Virginia Online Casino Legalization Up for Discussion in 2025

Virginia lawmakers are going to discuss the possibility of legalizing online casino real money options for their citizens. State Senator Mamie Locke pre-filed online casino bill SB827 on New Year’s Eve and it will officially be offered on January 8, 2025 in the Virginia General Assembly.

SB827 would allow each of the state’s commercial brick-and-mortar casinos, namely Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Caesars Virginia in Danville, Boyd Gaming’s project in Norfolk, and Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in Petersburg, to pursue online gaming privileges. 

As currently written, each casino would be allowed up to three iGaming skins, or unique online casino brands. These casinos would pay a $1 million fee for a license that lasts for five years.

What Would the Virginia Online Casino Bill Include In Its Statutes?

There are many statutes SB827 will have to ensure the online casino environment will be properly regulated and cater to the public in the event that it gets the green light. For instance, one of its proponents is that the tax rate proposed in the bill is 15%. 

This falls within the recommended range of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) model igaming legislation, though it does deviate from the recently unveiled document in some ways.

One notable difference is that Sen. Locke’s legislation would allow for credit card deposits, something the model law expressly prohibits. Moreover, SB827 also expressly states that online casino sites can offer live dealer games from studios that are not located within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Will the Virginia Online Casino Bill Face Opposition?

One of the biggest oppositions SB827 will face during the Virginia General Assembly would be the Cordish Companies, which has been unwavering in its opposition to iGaming in markets across the country where it operates.

Last year, Cordish was one of the most outspoken opponents of proposed online casino legislation in Maryland. Moreover, the Cordish Companies as well as many labor unions launched a campaign against Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary’s online casino bill in 2024. The bill managed to get out of the House last year before ultimately fizzling out in the Senate.

Mark Stewart, Cordish’s General Counsel, testified before lawmakers in Louisiana that iGaming can create a severe vacuum to foot traffic in conventional casinos which will lead to less revenue and less opportunities for reinvestment.

Stewart stated that iGaming is a jobs killer and brings “more financial pain than gain” for the state,

“Online gambling is very different than in-person casino gaming. At Maryland’s casinos, regulations and the casinos’ procedures are geared to create a pause in the action and make patrons think twice before placing that next bet,” Stewart added.

Cordish Companies President Rob Norton also stated at SBC Summit North America last year that given the current state of traditional and online casinos, the impact of the latter should be discussed,

“I was very pro iGaming at one point in my career, and not so long ago honestly. But as as time has gone on and we’ve started to see the results of states that have brought on casino, and even as mobile sports betting is expanded, my opinion and my view of things started to shift slightly to the point where I think that we have to have a real honest conversation about what’s happening today,” Norton added.

What Does This Mean for Online Casinos in Virginia?

Unlike other states who have legalized online casinos, the Mother of States still has a long way to go to be considered to be one of the best casinos online in the U.S. 

The other casino operators in the state include Caesars, Hard Rock, Rush Street and Boyd, which is working with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to open a casino in Norfolk.

That said, local legislators who have lobbied for SB827 and support from casino operators like Boyd and Caesars who have expressed support for iGaming is a step in the right direction for establishing a potential online casino environment within the state.