West Virginia permits certified thoroughbreds to compete for restricted-race prizes

West Virginia-certified thoroughbreds can enter restricted races, which limit entry to eligible horses, for prize money only. Horses in the separate West Virginia accredited category receive entry preference over certified horses only when entries exceed available places. Horses must register with the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association and complete six consecutive months of verified state residence before the year they turn three. A 30-day allowance covers travel to and from qualifying horse sales or documented veterinary care. The association requires an affidavit, certification, or an audit or inspection. Certified horses cannot enter West Virginia Accredited Stakes Races or West Virginia Breeders Classics, or receive money from the West Virginia Thoroughbred Fund. The race-entry provision names May 1, 2026, as its start date, while the act states an overall effective date of June 7, 2026.

Covered racetracks may use up to $2 million a year from their general race-prize fund for restricted races. The ceiling covers thoroughbred tracks that did not participate in the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund for more than four consecutive years before December 31, 1992. Accredited horses may race for an extra percentage of prize money if the racetrack and the organization representing most owners and trainers agree in writing. The West Virginia Racing Commission must approve race schedules, prize amounts, and race types. The extra-prize provision starts July 1, 2026. The act's general effective date is June 7, 2026.

Racetracks must put half of the fees remaining from out-of-state race broadcasts into their race-prize fund after required deductions. These rules cover licensed racetracks broadcasting races to legal betting businesses outside West Virginia. Deductions cover employee pensions, required thoroughbred development payments, and direct broadcast costs. One percent of broadcast fees goes to employee pensions. Thoroughbred tracks with more than four consecutive years of development-fund participation before December 31, 1992, also pay 7.5 percent into that fund. At thoroughbred tracks, these prize-fund deposits may instead support broadcast improvements if the racetrack and the representative of most owners and trainers agree. The act's general effective date is June 7, 2026.

The West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund receives 1.5 percent of covered video lottery income from licensed greyhound tracks. The share applies both to base income and to annual income above each track's income in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001. The percentage applies to net video lottery income, meaning income remaining after the law's required deductions. Both greyhound-fund allocations start July 1, 2026.