Yesterday, Florida voters approved a new state constitutional amendment that will phase out commercial dog racing in the state in connection with wagering by 2020. Passage of this amendment means that Florida will join 40 other U.S. states that ban this practice. The amendment passed with 69% of voters supporting the amendment.
The amendment provides that after December 31, 2020, a person authorized to conduct gaming or pari-mutuel operations may not race greyhounds or any other dog in connection with any wager for money (or any other thing of value) on the outcome of a live dog race occurring in Florida. The new amendment only applies to those who are approved by the state to conduct racing operations related to gambling.
Some Florida AKC dog owners, exhibitors, and competitors have expressed concerns that the provisions of this measure include or could be expanded to AKC events unrelated to wagering. Amendment 13 does not affect AKC events or lure coursing competitions or other AKC timed events. AKC-sanctioned events do not allow wagering and are not subject or conducted pursuant to those laws. Prizes received for placements in competitive events are not the proceeds of a wager.
Click here for AKC’s September 2018 post on the proposal, which includes the amendment’s text.
AKC’s Government Relations (AKC GR) Department is happy to provide additional information on this amendment. Please contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org with questions about this informational alert.