Governor Albert Bryan Jr. convened with legislators on Wednesday to advocate for a horse racing partnership with Southland Gaming, but the 36th Legislature's senators indicated the following day that the proposal still falls short of their requirements.
Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet told The Daily News that the governor appeared to prioritise Southland Gaming's interests over those of the Virgin Islands racing community. "At a certain point it felt to me like the government was negotiating on behalf of Southland Gaming, and not on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands' horse racing industry," Vialet said.
Under the proposed arrangement, Southland Gaming would receive exclusive commercial rights to operate racing and wagering at the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack on St. Croix and the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas. The company would also run gaming centers and two entertainment complexes targeting visitors, while extending its video lottery terminal agreement for eight additional years. Southland would commit approximately $27 million in investment.
Senators, including budget committee chairman Novelle Francis Jr., voted in August to return the bill to committee rather than pass it. Their objections centred on uncertainty about the value of gaming concessions and tax breaks, and concern that the exclusivity provision would bind future legislatures to Southland's monopoly.
Vialet indicated that Wednesday's discussion presented no revised terms. "Yesterday, we did not have a new document that we were looking at," he said. Bryan and his legal team attended, but Southland Gaming did not send representatives.
Without changes to the exclusivity clause, Vialet signalled he will not advance the measure. "We don't want to lock up numerous legislatures that you can't have casino gaming on St. Thomas, they have to go through Southland," he said.
Bryan, with fewer than three months remaining in his term, stated in a Government House release that he anticipates the Legislature will consider the agreement during November's session. Vialet offered no commitment to bring it to a vote.
The impasse has halted racing operations on St. Thomas. Following the August vote, Southland Gaming lost its license to conduct races. When Bryan rejected a temporary arrangement, the Labor Day races were cancelled with only two weeks' notice. The St. Thomas facility had committed $600,000 annually for prize money but has hosted only three races this year.
Senator Franklin Johnson said he will oversee anti-doping rules and introduce legislation if needed to establish racing standards, independent of whether the broader Southland agreement advances.
The territory has pursued horse racing development for a decade. A 2016 contract with VIGL to restore the St. Croix track ended in a settlement last year after the company stalled following the 2017 hurricanes. Southland Gaming, already operating the St. Thomas track which resumed racing in 2024, was introduced as a potential partner in July.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.