Florida criminal charge
Wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty in Florida
Wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 849.251. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 849.251.
What is the penalty for wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Illegal wagering on live dog race — first offense — A person wagers or accepts money or anything of value on the outcome of a live dog race occurring in this state, for a first violation.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Illegal wagering on live dog race — first offense — A person wagers or accepts money or anything of value on the outcome of a live dog race occurring in this state, for a first violation.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Illegal wagering on live dog race — second or subsequent offense — A person commits a second or subsequent violation of wagering or accepting money or anything of value on the outcome of a live dog race.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Illegal wagering on live dog race — second or subsequent offense — A person commits a second or subsequent violation of wagering or accepting money or anything of value on the outcome of a live dog race.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — first offense — A person aids, abets, influences, or has understanding or connivance with any person to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs, for a first violation.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — first offense — A person aids, abets, influences, or has understanding or connivance with any person to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs, for a first violation.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — second or subsequent offense — A person commits a second or subsequent violation of aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — second or subsequent offense — A person commits a second or subsequent violation of aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illegal wagering on live dog race — first offense | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person wagers or accepts money or anything of value on the outcome of a live dog race occurring in this state, for a first violation. | Fla. Stat. § 849.251(1) |
| Illegal wagering on live dog race — second or subsequent offense | Felony of the Third Degree | A person commits a second or subsequent violation of wagering or accepting money or anything of value on the outcome of a live dog race. | Fla. Stat. § 849.251(1) |
| Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — first offense | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person aids, abets, influences, or has understanding or connivance with any person to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs, for a first violation. | Fla. Stat. § 849.251(2) |
| Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — second or subsequent offense | Felony of the Third Degree | A person commits a second or subsequent violation of aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs. | Fla. Stat. § 849.251(2) |
Common questions about wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty in Florida
Is wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 849.251.
Illegal wagering on live dog race — first offense: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.251(1)) · Illegal wagering on live dog race — second or subsequent offense: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.251(1)) · Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — first offense: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.251(2)) · Aiding, abetting, or conniving to organize a dog race or wager — second or subsequent offense: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 849.251(2))
What are the penalties for wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty in Florida?
Penalties for wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty?
Wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty is governed by Fla. Stat. § 849.251 (Wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.