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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>373053</law_id><section_number>59.1-386</section_number><catch_line>Acquisition of interest in licensee</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="127" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="35" identifier="29">Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="2" identifier="2">Licenses</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall require any <span class="dictionary">person</span> desiring to become a partner, <span class="dictionary">member</span> or <span class="dictionary">principal stockholder</span> of any <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> to apply to the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> for approval thereof and may demand such information of the applicant as it finds necessary. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall consider such application forthwith and shall approve or deny the application within 60 days of receipt. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall approve an application that meets the criteria set forth in this chapter. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall deny an application if in its <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> the acquisition by the applicant would be detrimental to the public interest or to the honesty, integrity, and reputation of racing. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall approve an application to acquire actual control of a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> only if it finds that the applicant meets the criteria set forth in subsection B. <a id="paragraph-1391582" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-386/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If an applicant proposes to acquire actual control of a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, such <span class="dictionary">person</span> shall, pursuant to subsection A, submit to the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> (i) its proposal for the future operation of any existing or planned <span class="dictionary">racetrack</span>, or <span class="dictionary">satellite facility</span> owned or operated by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, (ii) such additional information as it desires, and (iii) such information as may be required by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> to assure the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> that the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, under the actual control of such <span class="dictionary">person</span>, will have the experience, expertise, financial responsibility and commitment to comply with (a) the provisions of this chapter, (b) <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> regulations and <span class="dictionary">orders</span>, (c) the requirements for the continued operation of the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> pursuant to the terms and conditions in effect on the date of the application of all licenses held by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, (d) any existing <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with a recognized majority horseman&#x2019;s group, and (e) any proposal submitted to the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> by such <span class="dictionary">person</span>. The provisions of this subsection shall apply regardless of whether the control acquired is direct or indirect or whether its acquisition is accomplished individually or in concert with others. <a id="paragraph-1391583" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-386/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any such acquisition of control without prior approval of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall be voidable by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> and, in such instance, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may revoke any license it has issued to such <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, <span class="dictionary">order</span> compliance with this section, or take such other action as may be appropriate within the authority of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>. <a id="paragraph-1391584" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-386/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1988, c. 855; 2003, c. 705.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
