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Virginia Law

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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 11. Gaming
11/23/2024

Agency 10. Virginia Racing Commission

Preface

VAC AGENCY NO. 10

VIRGINIA RACING COMMISSION

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Virginia Racing Commission, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 59.1-364) of Chapter 29 of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia, is responsible for controlling all horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering in the Commonwealth and for promulgating regulations and conditions under which horse racing with pari-mutuel wagering is conducted and under which simulcast horse racing is conducted at a licensed horse racetrack or satellite facility in the Commonwealth.

The commission is authorized by Article 1 (§ 59.1-364) of Chapter 29 of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia to disburse funds from the Virginia Breeders Fund to certain breeders and owners of Virginia-bred horses. The commission has the power to issue or deny licenses to owners and operators of horse racetracks or facilities where race meetings are held and pari-mutuel wagering is permitted, and may suspend or revoke the licenses pursuant to Article 2 (§ 59.1-375) of Chapter 29 of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia.

The commission may issue or deny permits to individuals who participate in horse racing or in the conduct of a race meeting or pari-mutuel wagering thereon, and may suspend or revoke the permits pursuant to Article 3 (§ 59.1-387) of Chapter 29 of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia. Pursuant to § 59.1-391 of the Code of Virginia, licenses to construct, establish, or own a racetrack may not be granted by the commission until approved in a referendum held in each county or city in which the track or its facilities are to be located.

The commission operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The provisions concerning horse racing and pari-mutuel betting were approved by the 1988 Virginia General Assembly and by a majority of voters in a referendum held in November 1988. Regulations may be obtained from the commission at 10700 Horsemens Road, New Kent, VA 23124. The commission's website can be found at http://www.vrc.virginia.gov.

