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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 849.251 — Wagering, aiding, abetting, or conniving to race or wager on greyhounds or other dogs; penalty

Current through 2025 Florida Statutes

Part of Chapter 849: Gambling, Florida Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Fla. Stat. § 849.251

Statutory text current through the 2025 Florida Statutes. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Florida.

Fla. Stat. § 849.251Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1) A person in this state may not wager or accept money or any other thing of value on the outcome of a live dog race occurring in this state. A person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A person who commits a second or subsequent violation commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (2) Any person who aids, abets, influences, or has any understanding or connivance with any person associated with or interested in any race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs in this state, to organize or arrange a race of or wager on greyhounds or other dogs in this state, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A person who commits a second or subsequent violation commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.01, any person convicted under subsection (1) or subsection (2) may not have adjudication of guilt suspended, deferred, or withheld. (4) This section does not apply to pari-mutuel wagering authorized under chapter 550.

Official sources

Questions this section answers

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))

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.