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.