Virginia Lawmaker Plans to Introduce Sports Betting Bill

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Virginia may soon become the latest state to embrace sports betting

Virginia may soon find itself in the sports betting mix as a local legislator revealed on Thursday he was working on a bill that would look to legalize wagering on professional and college sports.

Delegate Marcus Simon told FOX 5 on Thursday that he has commenced work on a piece of sports betting legislation and he will table it in the General Assembly during the next legislative session, which is set to begin in January. According to the lawmaker, sports betting could be legalized in the state by next July.

He told FOX 5 that he expects there will be some interest in the legalization of wagering in the Legislature. He further elaborated that “there certainly is a revenue opportunity in Virginia”.

Casino gambling is currently prohibited in Virginia and local gamblers are traveling to neighboring states to gamble at their casinos. Del. Simon pointed out in his interview with FOX 5 that Virginia is annually losing millions of dollars to the MGM National Harbor casino, located across the river in neighboring Maryland. The gambling resort was launched late in 2016 and is the largest property of this kind in the region.

Del. Simon pointed out that despite the lack of casinos in the state, he believes there are other opportunities for legal sports betting. According to the Falls Church lawmaker, sportsbooks could be combined with the state’s existing horse racing and off-track betting options. Del. Simon also said online sports betting could prove extremely popular with Virginia gamblers, particularly given the fact that there are no casinos in the state.

Possible Roadblocks

As mentioned earlier, Del. Simon plans to introduce his sports betting bill during next year’s legislative session. The legislator pointed out that while he believes his piece could pass all the necessary legislative hurdles by July 2019, it could also face certain roadblocks in the Legislature.

He told FOX 5 he would not be surprised if his fellow lawmakers decide the sports betting matter needs another year of study. At least, the process of legalizing sports betting will start with the introduction of his bill, the lawmaker added.

Del. Simon also revealed that he plans to introduced a separate piece of legislation that will be focused on customer protection. Dwelling on the companion piece, the lawmaker said that he will make sure that people who engage in wagering have “some basic consumer protections” and that they can “feel confident that their money will be protected.”

A landmark ruling of the US Supreme Court issued this past May paved the way for the legalization of sports betting. A handful of states have taken advantage of the opportunity so far, but more are expected to join the mix in the coming months and years.

Of Virginia’s neighboring states, only West Virginia is currently offering legal sports betting. The state’s first two sportsbooks were launched late in August and two more are expected to open doors by the end of the year.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has so far remained neutral on the sports betting issue. A spokesperson for the state’s top official told FOX 5 that the Governor believes any proposal for the legalization of wagering “should be considered with the input of the General Assembly and the communities that will be impacted.”

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