Bryan Seeks November Vote on $27M Racing Plan for St. Croix Track

The governor has forwarded a revised proposal to revive horse racing in the territory, submitting fresh terms to Senate President Milton Potter on Wednesday that would unlock a $27 million private investment to rebuild the shuttered St. Croix racetrack.

The updated agreement with Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands (SGVI) introduces tighter rules around electronic gaming devices, requires inspections during construction work and sets a minimum $15 million appraised value for the rebuilt Randall "Doc" James Racetrack. The deal also covers improvements to the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas.

The St. Croix facility has remained closed for over nine years since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck in September 2017. Months of back-and-forth between the administration and lawmakers have blocked progress since the proposal first arrived in April.

"Over the last several months, we have met with all of the stakeholders, listened carefully to their concerns and incorporated all of the recommended revisions into these proposed agreements," Governor Bryan said in a statement. "Now it is time to move forward and deliver on our commitment to restore horse racing in both districts."

The central dispute has centred on how much exclusive power SGVI would hold to run video lottery terminals. The latest version reshapes that language and sets clearer limits on gaming machines at the St. Croix site.

In August, ten senators voted to send the bill back to committee following ten hours of debate. Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet raised concerns about the breadth of gaming exclusivity and whether the government had properly weighed what Southland would gain. Governor Bryan fired back, saying lawmakers were effectively killing the deal, though Vialet countered that the body backed racing but needed to resolve disputed points first.

Under the revised terms, SGVI would hand over 25 percent of gross receipts taxes during the opening five years after reopening, rising to 50 percent afterward. The company must also serve as racing promoter for at least five years.

July changes had already doubled the St. Thomas-St. John Horsemen Association's cut of Clinton E. Phipps revenue from 3 percent to 6 percent and scrapped a full tax waiver for entertainment.

Government House noted that SGVI has already rebuilt the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas and funded 12 race days independently. The new submission does not set a timeline for starting work on the St. Croix facility.