Rev. 07/2024

Chapter 10
Public Participation Guidelines [Repealed]Read all
Section 10
[Repealed]
Section 20
[Repealed]
Section 30
[Repealed]
Section 40
[Repealed]
Section 50
[Repealed]
Section 60
[Repealed]
Section 70
[Repealed]
Chapter 11
Public Participation GuidelinesRead all
Part I
Purpose and Definitions
Section 10
Purpose
Section 20
Definitions
Part II
Notification of Interested Persons
Section 30
Notification List
Section 40
Information to Be Sent to Persons on the Notification List
Part III
Public Participation Procedures
Section 50
Public Comment
Section 60
Petition for Rulemaking
Section 70
Appointment of Regulatory Advisory Panel
Section 80
Appointment of Negotiated Rulemaking Panel
Section 90
Meetings
Section 100
Public Hearings on Regulations
Section 110
Periodic Review of Regulations
Chapter 20
Regulations Pertaining to Horse Racing with Pari-Mutuel WageringRead all
Part I
General Provisions
Section 10
Definitions
Part II
Licensure
Section 20
Identification of Applicant for Owner's, Owner-Operator's, or Operator's License
Section 30
Applicant's Affidavit
Section 40
Disclosure of Ownership and Control
Section 50
Disclosure of Character Information
Section 60
Disclosure of Sites and Facilities
Section 70
Disclosure of Development Process
Section 80
Disclosure of Financial Resources
Section 90
Disclosure of Financial Plan
Section 100
Disclosure of Governmental Actions
Section 110
Disclosure of Management
Section 120
Disclosure of Safety and Security Plans
Section 130
Disclosure of Public Service
Section 140
Disclosure of Impact of Facilities
Section 150
Effects on Competition
Section 160
Disclosure of Assistance in Preparation of Application
Section 170
Personal Information and Authorization for Release
Section 180
License Criteria
Section 190
Criteria for Horse Racing Facilities
Section 200
Request for Racing Days
Section 210
Owner, Owner-Operator, or Operator Unlimited License Application Fee
Section 220
Assignment of Racing Days
Section 230
Payment of Owner and Operator License Fee
Section 240
Transfer or Acquisition of Interest in Owner's, Owner-Operator's or Operator's License
Section 250
[Repealed]
Part III
Pari-Mutuel Wagering
Section 260
Generally
Section 270
Request for Types of Pari-Mutuel Pools
Section 280
Approval of Pools
Section 290
Pari-Mutuel Tickets
Section 300
Operations of the Mutuel Department
Section 310
Wagering Interests
Section 320
Straight Wagering
Section 330
Multiple Wagering
Section 340
Refunds
Part IV
Distribution of Purse Money
Section 350
Purse Amounts
Section 360
Adjustments to Purses
Section 370
Overpayments Carried over
Section 380
Underpayments Carried over
Section 390
Willful Underpayment
Section 400
Escrow Accounts
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-20)
Chapter 30
Limited LicensesRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Generally
Section 30
Application for a Limited License
Section 40
License Criteria
Section 50
Limited License Criteria
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-30)
Chapter 40
Satellite FacilitiesRead all
Part I
General Provisions
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Generally
Section 30
Local Referendum
Section 40
Observance of Regulations
Section 50
Interstate Horse Racing Act
Section 60
Majority Ownership
Section 70
Approval of Simulcasting Contracts
Section 80
Disclosure of Contracts
Section 90
Restrictions on Wagering
Section 100
Permits Required
Part II
Application for a License
Section 110
Where to File Application
Section 120
Application Fee
Section 130
Identification of Applicant for a License
Section 140
Applicant's Affidavit
Section 150
Disclosure of Ownership and Control
Section 160
Disclosure of Character Information
Section 170
Disclosure of Site and Facilities
Section 180
Disclosure of Development Process
Section 190
Disclosure of Financial Resources
Section 200
Disclosure of Financial Plan
Section 210
Disclosure of Governmental Actions
Section 220
Disclosure of Management
Section 230
Disclosure of Affirmative Action Plan
Section 240
Disclosure of Lease
Section 250
Disclosure of Safety and Security Plans
Section 260
Disclosure of Impact of the Satellite Facility
Section 270
Disclosure of Assistance in Preparation of Application
Section 280
Personal Information and Authorization for Release
Part III
Simulcasting Schedule
Section 290
Submission of a Simulcasting Schedule
Section 300
Intrastate Simulcasting Schedule
Section 310
Interstate Simulcasting Schedule
Section 320
Special Events
Section 330
Commission Approval
Section 340
Interruption of Simulcast Signal
Section 350
Locking Wagering Machines
Section 360
Digital Display
Section 370
Encryption
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-40)
Chapter 45
Advance Deposit Account WageringRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Authorization to Conduct Account Wagering
Section 25
[Repealed]
Section 30
Operations by Account Wagering Licensee
Section 40
Account Wagering Licensee Requirements
Section 50
Fees
Section 60
Enforcement and Penalties
Section 70
