Virginia Capitol Connections, 2025 Annual Magazine 19 Why Virginia Needs a Gaming Commission Now By DELEGATE PAUL KRIZEK Virginia’s gaming industry is booming, and the transformation is happening faster than anyone could have predicted. Permanent casinos are open in Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth. Petersburg voters overwhelmingly approved their own casino, which will have a temporary location set up soon. The fifth and final licensed casino is on track to open in November at a temporary location in Norfolk. A bill was introduced to license a sixth casino in Fairfax County, and there are reports that Winchester may be interested in a new casino—which would make seven, just two fewer than in New Jersey’s famous Atlantic City. The new Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries has added 1,650 Historical Horse Racing terminals, and the state’s one live thoroughbred racing track, Colonial Downs, has expanded to host 47 live racing days this year, capped off by a very well-attended Virginia Derby on March 15, earning the coveted status as a Kentucky Derby qualifier. Three charities are running live poker tournaments. There are over 300 charitable bingo halls, 3,233 electronic pull tab machines (as of August 7, 2025, at 297 locations); online sports betting is firmly established, and mobile apps for fantasy contests and racing wagers are drawing thousands of users — not to mention the Commonwealth’s robust online Lottery product. The momentum is undeniable: gaming has become a central feature of Virginia’s economy, fueling new jobs, tourism, and revenues that support schools, veterans, charities, and the equine industry. But rapid growth without unified oversight brings risks. Right now, responsibility is scattered across multiple agencies — the Lottery, the Racing Commission, and the Department of Agriculture — each with different standards and enforcement powers. The result is inconsistent rules, duplicative bureaucracy, and confusion for both players and operators. Consider this: all from the same phone, a Virginian can place a sports bet, enter a fantasy contest, and wager on a horse race — but each of these activities is overseen by a different agency. That’s a recipe for inefficiency, regulatory gaps, and consumer frustration. Meanwhile, unregulated markets like “skill games”, offshore iGaming, and sweepstakes continue to operate in legal gray zones. Virginia risks leaving money on the table while exposing residents to predatory practices that lack consumer protections. Virginia has made important strides to address problem gambling in recent years, from creating a treatment and support fund to launching awareness campaigns. Yet, as gaming expands, so does the potential for addiction. Virginia currently ranks just 27th nationally in per-capita investment in problem gambling prevention, treatment, and research. That’s not good enough. Behind every revenue figure are Virginians who need help. A new commission would put problem gambling at the center of policy, coordinating research, prevention, treatment, and recovery across the Commonwealth. The creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission (VGC) is not about building more bureaucracy—it’s about promoting smarter government. A unified commission would streamline oversight by bringing all gaming under one roof, with consistent standards and enforcement. It would strengthen consumer confidence by ensuring transparency and fairness across all gaming platforms. The creation of the VGC would support economic opportunity in the Commonwealth by establishing clear rules that help small businesses, labor unions, women- and minority-owned firms, and local workers compete on a level playing field. A unified agency could better dedicate resources to problem gambling prevention and treatment, and lastly, stay ahead of the curve by preparing Virginia to regulate new forms of gaming efficiently as they inevitably emerge. The stakes are clear. Gaming can continue to be a powerful engine for jobs, revenue, and community investment—but only if it’s managed responsibly. Without streamlined oversight, the risks multiply: predatory practices, inconsistent rules, and a loss of public trust. The Virginia Gaming Commission is the step we need to preserve the good, address the challenges, and build a fair, safe, accountable, and prosperous gaming industry for everyone in the Commonwealth. Delegate Paul Krizek has been a member of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2016. BECOME A MEMBER Problem Gambling is Real: VCPG Can Help The Virginia Council on Problem Gambling is the Commonwealth's expert for education, training, and recovery assistance for Virginians impacted by gambling. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, chat, or text our confidential free helpline at 1-888-532-5300. vcpg.net CAROLYN E. HAWLEY, PH.D., CRC PRESIDENT, VCPG V
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