Senate Pushes Racetrack, Gaming Bill to August Hearing in Special Session

The Virgin Islands Senate postponed a vote Tuesday on a racetrack and gaming bill, scheduling August hearings amid disputes over St. Croix’s 10-year wait and Southland Gaming’s long-term gaming provisions.

The 36th Legislature met in special session Tuesday, called by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., to consider Bill No. 36‑0313, which would approve long-term lease and franchise agreements with Southland Gaming for the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix and the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas and amend provisions of the Virgin Islands Code concerning gaming and taxation.

Senators voted 8-6, with one abstaining, to send the measure to the Committee of the Whole for a hearing Aug. 19 on St. Croix. The full Senate is scheduled to reconvene Aug. 21 to vote on the bill.

The debate centered on whether the bill should move quickly to restart horse racing on St. Croix, where the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack has been closed for about a decade, or receive additional scrutiny because of its broader gaming provisions.