Virginia Senate Backs Online Casinos With 2027 Launch Delay

The Virginia Senate has given a narrow nod to a bill that could bring regulated online casino gaming to the state, but any launch would have to wait for a few years.

Revised Virginia iGaming Plan Adds Safeguards and Pushes Start Date

Democratic senator Mamie Locke put forward the proposal, which just squeaked by after changes were made to tackle worries about protecting consumers and the wider effects of more gambling. The updated plan says online platforms cannot start running until July 2027 at the earliest, giving rule-makers time to create guidelines and safety measures.

The bill would allow Virginia’s current casino operators to grow their businesses into online slot and table games. The plan includes licensing fees and renewals, and operators could team up with outside tech partners, though these deals would cost much more. Tax money from the industry would go to the state’s general budget, with smaller portions set aside to help problem gamblers and to protect physical casinos from losing money.

Before the delay was added, some lawmakers cautioned that the state might be rushing into online gambling. The new schedule now requires the Virginia Lottery Board to create detailed rules by early 2027. They would release draft rules for the public to review and discuss before they take effect.

Virginia Gambling Expansion Hinges on House Negotiations

The bill now goes to the Virginia House of Delegates, where members are considering their own strategy to oversee online casinos. If the two chambers can agree on a final draft, the bill might still need to clear more steps before it lands on the governor’s desk.

Senators cast this vote as part of a bigger effort to bring more gambling choices to Virginia. In another decision, they backed a plan that Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell supports to allow a sixth casino permit, which could end up in Fairfax County. This idea has met with pushback from local leaders and people who live there, while those in favor say it could bring in tax money and keep gambling cash from going to Maryland next door.

The argument over the online casino bill showed the clash between making money and causing harm to society. Those in favor say that controlling digital betting could grab activity already happening on sites without licenses. However, those against it worry about more people getting hooked and how it might hurt current lottery earnings.

Now that the Senate has given its approval, whether online casinos come to Virginia depends on talks in the House. It also hinges on whether the state wants to take a slower, more careful approach to growing digital gambling.