Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
A. In addition to the hearing requirements in
subsection C of this section, the process set out in subsection B of this
section shall precede a hearing by the board on the denial of a permit,
license, or registration application.
B. After reviewing an application submitted
for a permit, license, or registration, department staff may recommend that the
director deny the application of an applicant who:
1. Has not established by clear and
convincing evidence that the applicant meets applicable qualifications set out
in the Virginia sports betting law and this chapter, including demonstration of
the good character, honesty, and integrity of the applicant and its principals
and employees; or
2. Has violated:
a. A provision of the sports betting law;
b. A provision of this chapter or
any other chapter related to sports betting; or
c. A condition set by the director.
3. If department staff
recommends that the director deny a permit, license, or registration, the
director or the director's designee shall promptly provide the applicant with
written notice of:
a. The recommendation and
the basis therefor; and
b. The
applicant's right to request an Informal Fact-Finding Conference with the
director or the director's designee as provided by Article 1, Chapter 40
(§
58.1-4007)
of the Code of Virginia.
4. An applicant may submit to the director a
written request for an Informal Fact-Finding Conference within 15 days of the
date of the notice described in subdivision 3 of this subsection.
5. If an applicant fails to timely submit a
request under subdivision 4 of this subsection, the director may adopt as final
the recommendation of department staff.
6. During an Informal Fact-Finding
Conference, an applicant may:
a. Be
represented by counsel; and
b.
Present evidence as to why the permit, license, or registration should be
granted;
7. If after the
Informal Fact-Finding Conference, the applicant is dissatisfied with the
decision of the director, the applicant may submit to the board, in writing:
a. A request for hearing before the board on
the decision of the director; and
b. The applicant's legal and factual bases
for disagreeing with the recommendation of the director.
8. An applicant may submit a hearing request
to the board within 15 days of the date of the recommendation of the director
after the Informal Fact-Finding Conference.
9. If an applicant fails to timely submit a
written hearing request under subdivision 8 of this subsection, the director's
decision shall be adopted as final.
C. Board Process.
1. Upon receipt of a timely written hearing
request, the board shall provide the applicant a hearing notice for a hearing
before the board.
2. The board's
hearing notice, and the board's hearing at which the director's denial will be
considered, shall comply with the requirements of the Virginia Administrative
Process Act, Chapter 40 (§
2.2-4000 et
seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.
3. The board shall:
a. Grant the permit, license, or registration
after determining that the applicant is qualified; or
b. Deny the permit, license, or registration
after determining that the applicant:
(1) Is
not qualified for a permit, license, or registration, or is disqualified from
holding a permit, license, or registration;
(2) Has violated a provision described in
subdivision B 2 of this section; or
(3) Has failed to demonstrate by clear and
convincing evidence that its application should have been granted.
4. Following a hearing,
if it decides to uphold the decision of the director, the board shall:
a. Prepare an order denying the permit,
license, or registration with a statement of the reasons and specific findings
of fact; and
b. Provide the
applicant with written notice of its final action.
5. The board's final action on a permit,
license, or registration denial is subject to judicial review as provided in
§
58.1-4027 of the
Code of Virginia.
D. The
procedures set out in this section shall apply to decisions by the director not
to renew a permit, license, or registration.
Statutory Authority: §§
58.1-4007,
58.1-4015.1,
and
58.1-4030 through
58.1-4047
of the Code of Virginia.