Virginia, one of the most restrictive anti-gaming states in the U.S., is moving towards loosening those restrictions.
Earlier this year the legislature adopted a bill and Governor Ralph Northam signed if that would allow casinos, sports betting and online gaming. It gives the Virginia Lottery the power to issue one gaming license per city.
The bill aims to encourage casinos in areas where the poverty rate is high and population has declined in recent decades. It requires that the host city support the casino by referendum.
The types of gaming allowed will be up to the Virginia Lottery Board. The board also has the power to allow online gaming and sports book and to decide how much to tax them.
A survey last year showed that 63 percent of Virginia voters would be receptive to sports betting. About the same percentage support the Pamunkey tribe operating a casino and 58 percent said that if tribal casinos are allowed that commercial casinos should be as well.
The discussion of casinos, and the tax revenues they might bring, has also sparked discussions of tax cuts, which in turn fuels the interest in casinos by many residents.
