Va. Racing Commission adds new commissioners
Nixon, Brand step down
Nick Hahn
March 12, 2026
The first all-virtual meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission was held on March 11, the day prior to the opening of Colonial Downs’s Virginia Derby mini-meet.
New to the Commission are Martha Sedwik Mavredes of Midlothian and Nancy Love Williams of New Kent County, who were appointed by the office of Governor Abigail Spanberger on March 10 to “ensure Virginia’s horse racing industry operates with the highest integrity.”
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
Mavredes is the state’s former Auditor of Public Accounts, and Williams is a lawyer focusing on corporate and commercial law, including equine law.
The new commissions were announced among other appointments made to the Virginia Parole Board and the Virginia Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments. Mavredes and Williams replace former chair Stephanie Nixon and Bette Brand. John F. Tanner was elected chairman of the commission and recognized Nixon and Brand for their distinguished service and professionalism.
“Whether it is making timely, fair parole decisions, recommending quality board members, or providing appropriate oversight to Virginia’s horse racing industry — the Virginians appointed today bring much needed skills, expertise, and passion to these roles,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger in a release. “I know these Virginians will serve our neighbors with integrity, and I look forward to their service.”
Within the last year, the Commission has been criticized for its approval of the Roseshire gaming parlor in western Henrico County and the 2024 administrative approval for the installation of 500 additional HHR machines above the 700 machine initially approved at the Hull Street Rosie’s located in Richmond south of the James River. Based on inquiries made to a widespread range of industry officials about both approvals, neither site has experienced any troublesome incidents.
Historical horse racing machines (HHR) handled over $6.3 billion in Virginia in 2025, with that providing both financial stability to the track operator and millions of dollars for purses, breeding, and so on, reported Waqas Ahmed, the VRC’s Executive Director. The handle represented a $1 billion increase over the previous year.
Limited licenses were approved to conduct racing meetings for Shenandoah Downs, Virginia Gold Cup, and Colonial Downs in 2026, as well as pari-mutuel wagering through HHR for Colonial Downs. The commission approved annual licenses for account wagering for NYRAbets, ODS Technologies (TVG), FanDuel Racing, Twinspires and Xpressbet.
Ahmed provided a quick update on the two impactful legislative bills with a few days left in the current session of Virginia’s General Assembly that adjourns March 14.
HB271, a bill involving the formation of a Virginia Gaming Commission that would include oversight of HHR and other relatively new forms of gaming to the Commonwealth, such as casinos and sports betting, has been tabled to the 2027 session, while a similar Senate bill is in a conference committee of the House and Senate. Lawmakers are also attempting to reconcile two bills (HB161, SB118) that would legalize and regulate iGaming and online casinos, though that legislation may also be headed to the 2027 session.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
LATEST NEWS
