Virginia to consider online-only sports betting and lottery bill
Delegates will consider bill in 2019 legislative session
Virginia lawmakers will discuss an online-only sports betting bill in the 2019 legislative session in the Virginia House of Delegates.
House Bill 1638, proposed by Delegate Mark Sickles, repeals existing prohibitions on online lottery ticket sales and sports betting, placing regulatory authority in the hands of the Virginia Lottery Board.
Initially there would be five licenses issued under the bill, with permits starting at $250,000. Operators would be taxed on 15% of gross gaming revenue, with the Virginia lottery board retaining 2.5% as an administration fee.
Also included in the bill are provisions to move the Virginia state lottery online, allowing online ticket sales for the first time.
The 2019 session of the Virginia House of Delegates begins on January 9, with state elections held on November 5 2019.
Virginia has a population of approximately 8.5 million.
HB 1683 says 95% of the income for betting would back research projects at state universities.