QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED OF THE DIVISION OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
Q. Where can I find the laws that govern Florida pari-mutuel wagering?
A. Laws relating to pari-mutuel wagering are found in Chapter 550, Florida Statutes; Rules relating to pari-mutuel wagering are found in 61D, Florida Administrative Code. Laws relating to gambling and oversight of cardrooms can be found in Chapter 849, Florida Statutes. These documents are found on the Internet at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/statutes.html.
Q. Where can I find information about the new laws relating to pari-mutuel wagering?
A. You can find information about and links to Senate Bill 134, Senate Bill 752, House Bill 1047, and House bill 7069 on the Internet at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/index.html see “Legislative Update”.
Q. Where can I find the laws that govern the cardrooms at Florida pari- mutuel wagering facilities?
A. Laws relating to cardrooms at Florida pari-mutuel facilities are found in Section 849.086, Florida Statutes; Rules relating to cardrooms at Florida pari-mutuel facilities are found in Chapter 61D-11, Florida Administrative Code. Both of these documents are found on the Internet at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/statutes.html.
Q. Can I open or operate a Poker Room in Florida?
A. Poker Rooms are only authorized at existing pari-mutuel facilities, and then only with the permission of the county.
Q. Where can I find information on Bingo in Florida?
A. Bingo is not regulated by the State of Florida. However, many of the counties that allow bingo have their own individual ordinances that govern its operation. To inquire as to the existence of a bingo ordnance in your county, and to acquire a copy of such ordinance, contact your local tax collector’s office in the county that you reside.
Q. Who regulates video lottery machines?
A. The use and play of video lottery machines has not been approved by the Florida Legislature.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 1 of 9 2008 July 14 Q. Can I open or operate a Slot Machine Room in Florida?
A. Slot machines are only authorized at existing pari-mutuel facilities in Broward County.
Q. Can I operate a Game Room with slot machines that pay out in tokens, gift cards, or tickets?
A. The Florida Attorney General has opined that these “adult arcades” are illegal gambling operations and may be punishable as felonies.
Q. Where can I get information on Indian Gaming/Gambling?
A. Indian gaming/gambling is not regulated by the State of Florida. As Indian gaming casinos are on Indian land, which falls within Federal jurisdiction, we do not monitor or have information on their operations. They are regulated by the Indian Gaming Commission, which is located in the United States Department of Interior at 1441 L Street NW 9100, Washington, DC 20005, 202.632.7003.
Q. Who regulates “cruises to nowhere”?
A. Cruises to nowhere, which traditionally dock in a Florida port but conduct their operations at sea, outside of the boundaries of Florida, are not regulated. We do not have any information regarding “cruises to nowhere.”
Q. Where can I find information on the Racing Commission?
A. Florida does not have a Racing Commission; the Florida Division of Pari- Mutuel Wagering has assumed all duties and responsibilities normally carried out by a racing commission.
Q. Where are the racetracks in Florida?
A. There are sixteen greyhound tracks, six jai-alai frontons, three thoroughbred tracks, and one harness racing track in Florida. These facilities are located throughout the State. You may view the Division’s web site at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/documents/FACILITIESMAP.pdf to locate a facility near you.
Q. Is there harness racing (also known as standardbred, trotters, pacers, sulkies) in Florida?
A. Pompano Park, located in Pompano Beach offers harness racing almost year round.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 2 of 9 2008 July 14 Q. When is horseracing conducted in Florida?
A. Thoroughbred and harness racing is offered in South Florida (greater Miami) year round. The Tampa Bay area has thoroughbred racing from December to May.
Q. Can I take my children with me to a racetrack?
A. Maybe. Minor children can attend with their parents or guardians at some facilities; however, it is recommended that you call the facility you plan to visit before bringing a minor. Minor children are not allowed to be unattended at any time at a track or fronton. Only persons 18 years of age or older may wager.
