Legislation to regulate skill games in Virginia, SB 1322, sponsored by Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, has also been referred to the upcoming state budget discussions. The bill seeks to establish a $1,200 monthly tax on gaming devices, directing 70% of the revenue to a new Elementary and Secondary Education Fund and smaller portions to localities, infrastructure, and gambling addiction treatment.
DeSteph cited past success under former Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration, which generated $138 million in revenue from 11,000 electronic betting machines. “This is the same model, to keep it simple,” he said, highlighting security measures like ABC-issued stickers and location-based key cards.
While supporters pointed to potential revenue and oversight, Youngkin last year vetoed similar legislation.
And the Senate committee on Tuesday delayed SB1287, a bill by Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, seeking to establish the Virginia Gaming Commission as an independent agency overseeing all legal gambling in the commonwealth, except the state lottery.
The proposed commission would centralize regulation of casinos, sports betting, and charitable gaming, streamlining oversight by transferring employees from existing state agencies.
Supporters argue the commission would bring efficiency and transparency to Virginia’s growing gambling industry. “While I’m not a particular fan of gaming, I also face the reality that Virginia is becoming a gaming state,” McDougle said. “We ought to have a little bit of a focus on how we’re doing that and make sure that we’re making good decisions.”
Although delayed, the proposal could still be revisited in the coming days as the session’s midpoint approaches.
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