Virginia’s legalized igaming efforts postponed until 2026
Senator Mamie E Locke has called for any discussion of her own Senate Bill 827 to be postponed until “further study” has been conducted
A Virginia senator’s efforts to legalize igaming in the state this year have been halted as lawmakers called for more time to mull over the prospect.
Senator Mamie E Locke introduced Senate Bill 827 earlier this month, which would have legalized online casino in the Old Dominion State had it approved.
However, as per news site the Virginia Mercury, Locke has since requested that the Senate Subcommittee on Gaming postpone the discussion of the bill, insisting more research is needed before it can progress.
“This bill is designed to authorize reputable, regulated companies to offer internet gaming to Virginians within a safe and legal market,” Locke explained.
“However, after introducing this bill, we have decided that it requires further study on this issue.”
The senator noted that she expects the proposal to be in better shape for consideration by 2026.
The bill had proposed that the state’s three brick-and-mortar casinos would be able to apply for an igaming license before partnering with as many as three online casino operators each.
Bill 827 also outlined how the Virginia Lottery Board (VLB) would be entrusted to oversee the regulated market in the state, as well as issuing igaming licenses.
Locke’s proposed legislation detailed how nine igaming operators would be permitted in Virginia, with each licensee paying $1m to secure the certification, which would be valid for five years.
All operators would be subjected to a 15% tax rate on all gross gaming revenue (GGR), with 97.5% of the generated monies going towards the state’s general funds, while the remaining 2.5% would contribute to Virginia’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
Despite Locke’s plan, Bill 827 was met with concern from some quarters, including the Department of Planning and Budget, which argued that legalized igaming would have a knock-on effect on lottery sales and land-based casinos.