Virginia lawmakers have introduced legislation to create the state’s first-ever gaming commission in a move that could help accelerate further gaming expansion.
The bills introduced in both chambers this week would reassign oversight of Virginia’s casino, sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and historic horse racing industries from the state lottery to the new Virginia Gaming Commission. This would have a negligible direct impact on Virginia sports bettors or DFS players, but it could help spur further industry growth in a state that had opposed gambling for centuries.
Established in 1987, the Virginia Lottery was the first contemporary form of “gambling” legalized in the Old Dominion since its founding more than 400 years ago.
