Summary:
- Richmond appears to be off the table for a new casino site.
- Petersburg is still under consideration as a possible home.
- Lawmakers quickly pushed the bills through the Senate committee.
Lawmakers in Virginia met this week to discuss gambling bills that will bring new casinos to the state. The Senate General Laws and Technology Committee took up several measures and decided quickly on their fate.
One bill SB541 swiftly gained approval was one to permanently remove Richmond from the list of cities to host a casino.
A Look at the Gambling Bills
The committee voted 15-0 to approve a measure that permanently removes Richmond as an option for a casino home. Already, referendums on the ballot in 2021 and 2023 have seen voters reject the idea. It’s obvious that locals do not want a casino there, and lawmakers are just reiterating that point. Those on the committee feel that the law needs to be passed to ensure that voters voices are heard.
At the time of rejection in Richmond, an effort was also made to move the casino project to Petersburg. This seems to be a more favorable location and lawmakers on the committee are in approval. Lawmakers agree that Petersburg is struggling economically and would benefit greatly as a casino host.
Another bill SB675 which is in the mix was one that suggests bringing a casino to the northern portion of the state in Fairfax County. The bill gained favor among the committee and was approved. The measure would add a casino, conference center, and event venue to Tysons Corner.
Lawmakers back the proposal due to the economic status of this region as well. If the Northern measure remains on the table, we may see even more casinos come to the state in the future. Additional hearings will need to be held on all the approved measures to determine if the bills will continue progressing.
Sports Betting Legislation Also Approved
The committee also heard a measure regarding the legalization of sports betting on college games involving schools in the state. The General Assembly approved sports betting in 2020, but there was a stipulation that college betting involving teams from Virginia could not take place.
The goal was to shield students from the gambling industry. However, some lawmakers feel that people are still betting on Virginia sports, but the money is going to nearby states. With the new measure, prop bets on college sports would be prohibited. Players would only be able to wager on the outcome of a game instead of individual athletes.
It is unclear how much support this measure has, but it might be enough to push it through the full assembly at a later date.
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