Virginia Senator Mamie Locke has pre-filed SB 827 ahead of the Virginia legislature’s slated beginning on January 8th, 2025. This legislation opens up exciting possibilities for the state’s gambling industry.
The proposed bill would legalize online casino games alongside the already established online sportsbooks that launched in 2021. The bill also places the Virginia Lottery Board in charge of regulating all online casino gambling in the state and provides the agency with four online casino licenses.
The bill mandates a $1 million application fee and a 15% tax. The industry’s revenue will provide 97.5% of the general fund and another 2.5% to responsible gambling efforts.
The four casinos expected to obtain a license are Caesars Virginia, Golden Eagle Corp. (currently under construction), Hard Rock Bristol, and Rivers Casino Portsmouth. Senate Bill 827 was referred to the Committee on General Laws and Technology for further consideration and feedback on how it would affect the community.
Virginia Gambling History
The state of Virginia, while new to the modern domestic gambling industry, has a rich history of charitable gaming dating back to 1973. The first permanent casino, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, was opened in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the state’s gambling history. Hard Rock Bristol was the first temporary casino to open its doors in 2022 and recently opened its permanent location.
Today, Virginia gambling options include fantasy and traditional sports betting, charitable gaming, casino gambling, state-regulated lottery, and horse race betting.
Online Gambling In The United States
Only six states currently allow online casino gambling: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. However, several states, including Virginia, Louisiana, and Maryland, filed online casino legislation before the 2025 legislative session. While many players still have access to legal online betting sites that operate outside of the United States, in our opinion, the more, the merrier, online casinos haven’t taken the fast track alongside sportsbooks in the states.
Online sports betting has also been available in the US for years; however, after the federal Supreme Court overturned the Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, many states elected to allow in-person and online sports betting. Today, 36 states allow in-person sports wagering, and 30 states, +DC, authorize mobile sportsbooks.