Virginia Lottery approves permanent casino gaming regulations
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Virginia Lottery has approved proposed plans for regulations which would see casino gaming enter the state.
These build upon initial emergency casino regulations previously approved by the Board on February 3, and will now pass to the governor for approval. After this there will be a 60-day public comment period, leading up to final approval by the Lottery Board.
Legalisation of Casino and Sports gaming in the state was passed through the Virginia General Assembly in 2020, with the Virginia Lottery Board in place to oversee the regulation of the industry.
Currently there are four proposed land-based casinos in Virginia in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth. Operating partners in each case will be Hard Rock International, Caesars Entertainment, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, and Rush Street Gaming, respectively. Each was approved by voters in local referenda in November 2020.
A fifth proposed casino, in the city of Richmond, is subject to a different timetable and has not yet been approved by local voters. It is expected to be on the ballot in November 2021.
This recently saw Richmond’s casino evaluation panel recommend that the One Casino + Resort move forward as the preferred casino gaming operator, as Urban One, which owns and operates 55 radio stations as well as the TV One network, edged out the Cordish Companies’ $600m Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond.
“The Lottery’s gaming compliance department and office of general counsel have been diligently working to set up the regulatory and licensing framework to ensure casino gaming in Virginia is secure and transparent,” said Kevin Hall, Virginia Lottery executive director.
“In this role, we see the Lottery as the public’s watchdog, confirming that the law and regulations are followed, and the integrity of casino gambling is protected.”
