Reginald Blair 
The Virginia Lottery Board has approved casino gaming regulations for the state. The rules will establish a set of requirements for casinos that will be licensed in the state. The lottery board can license a casino in up to five cities that meet certain criteria. The proposed regulations will go to the Governor for his approval. Then there will be a 60-day public comment period before the regulations are finalized. The four cities where land-based casinos are planned are Bristol, Danville, Richmond, and Norfolk.
The Virginia Lottery regulates both land-based and online sports gambling. This includes licensing and auditing operators. The regulatory body also oversees suppliers and manufacturers of gaming equipment. It is responsible for ensuring that all casinos adhere to the laws and regulations governing gambling. While the regulations may seem a bit daunting, they are vital to the state’s economy. And once the regulations are approved, the casino industry in Virginia will flourish.
Licensed operators can start offering sports betting in Virginia on Jan. 21. The state lottery board has approved five permit holders, including Betfair Interactive US LLC, which is associated with the Washington Football Team, Crown Virginia Gaming, DraftKings, and Caesars Virginia. Sports betting began in the state in January, and the first sportsbooks are expected to open in time for the Super Bowl LV on February 7.
The lottery board has given the go-ahead to license Hard Rock Bristol. The Bristol casino will be the first legal casino in Virginia. The seven-member board approved the project unanimously, and the company will start construction on a temporary facility in the former Bristol Mall. In the next few months, lottery gaming compliance personnel will inspect the construction site. The casino will have 30,000 square feet of casino space, 900 slots, 20 tables, and a sportsbook.
The Board must also ensure the security of its establishments. It will conduct background investigations on potential applicants. These investigations will include fingerprinting and criminal history records. A junket representative is an individual who negotiates with the lottery board on behalf of a junket. A licensee or permit holder is an individual who employs or engages junket representatives. These individuals should be screened by the Virginia Lottery Board before they are allowed to operate.
Casino gaming in Virginia will be regulated under state laws. The Virginia Lottery Board will issue the licenses for the casinos, and will not operate under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Norfolk casino will be operated by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, and the Bristol casino will be operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The state’s legislature passed the new casino gaming law in March 2019 and the governor signed it. Voters approved construction of four casinos in November 2020.
In order to obtain a license for a Virginia lottery casino, an eligible host city must first submit the preferred casino gaming operator. This person must submit a certification to the Department within 30 days of receiving the license. The Department may also require additional information. This information must be kept confidential. It is possible that a self-excluded person may not accept a casino license because of health reasons. If so, the Department will not approve the license.