Use of Certain Commonwealth Computers Prohibited
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-45)
Chapter 47
Historical Horse RacingRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Pari-Mutuel Wagering; Generally
Section 30
Observance of Regulations
Section 40
Requirements for Wagering on Historical Horse Racing
Section 50
Location and Hours of Operation of Terminals Used for Wagering on Historical Horse Racing
Section 60
Payouts from Pari-Mutuel Pools Generated by Wagering on Historical Horse Racing
Section 70
Commission Approval of Historical Horse Racing Games and Displays
Section 80
Equipment Required for Pari-Mutuel Wagering on Historical Horse Races
Section 90
Requirements for Tickets or Vouchers Used in Historical Horse Racing
Section 100
Accounting and Occurrence Meter Requirements
Section 110
Historical Horse Race Specifications and Selection Requirements
Section 120
Wagering Terminal Historical Race Display
Section 130
Required Reports for Wagering on Historical Horse Races; Audit and Inspection by the Commission
Section 140
Permits Required
Section 150
Filing of Application; Fee
Section 160
Required Information
Section 170
Duration of License; Transfer
Section 180
Simulcast Operations
Section 190
Significant Infrastructure Limited Licensee Operations
Section 200
Responsible Gaming
Chapter 50
Racing OfficialsRead all
Part I
General
Section 10
Generally
Part II
Personnel
Section 20
General Manager
Section 30
Racing Secretary
Section 40
Licensee's Veterinarian
Section 50
Paddock Judge
Section 60
Patrol Judge
Section 70
Horse Identifier
Section 80
Clerk of Scales
Section 90
Placing Judge
Section 100
Starter
Section 110
Outriders
Section 120
Entry Clerk
Section 130
Clocker
Section 140
Gap Attendant
Section 150
Timer
Section 160
Custodian of Jockeys' Room
Section 170
Valets
Section 180
Claims Clerk
Section 190
Clerk of the Course
Section 200
Director of Security
Section 210
Security Officer
Section 220
Mutuel Manager
Section 230
Photo-Finish Camera Operator
Section 240
Video Patrol Personnel
Section 250
Program Director
Section 260
Track Superintendent
Section 270
Stall Superintendent
Section 280
Horsemen's Bookkeeper
Section 290
Other Persons Qualified to Assist Racing Officials
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-50)
Chapter 60
ParticipantsRead all
Section 10
Generally
Section 15
Fee Schedule for Permit Holders
Section 20
Practicing Veterinarian
Section 30
[Repealed]
Section 40
Horse Owner
Section 50
Authorized Agent
Section 60
[Repealed]
Section 70
Trainer
Section 80
Stable Foreman
Section 90
Night Watchman
Section 100
Groom
Section 110
Hotwalker
Section 120
Jockey
Section 130
Jockey Agent
Section 140
Exercise Rider
Section 150
Pony Rider
Section 160
Farrier
Section 170
Driver
Section 180
Mutuel Clerk
Section 190
Concessionaire or Vendor
Section 200
Concessionaire or Vendor Employee
Section 210
Licensee-Administrative Employee
Section 220
Licensee-Marketing Employee
Section 230
Licensee-Medical Employee
Section 240
Licensee-Operations Employee
Section 250
Licensee-Plant Employee
Section 260
Licensee-Staff Employee
Section 270
Other Applicants for Participation in Horse Racing As Employee of Permit Holder, Vendor or Licensee
Section 280
Independent Contractors
Section 290
Clocker
Section 300
Gap Attendant
Section 310
Stall Superintendent
Section 320
Track Superintendent
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-60)
Chapter 70
StewardsRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Appointment
Section 30
Senior Commonwealth Steward
Section 40
General Powers and Authority
Section 50
[Repealed]
Section 60
Duties
Section 70
Objections and Protests
Section 80
Period of Authority
Section 90
Appointment of Substitute
Section 100
Initiate Action
Section 110
Stewards Hearings
Section 120
Emergency Authority
Section 130
Multiple Wagering Pools
Section 140
Form Reversal
Section 150
Extent of Disqualification
Section 160
Disqualification of Entry
Section 170
Orders Following Disciplinary Actions
Section 180
Fines
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-70)
Chapter 80
Commission VeterinarianRead all
Section 10
Generally
Section 20
Restrictions
Section 30
Duties
Section 40
Prohibitions
Chapter 90
Appeals to the CommissionRead all
Section 10
Request for Review; Stay
Section 20
Where to File a Request
Section 30
Content of Request
Section 40
Withdrawal of a Request
Section 50
Procedures for Conducting a Commission Review
Section 60
Decision by Commission
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-90)
Chapter 100
HorsesRead all
Section 10
Generally
Section 20
Registration Requirements
Section 30
Lip Tattoo Requirements
Section 40
Names of Horses
Section 50
Ringers
Section 60
Concealed Identity or Ownership
Section 70
Nerved Horses
Section 80
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
Section 90
Vision
Section 100
Published Workouts for Thoroughbreds
Section 110
[Repealed]
Section 120
Official Publication Statistics
Section 130
Valuation of Purse Money
Section 140
[Repealed]
Section 150
