Virginia online casino bill filed ahead of session

Virginia online casino discussions could be on the board this year, as a lawmaker has introduced legislation ahead of the session.

Sen. Mamie Locke pre-filed Senate Bill 827 last month, ahead of the Jan. 8 start for the Virginia legislature. It was referred to the Committee on General Laws and Technology.

The bill would authorize online casino gambling in Virginia.

Locke’s bill would legalize online casino games in Virginia. The Virginia Lottery Board would regulate the industry and could issue licenses to the four casino operators in the state. Each operator could offer up to three skins.

Casinos would pay a $1 million application fee. Virginia would tax the industry at 15%, with 2.5% going to responsible gambling efforts, while 97.5% would go to the general fund.