Bill > HB2498

This bill: Establishes the Virginia Gaming Commission as an independent state agency responsible for overseeing and regulating various forms of legal gaming in Virginia, excluding the state lottery. The Commission will be led by a Commissioner appointed by the Governor and will include a Gaming Commission Board of 11 members (9 nonlegislative citizen members and 2 ex officio members). The Board will have the power to promulgate regulations for charitable gaming, casino gaming, sports betting, and fantasy contests, and will provide policy and legislative recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly. Key provisions include establishing a voluntary exclusion program, creating consumer protection standards, and setting up mechanisms for licensing, permitting, and investigating gaming-related activities. The bill creates detailed frameworks for different types of gaming, including specific rules about who can participate, how games can be conducted, and penalties for violations. The Commission will be funded through a Commonwealth Gaming Operations Fund and will be exempt from certain state personnel and procurement regulations to ensure flexibility in its operations.