Tampa Bay Downs

About Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs is a Florida-licensed thoroughbred horse racing track at 11225 Race Track Road in Tampa, Florida, owned by Stella F. Thayer and Howell Ferguson. The track has operated live thoroughbred racing since 1926 and operates The Silks Poker Room — a 36-table poker room — under Florida’s pari-mutuel cardroom licensing alongside live racing and simulcasting. Restaurant, self-parking, and valet are on site. The minimum gambling age is 21, regulated by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Phone: (813) 855-4401; email: webaccess@tampabaydowns.com; website: tampabaydowns.com.

Tampa Bay Downs is in northwestern Hillsborough County near the Westchase and Citrus Park communities, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Tampa via FL-580 and Race Track Road. The 1926 founding date makes Tampa Bay Downs one of the oldest continuously operating thoroughbred tracks in the southeastern United States. The track’s seasonal thoroughbred racing meet typically runs from November through May, followed by year-round simulcasting from other tracks.

The Silks Poker Room is the branded name for the Tampa Bay Downs card room, with dedicated social media presence at @SilksPokerRoom (Twitter/X) and @thesilkstbd (Instagram). The Horseplayers Club is a detected loyalty component for racing enthusiasts. The detected amenities include hotel, spa, gym, golf, sportsbook, and ADA accessibility — indicating a broader facility footprint worth verifying directly at tampabaydowns.com.

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Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa, Florida

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Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Florida

The Silks Poker Room

The Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs runs 36 tables spreading Omaha, Stud, and Texas Hold’em under Florida’s pari-mutuel cardroom licensing. The Stud spread alongside Omaha and Texas Hold’em gives The Silks more format variety than standard NL Hold’em-only Florida card rooms. Current stakes, running games, and tournament events are at tampabaydowns.com and on the @SilksPokerRoom social accounts.

Live Horse Racing

Tampa Bay Downs has operated live thoroughbred horse racing since 1926 — nearly a century of continuous thoroughbred racing at the same Tampa location. The seasonal racing meet typically runs November through May with live races on multiple days per week during the meet. Simulcasting runs year-round from tracks across the US and internationally. The Horseplayers Club serves regular racing patrons.

★ Editor note

The Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs — 36 tables, Stud and Omaha, and a century of thoroughbred racing

Tampa Bay Downs has run thoroughbred races since 1926 and now combines the historic racing tradition with a 36-table poker room under The Silks brand. The Stud and Omaha spreads alongside Texas Hold'em give the room more format depth than most Tampa Bay poker rooms. The racing season (November–May) is the primary draw for racing fans; simulcasting and poker run year-round. Confirm current stake levels and the racing schedule at tampabaydowns.com.

Priya Sharma

Responsible Gaming Editor