Florida Statutes Title XXXIII Chapter 550 - Pari-mutuel Wagering

• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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,...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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....
• 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,...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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,”...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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,...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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’...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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,...
• 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...
• 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,...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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...
• 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,...

Last modified: September 23, 2016