Virginia Racing Commission Rejoins RCI

The Virginia Racing Commission voted July 20 to rejoin the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

The commission previously was a member of RCI, but it dropped out a few years ago to become a member of the North American Pari-Mutuel Regulators Association.

"The commission based its decision on the broad scope of services offered by RCI, the leadership role RCI has taken on important regulatory issues effecting racing in Virginia and across the country, and the strong belief that state commissions should unite under one roof to be more effective advocates for our industry," commission chairwoman Ann Poulson said in a release.

RCI president Lonny Powell said the return of the Virginia commission to the organization "gives RCI a really strong presence in the very active Mid-Atlantic region of the country. We look forward to the possibility of additional new members coming on board with RCI."

In addition to Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic based members include the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing commissions in Delaware, the New Jersey Racing Commission, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission, and the West Virginia Racing Commission. Virginia becomes the 25th member of RCI.