Deputy Editor
Both Virginia legislative chambers have passed versions of a bill that legalizes iGaming, including poker. Now, all that’s left is for the two chambers to agree on the details of the bill’s final form before sending it to the governor for approval.
Given the amount of disagreement in both chambers before the bills’ passage, that could still present a roadblock.
The Senate initially nixed the bill, 20-19, before agreeing to a reconsideration. It narrowly passed a revote, 19-17, with three of the initial nay voters abstaining.
Similar contention existed in the House. Again, the iGaming bill was initially voted down, 49-46. However, a reconsideration there led to a wild swing — the revote produced a 67-30 margin in favor of the bill. That came after amendments were added to protect retail casino interests and more fully address responsible gambling.
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Virginia iGaming Passes Amid Heated Debate
Debate about the possibility of legal iGaming in Virginia produced some eye-opening quotes from legislators.
Del. Thomas Garrett Jr. likened iGaming to felony crimes, according to a Yahoo report.
“Do we need money so bad that we should tax and regulate fentanyl?” he said. “Should we tax and regulate rape, murder, strong-arm robbery?
“We don’t tax and regulate things that destroy people because our responsibility is to try to form a more perfect union, not to cater to the basal instincts and the greed of people who wish to make money without regard for human life.”
Another source reported that Garrett said legal iGaming will “kill people.”
Proponents of the bill maintained that Virginia residents are already gambling online, and legalizing and taxing the activity is the only sensible route forward.
The continued proliferation of prediction markets may also be adding to the pressure to legalize online betting. Prediction market providers frequently advertise availability and legality in all 50 states. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) continues to reaffirm support for the burgeoning vertical. Hence, states without a betting option that produces local tax benefits are left feeling that they’re leaving money on the table.
Will Virginia Governor Support iGaming?
Significant hurdles still remain for Virginia iGaming.
There’s no guarantee that the two chambers can reach an agreement. If the Senate doesn’t agree to the amendments the House added, the bill might die.
Even if they do, the governor’s support isn’t a given. Gov. Abigail Spanberger hasn’t given much public comment on the issue.
One hint did come in the form of a quote from Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. She told the House of Representatives that the governor wants a gaming commission set up before expanded gambling becomes a reality in Virginia:
Governor Spanberger is deeply concerned about any discussions of gaming expansion in Virginia without first establishing a single entity with clear authority, consistent standards and strong compliance and enforcement capabilities.
Virginia lawmakers are already working on that with SB271. SB271 has passed all of its committee votes easily, and the full House approved it resoundingly, 90-7.
The Senate bill for legal iGaming calls for a timeline that leads to a July 1, 2027, launch.
Image credit: Anderskev/Wikimedia Commons (license)
