{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-364.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-364.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-364.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-364.html"}],"law_id":80702,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80702,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-364","catch_line":"Control of racing with pari-mutuel wagering","history":"1988, c. 855; 1992, c. 820; 1998, c. 619; 2020, cc. 1197, 1218, 1248, 1256.","full_text":"A\n\nHorse racing with pari-mutuel wagering as licensed herein shall be permitted in the Commonwealth for the promotion, sustenance and growth of a native industry, in a manner consistent with the health, safety and welfare of the people. The Virginia Racing Commission is vested with control of all horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering in the Commonwealth, with plenary power to prescribe regulations and conditions under which such racing and wagering shall be conducted, so as to maintain horse racing in the Commonwealth of the highest quality and free of any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest or unprincipled practices and to maintain in such racing complete honesty and integrity. The Virginia Racing Commission shall encourage participation by local individuals and businesses in those activities associated with horse racing.B\n\nThe conduct of any horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering participation in such racing or wagering and entrance to any place where such racing or wagering is conducted is a privilege which may be granted or denied by the Commission or its duly authorized representatives in its discretion in order to effectuate the purposes set forth in this chapter.C\n\nThe award of any prize money for any pari-mutuel wager placed at a racetrack or satellite facility licensed by the Commission shall not be deemed to be a part of any gaming contract within the purview of § 11-14.D\n\nThis section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100 et seq.) of Title 58.1.E\n\nThis section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Article 2 (§ 58.1-4030 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of Title 58.1, which shall be regulated pursuant to such chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":289288,"text":"Horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering as licensed herein shall be permitted in the Commonwealth for the promotion, sustenance and growth of a native industry, in a manner consistent with the health, safety and welfare of the people. The Virginia Racing Commission is vested with control of all horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering in the Commonwealth, with plenary power to prescribe regulations and conditions under which such racing and wagering shall be conducted, so as to maintain horse racing in the Commonwealth of the highest quality and free of any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest or unprincipled practices and to maintain in such racing complete honesty and integrity. The Virginia Racing Commission shall encourage participation by local individuals and businesses in those activities associated with horse racing.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":289289,"text":"The conduct of any horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering participation in such racing or wagering and entrance to any place where such racing or wagering is conducted is a privilege which may be granted or denied by the Commission or its duly authorized representatives in its discretion in order to effectuate the purposes set forth in this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":289290,"text":"The award of any prize money for any pari-mutuel wager placed at a racetrack or satellite facility licensed by the Commission shall not be deemed to be a part of any gaming contract within the purview of § 11-14.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":289291,"text":"This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100 et seq.) of Title 58.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":289292,"text":"This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Article 2 (§ 58.1-4030 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of Title 58.1, which shall be regulated pursuant to such chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14224,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Racing Commission","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13336,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:21","permalink":{"id":261049,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14224,"identifier":"1","token":"59.1\/29\/1","url":"\/59.1\/29\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13336,"edition_id":1,"name":"Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering","identifier":"29","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","permalink":{"id":261047,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13336,"identifier":"29","token":"59.1\/29","url":"\/59.1\/29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80702,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-364","catch_line":"Control of racing with pari-mutuel wagering","url":"\/59.1-364\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-364","metadata":false},{"id":63550,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-365","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-365\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-365","metadata":false},{"id":57621,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-366","catch_line":"The Virginia Racing Commission created; members","url":"\/59.1-366\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-366","metadata":false},{"id":79521,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-367","catch_line":"Legal representation","url":"\/59.1-367\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-367","metadata":false},{"id":55437,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-368","catch_line":"Financial interests of Commission members, employees and family members prohibited","url":"\/59.1-368\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-368","metadata":false},{"id":68989,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-369","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Commission","url":"\/59.1-369\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-369","metadata":false},{"id":74538,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-370","catch_line":"Commission; Executive Secretary; staff; stewards","url":"\/59.1-370\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-370","metadata":false},{"id":63855,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-370.1","catch_line":"State Racing Operations Fund","url":"\/59.1-370.1\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-370.1","metadata":false},{"id":57554,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-371","catch_line":"Fingerprints and background investigations; investigations from other states","url":"\/59.1-371\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-371","metadata":false},{"id":65716,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-372","catch_line":"Virginia Breeders