Stewards' List
Section 151
Veterinarian's List
Section 152
Starter's List
Section 160
Filly or Mare Bred
Section 170
Equipment
Section 180
Sex Alteration
Section 190
Racing Soundness Examination
Section 200
Post-Mortem Examination
Section 210
Walkover
Section 220
Dead Heat
Section 230
Carrying Assigned Weight
Section 240
Injured Horse
Chapter 110
EntriesRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Horses Ineligible to Be Entered
Section 30
Horses Ineligible to Start
Section 40
Filing
Section 50
Stakes Races
Section 60
Closing of Entries
Section 70
Posting
Section 80
Number of Starters
Section 90
Coupling
Section 100
Penalties and Allowances
Section 110
Scale of Weights
Section 120
Foreign Entries
Section 130
Prohibited Entries
Section 140
Preference System
Section 150
Post Positions
Section 160
Also-Eligible List
Section 170
Declarations
Section 180
Scratches
Section 190
Responsibility for Eligibility
Section 200
Reopening Entries
Section 210
Cancelling a Race
Section 220
Divided Races
Section 230
Starter's Fee
Chapter 120
Claiming RacesRead all
Section 10
Generally
Section 20
Claiming Certificate
Section 30
Voided Claiming Certificate
Section 40
Eligibility to Claim
Section 50
Claiming Procedure
Section 60
Invalid Agreements
Section 70
Voided Claims
Section 80
Restrictions on a Claimed Horse
Section 90
[Repealed]
Section 100
Disciplinary Action
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-120)
Chapter 130
Virginia Breeders FundRead all
Part I
Definitions
Section 10
Definitions
Part II
General
Section 20
Generally
Part III
Thoroughbreds
Section 30
Commencement of Registration
Section 40
Stallion Registration
Section 50
[Repealed]
Section 51
Foal Registration
Section 52
Virginia-Sired Thoroughbreds
Section 60
Fund Distribution; Allocation of Funds
Section 70
Restricted Races
Part IV
Standardbreds
Section 75
Commencement of Registration
Section 76
Stallion Registration
Section 77
Foal Registration
Section 80
Allocation and Restriction of Funds
Part V
Arabians and Quarter Horses
Section 90
Allocation of Funds
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-130)
Chapter 140
Flat RacingRead all
Part I
Generally
Section 10
Definitions
Part II
Paddock to Post
Section 12
Safety Helmets
Section 15
Safety Vests
Section 20
Paddock Time
Section 30
Weighing Out
Section 40
Prohibitions
Section 50
Saddling Horses
Section 60
Changing Equipment
Section 70
First-Time Starters
Section 80
Identifying Equipment
Section 90
Inspecting Equipment
Section 100
Post Parade
Section 110
Lead Pony and Rider
Section 120
Outrider
Section 130
Post Time
Part III
Starting a Race
Section 140
Starter
Section 150
Unmanageable Horse
Section 160
Starting Gate
Section 170
Fair Start
Section 180
Nonstarter
Section 190
Assistance Prohibited
Part IV
Post to Finish
Section 200
Leading Horse
Section 210
Interference
Section 220
Third Party Interference
Section 230
Control of Horse
Section 240
Off Course
Section 250
Ridden Out
Section 260
Easing
Section 270
Instructions
Section 280
Reversal of Form
Section 290
Use of Whip
Section 300
Prohibited Equipment
Section 310
Weighing in
Chapter 150
Harness RacingRead all
Part I
Generally
Section 10
Definitions
Part II
Conduct of Racing
Section 12
Safety Helmets
Section 15
Safety Vests
Section 20
Paddock Procedures
Section 30
Sulky
Section 40
Identifying Equipment
Section 50
Racing Colors
Section 60
Substitute Driver
Section 70
Late Driver Change
Section 80
Hopples
Section 90
Excessive Use of the Whip
Section 100
Post Parade
Section 110
Timing Procedure
Part III
Driving Rules
Section 120
Start
Section 130
Racing
Section 140
Objections
Section 150
Driven to the Finish
Section 160
Inconsistent Driving
Section 170
Breaking
Section 180
Excessive Conversation
Section 190
Qualifying Races
Section 200
Time Trials
DIBR
Documents Incorporated by Reference (11VAC10-150)
Chapter 160
Steeplechase RacingRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
Generally
Section 30
Overweights
Section 40
Weighing Out
Section 50
Tongue Ties
Section 60
Identifying Equipment
Section 70
Post Parade
Section 80
Starting
Section 90
[Repealed]
Section 100
Remounting After Fall
Section 110
Weighing in
Section 120
Fences
Section 130
Nsa (National Steeplechase Association) Licenses
Section 140
Minimum Age
Section 150
Use of Spurs
Chapter 170
Conduct of Quarter Horse RacingRead all
Section 10
Generally
Section 20
Starting
Section 30
Timing
Section 40
Distance
Section 50
Time
Chapter 180
MedicationRead all
Section 10
Definitions
Section 20
[Repealed]
Section 25
Veterinary Practices
Section 30
[Repealed]
Section 35
Prohibited Practices
Section 60
Medications and Prohibited Substances
Section 70
[Repealed]
Section 72
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Section 73
Clenbuterol
Section 75
Androgenic and Anabolic Steroids
Section 80
Permitted Race Day Substances
Section 85
Bleeders
Section 90
Bicarbonate Testing
Section 100
Collection of Samples
Section 110
Laboratory Findings and Reports
FORMS
Forms (11VAC10-180)

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