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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>80702</law_id><section_number>59.1-364</section_number><catch_line>Control of racing with pari-mutuel wagering</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-326</reference><reference>18.2-334.4</reference><reference>19.2-215.1</reference><reference>19.2-66</reference><reference>52-53</reference><reference>58.1-4030</reference><reference>58.1-439</reference><reference>59.1-369</reference><reference>59.1-370</reference><reference>59.1-391</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="29">Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Virginia Racing Commission</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> <span class="dictionary">Horse racing</span> with <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> is vested with control of all <span class="dictionary">horse racing</span> with <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall encourage participation by local individuals and businesses in those activities associated with <span class="dictionary">horse racing</span>. <a id="paragraph-289288" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-364/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The conduct of any <span class="dictionary">horse racing</span> with <span class="dictionary">pari-mutuel wagering</span> participation in such racing or wagering and entrance to any place where such racing or wagering is conducted is a <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> which may be granted or denied by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> or its duly authorized representatives in its discretion in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to effectuate the purposes set forth in this chapter. <a id="paragraph-289289" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-364/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The award of any prize money for any pari-mutuel wager placed at a <span class="dictionary">racetrack</span> or <span class="dictionary">satellite facility</span> licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall not be deemed to be a part of any gaming <span class="dictionary">contract</span> within the purview of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Gaming contracts void" href="/11-14/">11-14</a>. <a id="paragraph-289290" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-364/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Chapter 41 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/58.1-4100/">58.1-4100</a> et seq.) of Title 58.1. <a id="paragraph-289291" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-364/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> This section shall not apply to any sports betting or related activity that is lawful under Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/58.1-4030/">58.1-4030</a> et seq.) of Chapter 40 of Title 58.1, which shall be regulated pursuant to such chapter. <a id="paragraph-289292" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-364/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1988, c. 855; 1992, c. 820; 1998, c. 619; 2020, cc. 1197, 1218, 1248, 1256.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
