Virginia Proposes Centralized Gaming Commission

Richmond, VA — A group of Virginia Assembly members is advocating for the creation of a new regulatory body, the Virginia Gaming Commission, to unify and streamline the oversight of gambling activities across the state. This move aims to address existing inefficiencies in the current system, where multiple agencies are responsible for different aspects of gaming regulation.

The proposal, currently under review by the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Committee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission, seeks to consolidate oversight functions that are presently spread across several departments. Proponents argue that this consolidation could not only cut costs but also close regulatory gaps and simplify the process for potential expansions of legal gambling in the commonwealth.

Under the existing structure, the Virginia Lottery is responsible for overseeing gaming in physical casinos and online sports betting, in addition to its traditional lottery operations. Charitable gaming, however, falls under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, while the Virginia Racing Commission regulates both historical and live horse race wagering. The proposed commission would centralize all these activities under one roof, except for the Virginia Lottery’s own ticket sales and vendor relationships.

The Joint Committee has yet to formally endorse the proposal, but committee members have expressed support for the idea of consolidating gaming regulation. According to a report by Markus Schmidt of the Virginia Mercury, a bill to establish the new commission could be ready for consideration by the full Assembly in its next regular session.

If the Virginia Gaming Commission is established, it would play a crucial role in overseeing the state’s existing and potential future gaming operations. Currently, only Rivers Casino Portsmouth has opened its permanent facility among the four licensed brick-and-mortar casinos in Virginia. The commission’s responsibilities could quickly expand if voters in Petersburg approve a referendum in November 2024 to allow a casino in their city. This would necessitate the commission's involvement in licensing and regulatory oversight, potentially including new online gambling options for Virginians.

 

 

Conclusions & The Future

While regulated gaming in Virginia is currently limited to the lottery, horse racing, and sports betting, discussions about further expansion have been sparse and largely behind closed doors. However, the creation of a centralized commission could pave the way for broader conversations, including the potential legalization of online casino games for real money.

Although there is no immediate indication that online casino gaming will be legalized in Virginia, the proposed Virginia Gaming Commission could be instrumental in shaping such an expansion should it come to pass. Lawmakers believe that having a dedicated regulatory body in place might make the Assembly more comfortable with exploring new avenues for legalized gambling in the state.