Bill > SB609

This bill establishes the Virginia Lottery and Gaming Authority to oversee and regulate all forms of legal gambling in the Commonwealth, consolidating oversight of the lottery, historical horse racing, and casino gaming under one entity. It amends various sections of the Code of Virginia to reflect this consolidation, including transferring regulatory authority for horse racing from the Virginia Racing Commission to the new Virginia Gaming Commission and updating references to the Virginia Lottery to the Virginia Gaming Commission where applicable. The bill also introduces new provisions for various forms of gaming, including charitable gaming, casino gaming, sports betting, fantasy contests, and historical horse racing, detailing licensing requirements, operational rules, taxation, prohibited acts, and penalties for each. Key changes include the establishment of the Virginia Gaming Commission Board, the Commissioner, and various divisions to manage these regulatory functions, along with specific rules for different types of gaming, such as limitations on prize amounts for charitable gaming, requirements for casino gaming operators and their facilities, regulations for sports betting platforms and facilities, rules for fantasy contests, and the framework for historical horse racing. The bill also makes conforming changes to existing laws, such as those related to the Attorney General's authority in criminal prosecutions and exemptions from certain disclosure requirements under the Freedom of Information Act, to align with the new regulatory structure.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB609