Legalized casino gambling and sports wagering are approaching
the finish line in Virginia following the recent passage of two
bills by the Virginia General Assembly. Senate Bill 36 and House
Bill 896, both awaiting the signature of Virginia Governor Ralph
Northam, would permit five land-based casinos, online sports
betting and up to 2,000 additional historical horse racing
machines. This Alert provides an overview of the
legislation.
Senate Bill 36 and Casino Approval
Senate Bill 36 permits the Virginia Lottery Board to issue one
casino license in each of the following five cities: Norfolk,
Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth and Richmond. Each city’s
casino is contingent on prior approval from local voters during the
November 2020 general election. Specifically, the bill provides
that each city may designate its “preferred casino gaming
operator.” Next, the Virginia Lottery Board will need to
certify the selected operators. If the designated casino is
certified, the