Virginia Lawmakers Explore the Creation of a Unified Gaming Commission
A recent presentation during the committee's first meeting introduced a potential plan to authorize new gaming types, including real money online poker.
As a panel of Virginia lawmakers makes gradual progress toward consolidating the oversight of gaming in the state, a recent presentation during the committee's first meeting introduced a potential plan to authorize new gaming types, including real money online poker.
The eight-member panel, officially known as the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission, convened on August 21. Its mission is to evaluate the creation of a single independent agency within the executive branch that would oversee most, if not all, forms of gaming.
Currently, three separate executive branch agencies are responsible for gaming regulation in Virginia:
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) – Charitable gaming and fantasy sports
- Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) – Advance-deposit wagering (ADW), historical horse racing (HHR), live horse racing, and simulcast racing
- Virginia Lottery – Land-based casinos, lottery, iLottery, and sports betting
The panel appears to be coalescing around the name "Virginia Gaming Commission" (VGC) for the proposed regulatory agency, a departure from 2022 legislation that had suggested calling it the Virginia Gaming Control Board (VGCB).
"We need to consolidate the agencies that regulate gaming into one entity to ensure consistent, reliable, and effective regulation and enforcement over all forms of gambling," said Del. Paul Krizek (D-Alexandria), a subcommittee member, in an exclusive statement to Poker Industry PRO on Tuesday.
