Horse Racing Bill Runs Dead Last

M.A. Dworkin

USVI - In what is certainly a massive blow to the immediate chances of horse racing returning to St. Croix any time in the near future, but accordingly in a positive signal to the continued financial health of the two STX casinos, Governor Albert Bryan Jr’s highly touted horse racing bill (Bill No. 36-0313) barely left the starting gate, as it was defeated in the Senate by a 10-4-1 vote. 

It wasn’t as if the Senators, led by Senate Majority Leader Senator Kurt Vialet and Senator Kenneth L. Gittens were opposed to bringing horse racing back to the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix, it was the manner in which the bill dealt with the future of gaming on St. Croix and across the USVI that sounded the death knell to the Governor’s proposed bill. 

The package called for approximately $27 million in private investment from Southland Gaming VI, but at the same time  it expanded Southland’s Video Lottery (VLT) agreement by eight years along with introducing VLT gaming to St. Croix, which brought about a great deal of angst from the current STX gaming community.   

“There was no financial analysis to make a determination as to what the government is giving up, what the government is receiving, and that financial analysis needs to be there,” Senator Vialet stated as he raised concerns that Southland’s proposed exclusivity on VLTs, which does not fall under the purview of the Casino Control Commission (CCC), would extend to other gaming devices in the STT-STJ District. 

Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, who was also a strong voice against the bill, stated the agreement would expand VLTs to St. Croix. “There is much more here than the restart of horse racing,” Senator Gittens stated. 

“This is not a horse racing bill. It is a gaming bill,” was the cry from many in the opposition.

Nevertheless, Governor Bryan expressed his deep disappointment with the Legislature’s decision.

“I am deeply disappointed by the Legislature’s action today, but there should be no confusion about what happened. The Legislature, led by Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet, has spoken,” the Governor stated in a press release. “By moving Bill No. 36-0313 to the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, rather than voting on the agreement, the Legislature has effectively killed it and rejected a substantial private investment in the future of horse racing in the Virgin Islands.” 

Despite the pros and cons, the strong opinions on both slides, the outpouring of support by horsemen and other stakeholders, of the proposal, the bill was sent packing, back to the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee where it will more than likely die a slow death.  

So, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on which side of the issue you fall on, St. Croix is back to the starting gate in the pursuit of bringing the Sport of Kings back to the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack.   

In the wake of the bill’s defeat, there have been immediate calls for a more open and transparent process, one that is somehow not tied into giving away exclusive, long-term gaming rights to just one entity. Perhaps a new in-coming administration along with a new influx of Senators on St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John, may be able to come up with a solution to everyone’s liking. We can only hope so. One thing is for sure, there is not an STX racing aficionado who is not chomping at the bit to hear those starting gate words: “And they’re off!”