida
