November 18, 2011

Dear Friends,

In Florida, pari-mutuel wagering is authorized for horse racing, harness horse racing, greyhound racing, jai alai games and cardroom poker games, and the licensing and regulation of these activities is handled by DBPR’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. Florida leads the nation in greyhound racing and is also a major horse racing state. Florida is also the only state in the United States where live jai alai games are conducted; currently there are 28 pari-mutuel facilities located throughout the state. Additionally, slot machine gaming at pari-mutuel facilities is currently authorized in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

The Division must ensure that all licenses and permits issued fall within the guidelines found within Florida Statutes. Furthermore, the Division has been designated authority by the Florida Legislature to carry out the State’s oversight responsibilities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State.

Finally, another of the Division’s primary duties is to ensure that the welfare and safety of animals at each of the Pari-Mutuel facilities is held to high standards. Division investigators inspect the premises and licensed veterinarians at the facilities collect samples from the animals to ensure the dogs and horses have no impermissible medications in their system. If the Division finds someone drugging or otherwise mistreating the animals involved in the wagering events, consequences range from fines to license suspension to revocation.

The Division’s roles and responsibilities are vital to Florida’s economy as well as the citizens of this great state. To learn more about the Division, feel free to visit its webpage here.

Sincerely,

Ken Lawson
Secretary

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFloridaLicense.com