COMPLAINTS
Q. How do I file a complaint against a track, fronton, or person?
A. Complaints must be in writing. You can go to any pari-mutuel facility in Florida to obtain the complaint form from the State Office. This is the preferred method as the Chief Inspector at the track or fronton will be able to assist you in filing the complaint. In many instances, the Division’s Chief Inspector may be able to resolve the issue when you speak with him or her. You may also obtain the Uniform Complaint Form by mail, fax, or Internet by visiting the following site: www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/PMW-FORMS-Pari- Mutuel_Wagering_and_Cardrooms.html.
Q. How do I file a complaint about an “adult arcade” or local slot machine parlor?
A. The Florida Attorney General has opined that these are illegal gambling operations. Local law enforcement is the appropriate agency to address these issues.
Q. I am a licensed veterinarian and one of the licensed horse trainers is severely delinquent in paying me for the treatment I gave his horses. Can the Division make him pay me?
A. The Division can take action against a licensee for unpaid indebtedness if a court order has been secured by the complainant. The Division, however, does not act as a collection agent in such matters.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 3 of 9 2008 July 14 GREYHOUND ADOPTION
Q. I want to adopt a retired racing greyhound. Does the State offer such a program?
A. The State of Florida does not officially sponsor, but does support, greyhound adoption programs. Each greyhound track is affiliated with either a local or national greyhound adoption program. Contact your nearest track to obtain details about their program.
Q. What are the names and addresses of some of the greyhound adoption organizations?
A. Two of the largest greyhound adoption programs are:
Greyhound Pets of America Daytona Beach Chapter P. O. Box 11470 Daytona Beach, FL 32120 Tel: 904.252.6484
Greyhounds as Pets of Northeast Florida P. O. Box 54249 Jacksonville, FL 32245 904.389.2934
WAGERING (betting)
Q. Where is there off-track betting (OTB) offered in Florida?
A. Florida law does not permit off-track betting. Each pari-mutuel facility does offer televised viewing and wagering on selected race and game performances from other Florida facilities, other states, and even other country’s tracks and frontons.
Q. How do I place a bet by telephone?
A. Florida law does not permit telephone or account wagering.
Q. The Internet offers wagering on greyhound races in Florida and other states; is this legal?
A. The Florida Attorney General is of the opinion that this type of activity is illegal. The only place that pari-mutuel wagering can be carried out in Florida is at a pari- mutuel wagering track or fronton.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 4 of 9 2008 July 14 Q. When I attended a race, the track declared the wrong dog the winner. I was watching the television monitor as the dogs crossed the finish line and I know what I saw. What can you do about this?
A. The decision of the judges or stewards is final. In close races, the judges or stewards use a very precise, automated, computer assisted photographic system to determine the order-of-finish. You should note that the television cameras used to broadcast the races are not necessarily located precisely at the finish line. The resultant angle may cause misperceptions about the order-of-finish.
WAGERING TICKETS
Q. I lost a winning ticket from a race. How do I go about being paid?
A. Tracks and frontons require that you present a valid winning ticket for you to be paid.
Q. The day after I left the track, I read in the newspaper that I was holding a winning ticket. Can I still collect my winnings?
A. Yes. You can cash in your winning ticket up to one year from the date of purchase. You can mail your ticket to the track where you purchased it. You should take the usual precautions of using certified mail, return receipt requested, and be sure to make a copy of the ticket prior to mailing.
Q. I had bet a particular combination of horses at the track. After the race was over, I thought I had won but then noticed that the mutuels teller had not given me the combination I ordered. What can I do to be paid since it was his mistake?
A. To prevent such mistakes and their consequences, patrons are responsible for checking the accuracy of their tickets before leaving the ticket window. If you have left the window and discover an error prior to the start of the race, you will be permitted to exchange the ticket for a correct one.
Q. Where will I find financial information regarding pari-mutuel wagering activity in Florida?
A. You may download a copy of the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering Annual Report from the Internet at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/PMW-Publications.html, and periodic statistical data at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/PMW-Statistics.html, or contact the Office of Auditing at 850.488.9125.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 5 of 9 2008 July 14 Q. I do not know how to read my pari-mutuel ticket.
