Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has sent the 36th Legislature a substitute to Bill No. 36-0313 and renegotiated agreements with SGVI Inc. covering racetrack investment, promotion and video-lottery operations in both USVI districts.
The administration says SGVI would invest about $27 million to rebuild the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack on St. Croix, make additional improvements at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas, develop other gaming facilities on St. Thomas and promote racing at both tracks. The revised St. Croix agreement would require the finished facility to carry a minimum appraised investment value of $15 million and allow periodic government inspections during construction.
The substitute also revises exclusivity language, limits video-lottery terminals at the St. Croix racetrack, clarifies racing-commission enforcement duties and proposes a partial gross-receipts-tax exemption. The franchise holder would pay 25% of the tax otherwise due for the first five years after turnover and 50% beginning in year six.
These are proposed terms, not an enacted contract, construction authorization or reopening schedule. The Legislature must approve the substitute and agreements before they can take effect, and Government House is asking lawmakers to consider them during the November session.
Government House and the Legislature should publish the substitute bill, every revised agreement, inspection standards, tax-exemption calculations and any adopted amendments before a final vote.
Source published October 28, 2026; official release does not display a publication time. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
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