Racing Commission

The West Virginia Racing Commission oversees and regulates the Greyhound and Thoroughbred horse racing industry in West Virginia. The West Virginia Racing Commission licenses all persons, associations, or corporations that hold any horse racing meet within the State where racing is permitted for any stake, purse, or reward, as well as Satellite Simulcast Betting and inter-track betting. The Commission makes all regulations governing the races and, through its stewards and judges, officiates the conduct of racing. All persons engaged in racing in West Virginia must be licensed and a person operating under an assumed name must register with the Commission for permission to use such a name. The Commission may revoke or suspend the license of any person or corporation engaged in racing within the State who violates the racing laws or Commission rules. The Commission conducts hearings on appeals, collects taxes and fees, distributes the taxes and fees collected to various subdivisions and other entities, collects and tests specimens at its equine laboratory of horses participating in the races and oversees the administration of the breeding enhancement programs.