Bill to Restore VI Lottery Autonomy Held as Lawmakers Seek More Financial Input

A bill aimed at restoring the Virgin Islands Lottery’s autonomy won support from some lawmakers Tuesday, but was ultimately held in committee after concerns were raised about whether senators had heard enough from the government’s financial leadership before moving forward. At the center of the debate was a 2022 opinion from then-Attorney General Denise George, which found that the law creating the Lottery did not properly establish it as autonomous.

According to Raymond Williams, executive director of the Virgin Islands Lottery, that opinion determined that the Lottery qualifies as an executive branch instrumentality and is therefore required to use the Department of Property and Procurement for all procurement needs.

Mr. Williams appeared before the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection in support of Bill 36-0233, sponsored by Senator Avery Lewis. The measure would amend Title 32, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 13, relating to the establishment and operation of the Virgin Islands Lottery.

Mr. Williams told lawmakers the proposed amendments are intended to address the shortcoming identified by the Attorney General by “reaffirming and restoring the autonomy the Virgin Islands Lottery was originally intended to possess.”