Potential legal Virginia online casinos are unlikely to be approved until at least 2027 after lawmakers Thursday advanced an amended bill with a new delay mandate.
Key Takeaways
Virginia lawmakers advanced an amended online casino bill that effectively delays legalization until at least 2027 by requiring passage in two consecutive sessions.
Supporters argue iGaming would generate new tax revenue and regulate a large illegal market.
The bill narrowly passed committee votes and remains divisive, signaling limited political appetite for final approval in the near term.
The iGaming legalization bill advanced out of the House of Delegates General Law Committee and on to the powerful Appropriations Committee, which could then send the bill to the floor for passage. But the bill included recently added language that requires a full vote in both the House and Senate in this year’s and next year’s legislative sessions, potentially ending ratification hopes in 2026.
The Senate had previously advanced a companion Virginia online casino bill, which technically proves a lifeline for 2026 legalization efforts. But the House’s move Thursday, in practice, shows there probably isn’t enough political appetite this year to bring the bill up for a final vote.
Lawmakers had introduced a similar bill in 2025, only to table it for further review in 2026.
Still, the 2026 legislation continues to potential floor votes in both chambers. If it passes each General Assembly chamber this year – no sure bet – it must now also do so again in 2027, where all House members will be up for re-election and the political calculus around iGaming could change again.
Virginia online casinos remain divisive
The bill has divided lawmakers – and would-be stakeholders.
Proponents, including two of the state’s brick-and-mortar casino operators, have argued online casino gaming is a way to generate new revenue for the state while combating the existing unregulated digital gambling market. A legal market, proponents argued during legislative hearings in both chambers leading up to Thursday’s vote, offers tax benefits and consumer protections against what is estimated to be a multibillion-dollar illegal online casino market in the state.
Opponents, including Live! Casino Virginia operator Cordish Companies, have argued the bill will hurt existing brick-and-mortar casino revenues and cost the state thousands of jobs. Multiple lawmakers said during hearings they feared online slots and table games would increase problem gambling.
Virginia lawmakers’ concerns echo those in multiple other statehouses where iGaming legislation has stalled. Only eight states have legal iCasinos, and only four have competitive markets similar to Virginia’s proposal.
Details for Virginia iGaming bill
If passed, Virginia would be poised to join New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and neighboring West Virginia among the legal, competitive iGaming jurisdictions.
The bill would allow each of the state’s five brick-and-mortar casinos to partner with up to three third-party mobile operators apiece, meaning there could be as many as 15 legal iGaming platforms. Lawmakers are also considering separate legislation to permit a Tysons casino, which could presumably also partner with three platforms if approved.
Caesars and its Caesars Palace iCasino brand would be sure bets to launch if iGaming is approved. The company also operates the Horseshoe iCasino platform, which the company could also open if it chooses not to partner with a competitor.
Third-party companies in other states have paid millions of dollars to brick-and-mortar operators for online casino and sportsbook access.
Boyd’s Stardust iCasino would also be a safe bet to launch. So, too, would other Virginia brick-and-mortar casino operators Hard Rock and BetRivers’ parent company Rush Street Gaming.
Representatives on behalf of FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, and bet365 also have testified in support of the bill. These companies, which make up more than 75% of the nation’s online casino gaming handle, would be among the leading candidates to partner with a brick-and-mortar casino.
The Virginia bill is the first iCasino measure that would require each casino to open a live dealer studio within the state.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here