A bill that would level the playing field among pari-mutuel activities while decoupling thoroughbred horse racing from other gambling activities has cleared the House and now awaits action in the Senate.

House lawmakers passed a committee substitute of the measure (HB 881) from Republican Rep. Adam Anderson on a 77-34 vote largely along party lines, with mostly Democrats in opposition.

Anderson’s bill is similar to a 2025 effort that cleared the House and one Senate Committee. It would allow Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach to continue operating its on-site casino without requiring it also to operate horse racing. The measure seeks to align thoroughbred tracks with other pari-mutuel facilities, decoupling them from ancillary activities under a 2021 law (SB 2A).

Like the 2025 attempt, the 2026 bill includes a long lead-up to venues suspending live racing. It would not allow notice of racing suspension until July 1, 2027, and racing would be required to continue for at least three years after the notice of intent to suspend.

Supporters of the legislation say it is necessary to level the playing field for horse race tracks by giving them the option to maintain certain gambling activities even without live horse races, referred to as “decoupling.” It would make each activity independent.

Anderson’s measure would also decouple Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa.

Passage comes despite significant pushback from the thoroughbred horse racing industry.

Critics of decoupling worry the move would spell the end for horse racing in Florida. According to the American Horse Council, the industry has a $3.24 billion economic impact and supports more than 33,000 jobs. The estimate doesn’t account for the tourism impact from horse racing.

While the measure has again passed muster in the House as of Wednesday, its fate in the Senate is murkier. A similar Senate bill (SB 1564) sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie has not yet been heard in any of its three referred Committees.

And even if the Senate were to take up and pass the issue, it’s still unclear whether Gov. Ron DeSantis would allow it to become law.

Speaking to the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association last year, DeSantis said the legislation would “have the effect of harming the industry.”

Notably, DeSantis signed the 2021 legislation that decoupled all pari-mutuel operations in South Florida.