A. The Florida permitholders are required to post, or include in the race/game program, a legend on how to read a ticket.
PARI-MUTUEL LICENSING
Q. Where do I send my application package?
A. Send your complete notarized application to the pari-mutuel facility where you will be conducting business.
Q. Where will I find information regarding the schedule of live performances at pari-mutuel wagering facilities operating in Florida?
A. You will find the current schedule of live performances for all pari-mutuel facilities in Florida at the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering web site www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/track.html or you can contact the Division at 850.488.3211 for a copy of the schedule of live performances.
Q. What do I need in order to obtain a pari-mutuel occupational license?
A. You will need to complete an Individual and/or Business Occupational License Application and a State of Florida fingerprint card. Fingerprints are required upon initial licensure and every fifth licensing year thereafter. Therefore, if you were last fingerprinted on or before April 30, 2002, you will need to submit a fingerprint card. You apply for a pari-mutuel occupational license by visiting a State Office at one of the open pari-mutuel facilities or via regular mail by sending your application and other required documents to the State Office where you will be working and/or conducting business. The forms can be sent to you upon request by calling 850.487.1395 or you can obtain the forms by accessing www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/PMW-FORMS-Pari- Mutuel_Wagering_and_Cardrooms.html.
Q. Can I apply for a pari-mutuel license online?
A. The online application process is not available for pari-mutuel occupational licensees.
Q. Can I update my Pari-Mutuel Wagering or Card Room Occupational License online?
A. No. Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Card Room Occupational licenses can only be updated in the State Office at the facility where you work or by the Licensing Staff in Tallahassee.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 6 of 9 2008 July 14 Q. What are the fees for the various pari-mutuel occupational licenses?
A. The license fees are as follows: (the four-digit numbers preceding the description are the respective profession codes).
BUSINESS LICENSES 1020 PMW Business License (formally 1080 and 1090)------$50 This license is issued for any business including: business animal owner (all industries), contract kennel, contractual concessionaire, estate, stable name, totalisator company, trust, and vendor.) Application for a business license is made using the Business Occupational License Application package. Very Important: Totalisator company applications should not be accepted by the State office. Those applications must be sent to Tallahassee Licensing Office due to special statutory conditions that must be met. 1010 Cardroom Business License (formally 1170, 1180, 1190, and 1193)------$250 This license is issued to any cardroom distributor, management company, distributor, supplier, or vendor doing business with a cardroom. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES Important Note: All first time applicants require fingerprinting ($43.25), and must be fingerprinted and pay the fee every five years thereafter. 1021 Professional Individual Occupational License (formally 1081, 1083, and 1091)------$40 Includes, but is not limited to: authorized agent, jockey agent, racing or game official or alternate, association officer/director, manager/assistant, chief of security, doctor, general manager, harness driver, horse broker, bloodstock agent, horseman’s’ bookkeeper, jockey, apprentice jockey, nurse, officer/director/shareholder of any business, owner (greyhound, harness, quarter horse or thoroughbred), official (race or game), paramedic/EMT/physicians assistant*, plant or track superintendent, trainer or assistant trainer, player (jai alai), public relations director, veterinarian*, mutuels manager, totalisator manager/supervisor/assistant/moneyroom manager/supervisor/assistant and any other professional person with access to restricted areas. 1022 General Individual Occupational License (formally 1082, 1084, and 1099)------$10 Includes, but is not limited to: athletic trainer, ball boy, ball maker, blacksmith/plater, cesta maker, exercise person, groom, head lead out/lead out, horse clipper, hot walker, kennel helper, maintenance employee (with access to restricted areas), outrider, pony rider, security employee, stable agent, stable help, vendor representative (with access to restricted areas), veterinarian assistant, mutuels clerk/teller, totalisator employee, moneyroom employee and any other general employee with access to restricted areas. 