59.1-378.1 - Licensing of owners or operators of certain pari-mutuel facilities. - Virginia Statutes

§ 59.1-378.1. Licensing of owners or operators of certain pari-mutuelfacilities.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 59.1-391, the Commission may grant alicense, for a duration to be determined by the Commission, to the owner oroperator of a steeplechase facility for the purpose of conducting pari-mutuelwagering on steeplechase race meetings at that facility for a period not toexceed fourteen days in any calendar year, provided that, prior to makingapplication for such license, (i) the steeplechase facility has beensanctioned by the Virginia Steeplechase Association or National SteeplechaseAssociation and (ii) the owner or operator of such facility has been grantedtax-exempt status under § 501 (c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code.For purposes of this section, "steeplechase facility" means a turfracecourse constructed over natural ground which is utilized primarily forraces where horses jump over fences.

B. In deciding whether to grant any license pursuant to this section, theCommission shall consider (i) the results of, circumstances surrounding, andissues involved in any referendum conducted under the provisions of §59.1-391 and (ii) whether the Commission had previously granted a license tosuch facility, owner, or operator.

C. In no event shall the Commission issue more than twelve licenses in acalendar year pursuant to this section.

(1996, cc. 663, 750; 2000, c. 1002.)