Fund","url":"\/59.1-372\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-372","metadata":false},{"id":70170,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-373","catch_line":"Hearing and appeal","url":"\/59.1-373\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-373","metadata":false},{"id":74814,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-374","catch_line":"Injunction","url":"\/59.1-374\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-374","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":63550,"structure_id":14224,"section_number":"59.1-365","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-365\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-365","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-364\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 855 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1992, chapter 820; in 1998, chapter 619<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1197<\/a>, 1218<\/a>, 1248<\/a>, and 1256<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":66964,"section_number":"18.2-326","catch_line":"Penalty for illegal gambling","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-326\/"},{"id":83291,"section_number":"18.2-334.4","catch_line":"Exemptions to article; pari-mutuel wagering","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-334.4\/"},{"id":77143,"section_number":"19.2-215.1","catch_line":"Functions of a multi-jurisdiction grand jury","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-215.1\/"},{"id":70476,"section_number":"19.2-66","catch_line":"When Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for order authorizing interception of communications","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-66\/"},{"id":74009,"section_number":"52-53","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/52-53\/"},{"id":67888,"section_number":"58.1-4030","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-4030\/"},{"id":62311,"section_number":"58.1-439","catch_line":"Major business facility job tax credit","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-439\/"},{"id":68989,"section_number":"59.1-369","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-369\/"},{"id":74538,"section_number":"59.1-370","catch_line":"Commission; Executive Secretary; staff; stewards","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-370\/"},{"id":58543,"section_number":"59.1-391","catch_line":"Local referendum required","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-391\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":67888,"section_number":"58.1-4030","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-4030\/"},{"id":65703,"section_number":"58.1-4100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-4100\/"}],"permalink":{"id":261051,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80702,"identifier":"59.1-364","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-364","url":"\/59.1-364\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-364\/","token":"59.1\/29\/1\/59.1-364","dublin_core":{"Title":"Control of racing with pari-mutuel wagering","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-364","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Horse racing<\/span> with pari-mutuel wagering<\/span> as licensed herein shall be permitted in the Commonwealth for the promotion, sustenance and growth of a native industry, in a manner consistent with the health, safety and welfare of the people. The Virginia Racing Commission<\/span> is vested with control of all horse racing<\/span> with pari-mutuel wagering<\/span> in the Commonwealth, with plenary power to prescribe regulations and conditions under which such racing and wagering shall be conducted, so as to maintain horse racing<\/span> in the Commonwealth of the highest quality and free of any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest or unprincipled practices and to maintain in such racing complete honesty and integrity. The Virginia Racing Commission<\/span> shall encourage participation by local individuals and businesses in those activities associated with horse racing<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The conduct of any horse racing<\/span> with pari-mutuel wagering<\/span> participation in such racing or wagering and entrance to any place where such racing or wagering is conducted is a privilege<\/span> which may be granted or denied by the Commission<\/span> or its duly authorized representatives in its discretion in order<\/span> to effectuate the purposes set forth in this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The award of any prize money for any pari-mutuel wager placed at a racetrack<\/span> or satellite facility<\/span> licensed by the Commission<\/span> shall not be deemed to be a part of any gaming contract<\/span> within the purview of § 11-14<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100<\/a> et seq.) of Title 58.1. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Article 2 (§ 58.1-4030<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 40 of Title 58.1, which shall be regulated pursuant to such chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONTROL OF RACING WITH PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING (\u00a7 59.1-364)\n\nA. Horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering as licensed herein shall be permitted\nin the Commonwealth for the promotion, sustenance and growth of a native\nindustry, in a manner consistent with the health, safety and welfare of the\npeople. The Virginia Racing Commission is vested with control of all horse\nracing with pari-mutuel wagering in the Commonwealth, with plenary power to\nprescribe regulations and conditions under which such racing and wagering shall\nbe conducted, so as to maintain horse racing in the Commonwealth of the highest\nquality and free of any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest or unprincipled\npractices and to maintain in such racing complete honesty and integrity. The\nVirginia Racing Commission shall encourage participation by local individuals\nand businesses in those activities associated with horse racing.\n\nB. The conduct of any horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering participation in\nsuch racing or wagering and entrance to any place where such racing or wagering\nis conducted is a privilege which may be granted or denied by the Commission or\nits duly authorized representatives in its discretion in order to effectuate the\npurposes set forth in this chapter.\n\nC. The award of any prize money for any pari-mutuel wager placed at a racetrack\nor satellite facility licensed by the Commission shall not be deemed to be a\npart of any gaming contract within the purview of § 11-14.\n\nD. This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that\nis lawful under Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100 et seq.) of Title 58.1.\n\nE. This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that\nis lawful under Article 2 (§ 58.1-4030 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of Title\n58.1, which shall be regulated pursuant to such chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 855; 1992, c. 820; 1998, c. 619; 2020, cc. 1197, 1218, 1248,\n1256.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}