Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has called the 36th Legislature into special session to consider a revised agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Southland Gaming Virgin Islands LLC, the latest step in an effort to restore horse racing on St. Croix while establishing a long-term framework for the sport across the territory.
The special session follows weeks of discussions between the Bryan administration, lawmakers, horse racing organizations, the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission and Southland Gaming after concerns were raised about the original proposal submitted to the Legislature in April. Bryan said those meetings helped shape the revised package now before senators.
“This agreement has been discussed, questioned, reviewed and revised. That is how the process should work,” Bryan said in a statement Friday. “We listened to the horsemen, we listened to lawmakers and we listened to the concerns raised by the people most directly connected to this sport. The revised agreement now before the Legislature reflects that engagement and gives us a responsible path forward.”
Bryan first transmitted the proposed franchise agreement and related legislation to the Legislature on April 28 as part of a public-private partnership with Southland Gaming, formerly known as SGVI Inc. The proposal is intended to restore and provide for the long-term operation of horse racing in the territory through reconstruction of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix while supporting continued operations at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas.
After lawmakers and horse racing stakeholders raised concerns, Bryan convened meetings with representatives of the recognized St. Croix Horsemen Association, the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission, the St. Thomas-St. John Horsemen Association, Southland Gaming Virgin Islands and members of the 36th Legislature in June to work through the outstanding issues.
According to the governor’s transmittal letter, those discussions resulted in consensus on four key revisions to the agreement:
- establishing a minimum operational commitment period for Southland Gaming as promoter of the racetrack facilities;
- revising how gross receipts taxes will apply to entertainment events held at the tracks;
- requiring quarterly reports on gaming revenue to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, the Legislature, the Horse Racing Commission and the recognized horsemen’s organizations; and
- requiring quarterly distributions of proceeds to the recognized horsemen’s organizations in each district.
All other documents submitted to the Legislature in April remain part of the proposal.
Bryan said restoring horse racing is about more than rebuilding a racetrack.
“For generations, horse racing has been part of who we are as Virgin Islanders,” he said. “It has brought families together, supported small businesses, created jobs and given many of our young men a place to learn discipline, responsibility and pride. We have an opportunity now to bring that back in a way that is structured, sustainable and fair to the people of the Virgin Islands.”
Horse racing has long been part of the Virgin Islands’ sporting and cultural tradition. While racing resumed on St. Thomas in 2024 following improvements at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack, the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix has remained inactive for years, making its restoration a longstanding priority for horsemen and racing enthusiasts.
In his transmittal letter, Bryan said the revised package is designed to provide “a practical and sustainable framework for the restoration of horse racing in the Territory, particularly on St. Croix,” while ensuring continued accountability, regulatory oversight and long-term operational stability.
Bryan said the special session will give lawmakers an opportunity to decide whether the revised agreement should move forward.
“This issue has been before us for a long time,” he said. “The people who care about this sport, the horsemen who have kept it alive and the communities that have waited years for progress deserve a decision.”
The Legislature is scheduled to consider the revised agreement during its July 21 special session.
