The last five years have brought a major expansion of gambling in Virginia, but oversight falls to a patchwork of state agencies.
Now, lawmakers are considering creating a state agency to regulate the industry.
Virginia has had the lottery and pari-mutuel betting for over 30 years, but in the last five, the options for Virginians interested in placing wagers have exploded. Regulation of the industry remains fragmented. “I think oftentimes maybe we get complacent, and things grow and we don’t acknowledge the growth. We don’t acknowledge the value that they can bring and sort of we lose control,” said Del. Terry Austin (R-Botetourt Co.).
