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Amendments that passed could impact local businesses

The future is up in the air for thousands of people and greyhounds after Florida voters approved Amendment 13, which ends greyhound racing in the state by the end of 2020.

“I voted against it. I don’t believe in using dogs for profit of that kind of nature,” neighbor Lisa Parrott said.

But critics say thousands of jobs will be lost and thousands of racing dogs will need new homes.

“I voted no to not end it,” neighbor Joseph Kissane said.

According to the Florida Greyhound Association, Best Bet in Orange Park is one of 11 greyhound racing facilities in the state.

Neighbor Alex Hawkins said he thinks this ban could affect business and in turn impact his neighborhood.

STORY: Florida Election 2018 results

“It’s possible I suppose, as for the government of Orange Park it’s a great tax provider and that would be a negative,” Hawkins said.

Florida Greyhound Association posted on Facebook about the approved amendment that reads in part:
"We will now proceed to legislative and if necessary judicial remedies to be sure our members are properly compensated for the taking of the value of their property."

According to Grey2k USA, a group that pushed to put the amendment on the ballot, about 7,000 greyhounds are housed at kennels across the state.

STORY: Election results: Florida Amendments

The group released a statement that reads in part:
"In a historic vote, Florida voters have delivered a knock out blow to a cruel industry that has been hurting and killing dogs for nearly a century."

But others think casinos will find a way around it.

“I think what they’ll do is the greyhound from other states on the Megatron and make them bet that way,” Parrott said.

STORY: Florida Election 2018: The amendments, explained

Amendment 13 is not the only one that passed and will now have lasting effects in our state.

Amendment 3 also passed, allowing voters to decide whether to expand gambling across the state.

“I voted no on all the amendments. I think it’s the wrong way to approach governing a state,” Hawkins said.

Florida is one of 10 states that allow the sport until the ban goes into effect.

Action News Jax reached out to the spokesperson for Best Bet to find out the impacts of the vote and we will let you know when we hear back.