May27
Is Virginia Next in Line for Sports Betting?
November 22, 2018 Jim Murphy
Nowadays, news outlets are going crazy about sports betting legalization in the United States. More and more states are taking the measures necessary to provide this form of gambling to its residents. And it is hard not to wonder…
…who is next?
Until PASPA was overturned earlier in the year by the US Supreme Court, Las Vegas, Nevada has been the hotbed of sports wagering. Most sports gambling has been done online as well and even “under the table”.
After New Jersey, Mississippi, Delaware, Pennsylvania and three other states that made sports gambling legal…
…Virginia could be next!
Virginia State Senator Chap Peterson talked about this and he said that in five years, sports betting would expand all over the country. And Virginia would be no exception.
The closest state geographically to Virginia which provided this benefit to its residents in West Virginia. Meanwhile, Senator Peterson and Delegate Mark Sickles will do everything to put Virginia on the list as they are advocates for this form of gaming pleasure.
Taking Necessary Steps
Sickles represents the 43rd District and he has already come up with a proposal! In case it is approved, sports betting in this state would fall under the lottery…
…with the taxing revenue of 15 percent
In the meantime, Peterson, who represents District 34 is focused on putting gambling proceeds towards helping residents. The taxes collected from sports gambling will be used to enhance the communities.
Senator Peterson said over the phone: “I think we can capture revenue from it in order to improve a discrete specified state agency, in this case, it would be the community college system.”
No Amateur Sports Betting
The important thing to note is that the focus would be on professional sports only. Gambling would not be available in amateur sports.
“There may be some limited exceptions such as March Madness or something like that where you already have a tremendous amount of betting interest,” Peterson continued, “but by and large, we’ll stay away from amateur sports and focus on professional sports.”
Peterson’s bill doesn’t allow betting on college sports either. Even though this might be frowned upon by some, considering the popularity of college sports generally in the United States…
…but people will not have the opportunity to bet on Virginia Tech or University of Virginia.
Peterson added: “I’m probably saving them money in the long run.”
The general assembly will meet in 2019 for the discussion.
Getting a Head Start
Virginia is not the only state that wants to introduce regulations regarding sports betting. The state of Ohio is also working on it and they are expected to provide this type of betting to their residents in the near future.
Although some initial steps are taken, the exact date of when sports gambling will become legal here is questionable. The states which have already taken care of their laws are reaping the benefits and the others want to “get in the club” while people are hyped.
Source:
“Could Virginia legalize sports gambling?”, Kirk Nawrotzky, wric.com, November 21st 2018
Leave a Reply
Related News
Not sure whether Virginia would get this done in the near future. The meeting is next year, but that only the beginning. We would be considered lucky to get it by the end of 2019.