Virginia Internet Casino Bill Through First Assembly Subcommittee

Virginia Del. Marcus Simon’s companion internet casino gaming bill passed through its first Assembly subcommittee Wednesday by a narrow 5-4 vote.

Simon’s bill, HB 161, had a series of amendments that were rolled into a substitute bill prior to the vote by the ABC/Gaming subcommittee within General Laws. Caesars and the Sports Betting Alliance were among proponents of the bill, while representatives for the National Association Against Internet Gaming (NAAiG) and Campaign for Fairer Gambling voiced their opposition.

Some of those amendments specific to responsible gaming mirrored ones made by state Sen. Mamie Locke to SB 186. Locke’s bill advanced out of the General Laws Committee last week following her amendments.

Simon and Locke go on offensive

Simon presented his bill the same day the Daily Press published an opinion article written by Simon and Locke seeking public support for their bills.

The pair argued their legislation “provides a framework for licensing legitimate iGaming platforms and requires they have a physical connection to Virginia through our brick-and-mortar casinos.” They noted such models have worked to great success in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; there, “experience shows players abandon illegal platforms in favor of playing on regulated ones.”

Simon and Locke also highlighted the revenue aspects of their bills, pointing out 5% of taxes would be earmarked for the state’s problem-gaming fund and 6% would be placed in a hold-harmless fund as a means of addressing the cannibalization concerns of brick-and-mortar venues.

Simon’s bill will next be heard in the Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, while Locke’s proposed legislation awaits the Finance and Appropriations Committee in the upper chamber.