In Virginia, effective July 1, gaming companies will be banned from using the phrase “Virginia is for bettors” in marketing materials. SB 96, sponsored by state Senators Thomas Norment and John Cosgrove, and signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, keeps the state’s slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers,” intact. The measure had widespread bipartisan support.
Norment said, “We’ve spent a lifetime trying to market ‘Virginia is for Lovers.’ I just felt it was trespassing on it.” Any violation of the new law could lead to a fine of up to $50,000.
Norment’s bill was one of the few gaming-related measures to be signed into law this session. HB 1108 will add instruction on gambling addiction to existing school curriculums on drug and alcohol abuse.
A bill that didn’t make it out of a House committee would have legalized in-state wagering on Virginia colleges and universities. As a result, Virginians will have to wait at least another year before they can place legal in-state bets on University of Virginia and Virginia Tech sporting events.
HB 1103, which also died in committee, would have prohibited sports betting operators from excluding bonuses and promotions from taxable revenue after the first year of betting activity.
