Virginia Lawmakers Advance Competing Online Casino Bills
Virginia lawmakers have approved competing bills to legalize online casinos, differing on tax revenue allocation and launch dates.Summary
Virginia is progressing towards legalizing online casinos, with both the Senate and House of Delegates passing their own versions of legislation. The Senate Bill 118 passed 19-17, while House Bill 161 was approved 67-30. Key differences lie in how tax revenue will be distributed; the Senate aims to protect existing casinos, while the House also considers potential losses to the state lottery. Launch dates also vary, with the Senate proposing July 2027 and the House suggesting January 2028. Governor Abigail Spanberger has expressed concerns about expanding gambling without stronger oversight, specifically advocating for a new gaming commission. Other gambling-related matters under consideration include a Northern Virginia casino, skill game regulation, and updates to the Fantasy Contests Act. Currently, Virginia’s gambling oversight rests with the Virginia Lottery Board, but officials believe more robust regulation is needed, mirroring the success of online casinos in seven other US states.
(Source：Gamblingnews)