1012 Cardroom Employee Occupational License (formally 1181 and 1191)------$50 1013 Cardroom Business Officer/Director/Shareholder (formally 1195)------No fee No license is issued. Officer/director/shareholder submits fingerprint card and pays the $42.25 fingerprint processing fee the first year and every 5 years thereafter. 1031 Pari-Mutuel/Cardroom Supervisor License (formally 1681 and 1692)------$40 This code is for food service, security and maintenance supervisors who require access to restricted areas of the track as well as to the cardroom. 1032 Pari-Mutuel/Cardroom Employee License (formally 1682 and 1692)------$10 This code is for food service, security and maintenance employees who require access to restricted areas of the track as well as to the cardroom. SPECIAL NOTES: A three-year license can be obtained by paying three times the license fee. For example, if you wanted to purchase a three-year Professional Individual Occupational License, you would pay $120. Three- year licenses are NOT available to cardroom employees. Pursuant to s. 205.171, F.S. an honorably discharged disabled veteran from one of the time periods specified in s. 1.01(14), F.S., or the unremarried spouse of a deceased veteran meeting this criteria, may be exempt from license fees up to $50. Fingerprints are required just like any other unrestricted license. Fingerprint fees are not exempt.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 7 of 9 2008 July 14 *Professionals including: doctor, nurse, paramedic, emergency medical technician (EMT), physicians assistant and veterinarian (including track veterinarian) must have a Florida professional license with the proper state agency, prior to occupational licensing by the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.
Q. I submitted a fingerprint card when I was initially licensed. Why do I have to submit fingerprints every five years thereafter? My fingerprints have not changed.
A. Once the FBI processes a fingerprint card the Division cannot resubmit the same card to conduct another criminal history check. Although fingerprints do not normally change, criminal histories can change. A criminal history check is conducted every five licensing years to ensure the public that the individuals and businesses connected with the pari-mutuel industry are of good moral character.
Q. I received a letter from the Department stating my fingerprint card was classified “illegible” by the FBI. Why do I have to resubmit my fingerprints again?
A. Sometimes when fingerprints are taken the ink is smeared or is too light for the FBI to read. In these cases, the Division will send a second fingerprint card to the applicant for completion after it receives the illegible fingerprint card from the FBI. There is no fee involved for the second fingerprint card. If the second fingerprint card is also classified illegible, the Division will not ask the applicant to be reprinted again.
Q. If I am seventy years old or older, why do I have to submit a fingerprint card?
A. Individuals who are 70 years old or older and are applying for a Professional Individual Occupational License (profession code 1021) or a General Individual Occupational License (profession code 1022) are exempt from the fingerprint requirement pursuant to Rule 61D-5.002 of the Florida Administrative Code. Applicants applying for any other type of pari-mutuel license (including slots) must submit a fingerprint card regardless of age.
Q. I have a business that owns racing animals. Which members of my company need to obtain an individual occupational license?
A. If the business is a proprietorship, the owner of the business must obtain a Professional Individual Occupational License. If the business is a partnership, all of the partners must obtain a Professional Individual Occupational License regardless of percentage owned. If the business is a corporation, all officers, directors, and shareholders who own any interest in the business must obtain a Professional Individual Occupational License.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 8 of 9 2008 July 14 Q. I just received my license in March, why do I have to renew by June 30th?
A. The expiration date of June 30th is based on the Pari-Mutuel Wagering licensing year. The licensing year is synchronized with the Divisions fiscal year, which ends June 30th.
Q. Can I renew my license over the phone?
A. No, the division requires that each applicant submit a renewal application with appropriate fees.
Q. I have recently changed my name and moved to a new address. How do I notify the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering?
A. You will need to complete DBPR 0080-1, Request for Address or Name Change Form. You can obtain this form at the pari-mutuel wagering facility where you will be doing business, or on the Internet at www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/PMW-FORMS-Pari- Mutuel_Wagering_and_Cardrooms.html.
PMW and Cardroom FAQs Page 9 of 9 2008 July 14