House passes bill to license electronic gaming devices, imposes 30% tax and caps machines The Virginia House on March 3 passed SB 661 to license and regulate electronic gaming devices, including a proposed 30% tax on gross profits, limits on machines and new penalties; the bill passed on a recorded count, 57–39–1 after sponsors described safeguards and opponents raised concerns about scope.

Virginia just took a monumental step towards regulating electronic gaming devices with a new bill that imposes a 30% tax and sets strict limits on the number of machines—could this finally curb the illegal gaming market?

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#VA #ConsumerProtection #CitizenPortal #VirginiaGaming

Gaming bill divides House after impassioned floor speech; initially fails then later passes A lengthy, emotional floor speech condemned HB 161 (expanded gaming and internet casino authority), the House initially voted the bill down, then later returned it to the calendar and recorded passage — underscoring the measure's contentious path through crossover day.

A fierce debate over a controversial gaming bill led to a surprising twist as it was initially rejected, only to be resurrected and passed later in a dramatic legislative showdown.

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#VA #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VirginiaGaming #GamblingAddiction

Virginia Senate passes iGaming legalization after heated debate and reconsideration After an extended floor debate on youth risks, verification and lottery impacts, the Senate passed Senate Bill 118 to legalize internet casino gaming following a motion to reconsider; the measure first failed 19–20 and, after reconsideration, passed 19–17.

The Virginia Senate has sparked a fierce debate over the legalization of internet casino gaming, with passionate arguments from both sides on public health and tax revenue implications.

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#VA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VirginiaGaming #TaxRevenue #YouthAddiction

House subcommittee advances internet-gaming tax substitute and moves to create independent Virginia Gaming Commission A House subcommittee adopted a substitute for House Bill 161 to authorize internet gaming and impose a 20% tax (5% to a problem-gambling fund), passed 5–2; it also reported out House Bill 271 to form an independent Virginia Gaming Commission, 7–0, and approved a separate skill-games tax substitute.

Virginia is on the verge of transforming its gaming landscape with new measures to legalize internet gaming and establish an independent Gaming Commission!

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#VA #RegulatoryOversight #CitizenPortal #VirginiaGaming #ProblemGambling #InternetGaming

Committee backs internet gaming authorization with 20% tax and funding for problem-gambling supports The committee reported House Bill 161 with an appropriation substitute that authorizes internet gaming and imposes a 20% tax on adjusted gross internet gaming revenue; 5% of collected tax revenue would be deposited into a problem-gambling treatment and support fund until 2037. The bill reported 14–8.

Virginia is one step closer to legalizing internet gaming as House Bill 161 passes committee with a proposed 20% tax to fund problem-gambling support!

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#VA #ProblemGamblingSupport #CitizenPortal #VirginiaGaming #TaxReform #InternetGaming

Senate committee advances a package of gambling bills, including a proposed Fairfax entertainment district A Senate committee in Richmond advanced several gambling-related measures, reporting committee substitutes that would authorize an entertainment district in Fairfax County, rename the Virginia Lottery to expand gaming oversight, and create new tax/regulatory schemes for skill and internet gaming.

Virginia's Senate committee just took a big step toward reshaping gambling regulations, potentially generating billions for education and local communities!

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#VA #CitizenPortal #VirginiaGaming #EntertainmentDistrict #EducationFunding #RegulatoryReform

Subcommittee advances iGaming bill after hours of public testimony; reported to Appropriations 5–4 The House subcommittee reported House Bill 161, a substitute to regulate online casino‑style iGaming, to Appropriations after a 5–4 vote following extensive testimony on consumer protections, lottery impacts and job commitments.

Virginia's House Bill 161 aims to regulate the booming online casino gaming scene with strict consumer protections and potential impacts on lottery funding—will it be a win for players or a gamble for education?

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#VA #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #VirginiaGaming

Senate General Laws Committee advances iGaming, skill‑game and poker limits; refers casino, fantasy sports bills to finance The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted to adopt substitutes and refer several gaming proposals to finance, including an iGaming substitute, a proposal creating a Virginia Gaming Commission and amendments limiting poker rebuys and raising age limits for play. Committee members also adopted stricter problem‑gaming measures for online platforms.

Virginia's Senate Committee just took a significant step forward in gaming legislation, proposing stricter rules for online platforms and creating a new Gaming Commission!

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#VA #CitizenPortal #ResponsibleGaming #LegislativeReform #ConsumerProtection #VirginiaGaming

Virginia Lottery warns long-term funding shortfall for casino regulation; urges planning for gaming commission financing The Virginia Lottery told the General Assembly subcommittee that licensing fees now fund casino regulation but will not sustain the agency indefinitely, citing an estimated $7 million annual gap and urging the legislature to plan funding for a future Virginia Gaming Commission.

The Virginia Lottery warns of a looming $7 million funding shortfall for casino regulation, urging lawmakers to rethink long-term financing for a sustainable gaming future.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #CasinoRegulation #SustainableFinancing #RegulatoryFunding #VirginiaGaming