Virginia online casino discussions could be on the board this year, as a lawmaker has introduced legislation ahead of the session.
Sen. Mamie Locke pre-filed Senate Bill 827 last month, ahead of the Jan. 8 start for the Virginia legislature. It was referred to the Committee on General Laws and Technology.
The bill would authorize online casino gambling in Virginia.
Online Virginia casino bill
Locke’s bill would legalize online casino games in Virginia. The Virginia Lottery Board would regulate the industry and could issue licenses to the four casino operators in the state. Each operator could offer up to three skins.
Casinos would pay a $1 million application fee. Virginia would tax the industry at 15%, with 2.5% going to responsible gambling efforts, while 97.5% would go to the general fund.
The four casino permit holders:
- Caesars Virginia
- Golden Eagle Corp.
- Hard Rock Bristol
- Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Virginia sports betting
Virginia legalized sports betting in 2020.
Along with major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel, smaller operators like Betr and Sporttrade have also secured sportsbook licenses in the state.
Since launching in January 2021, Virginia sportsbooks have taken $19.2 billion in wagers. The operators have generated $1.9 billion in sports betting revenue, sending $224.2 million to the state in taxes.
US online casino push
Seven states have legal online casinos. State legalizations, however, have fallen short of industry hopes, and current headwinds against the expansion of online gambling likely will continue.
Still, multiple bills have been filed before the 2025 sessions heat up, including in Louisiana and Maryland. That comes as the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States continues to put the finishing touches on model iGaming legislation to help proponents bring the industry to their state.
In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker might consider adding online gambling to his budget proposal to help make up a $3 billion budget shortfall.
