Virgin Islands greenlights reconstruction deal with two casino firms for St. Thomas racetrack

Virgin Islands 34th Legislature voted in favor of legislation ratifying a settlement agreement between the government and two casino management companies. Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands Inc. and VIGL Operations LLC invested in the reconstruction of Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack facility on St. Thomas. In 2016, former Gov. Kenneth Mapp allowed Vigl Operations to operate video lottery terminals within St Croix’s Randall James racetracks and install another 200 at the St Thomas Clinton Phips raceway. Vigl Operations objected to the arrangement, because the company was granted exclusive rights to run video Lottery gaming in Virgin Island since 2003. The dispute was settled out of court.

The 34th Legislature approved the bill in an 8-7 vote. Senator Kenneth Gittens is concerned about the way video lottery terminals are regulated. The agreement approved by the Legislature will make it difficult for the Casino Control Commission to regulate. On St. Croix the Commission is responsible for gambling. However, on St Thomas and St John it's more loosely regulated under the jurisdiction of the V.I. Lottery Office.