Pari-Mutual Betting Tax

General Information
Assessment and Tax Rate
Registering to File

General Information

Pari-Mutual Betting Tax

Off-Track Betting or Pari-Mutual Betting Fees tax began in Henrico County December 10, 1996, with the opening of the Off-Track Betting (OTB) facility at 9127 W. Broad St, Henrico, which is split by the County/City line. The current OTB facility is located at 9127 W. Broad Street, Henrico, VA 23294.

Within five days of each race, Colonial Downs faxes a report to the Accounting Division detailing the daily race handle and the monies being remitted to Henrico via an ACH Transfer. The auditor for the Virginia Racing Commission reviews the daily faxes to ensure compliance.

Relevant code: State of Va. Code §59.1-392

Assessment and Tax Rate

This tax is charged on the amount of the pari-mutual betting pool retained by the operator of a live or off-track horse racing facility. For Henrico, the tax rate is 1/8% for win-place-show wagers and 1/4% for exotic wagers placed on live in state racing and at the OTB Parlor. (Note: the Henrico percentages reflect 50% of those stated in the Code because the parlor is located on the County/City line.)

Registering to File

Any person desiring to hold a race meeting or operate a satellite facility must file with the Virginia Racing Commission an application for an operator’s license. For additional information, please call the Virginia Racing Commission at (804) 966-7400.

For more information contact the Revenue Division at 804-501-7329.