<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend and reenact § 59.1-392 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pari-mutuel wagering; historical horse racing; percentage retained for distribution.</p>
HB49 revises Virginia’s pari-mutuel wagering statute to change how revenue from horse racing wagers is retained and distributed, with a particular focus on historical horse racing. The bill sets out detailed percentage allocations for live racing, simulcast racing, and historical horse racing at racetracks and satellite facilities, including amounts for the Commonwealth, localities, purses, operators, and several horse-industry-related funds and organizations. It also specifies how breakage is split, how unredeemed tickets are handled, and when payments must be remitted.
A major feature of the bill is the reallocation of historical horse racing proceeds beginning July 1, 2026, especially for satellite facilities, where the locality share changes from a split between the satellite locality and the racetrack locality to a larger share going directly to the satellite locality. The bill also preserves and adjusts support for the Virginia Breeders Fund, veterinary education, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, the Virginia Horse Industry Board, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, and the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. It clarifies that these payments support the Commonwealth’s policy of sustaining and promoting a native industry.
HB49 would amend § 59.1-392 of the Code of Virginia, changing the statutory distribution formula for pari-mutuel wagering revenue across live, simulcast, and historical horse racing pools. It affects racetrack operators, satellite facilities, local governments, horsemen’s groups, and several designated agricultural, veterinary, and racing-related funds. The bill also modifies the timing and allocation of payments and expressly addresses historical horse racing distributions at satellite facilities after July 1, 2026.
The bill appears to have been generally favorable in committee and on the House floor, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes in subcommittee and committee and strong House passage. However, the measure did not advance cleanly through the Senate side and was continued in Finance and Appropriations by a 13-2 vote, indicating some unresolved concerns or lack of consensus. Overall, the discussion history suggests broad support for the underlying horse-racing revenue framework, but not enough agreement to complete final passage in the session.
The main points of contention likely center on how historical horse racing revenue is divided, especially the shift in locality payments for satellite facilities after July 1, 2026, and the balance between state revenue, local revenue, and industry support. Another possible issue is the continued earmarking of funds for specific horse-industry entities and related programs, which may draw scrutiny from members concerned about revenue earmarks or gambling policy. The final continuation in Senate Finance and Appropriations suggests that while the bill had support, some legislators may have wanted further review of fiscal impacts, distribution fairness, or policy consequences for localities and operators.