Latest articles
Hard Rock Virginia—Bristol Resort ‘Not Delayed’ But Won’t Open in July, Aiming For Later in 2024
Hard Rock’s permanent casino resort in Bristol, Virginia, won’t open next month, the company revealed last week. It hasn’t committed to a new opening date but has obtained a six-month extension from the Virginia Lottery Board, which regulates the state’s new retail casinos. That implies an opening in January 2025 at the latest, but more likely in […]
Virginia Governor Vetoes Skill Games Bill — Override Unlikely
A May 17 gubernatorial veto of Virginia’s skill games bill means the machines remain illegal. The veto will likely stay in place because lawmakers in the House don’t appear to have the required two-thirds majority to overturn it. So, Gov. Glenn Youngkin‘s decision means the law surrounding the unregulated machines will remain in place. That […]
Controversial Selection of Cordish for Petersburg Casino is Bad News for Virginia’s iGaming Potential
Petersburg’s pick of Cordish Companies to build Virginia’s fifth retail casino has raised concerns among lawmakers and stakeholders. After the city selected the $1.4 billion project over four others, questions arose regarding the integrity of the selection process and the speed with which the decision was made. Cordish gaining market access to Virginia may also […]
Fate of Virginia Skill Games to Depend on Budget Negotiations as Senate, Governor at an Impasse
Virginia senators rejected the amendments Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed to their bill to regulate skill games, sending it back to him unchanged. That makes an outright veto likely, though there remains an opportunity to compromise and write partial amendments into the state’s budget in order to avoid that fate. Democrat lawmakers have clashed with Gov. Youngkin over […]
Gov. Youngkin Amends Virginia Skill Game Bill, Angers Lawmakers and Small Business
After a last-minute veto, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed significant changes to skill games legislation, angering the machines’ proponents. The changes would categorize skill game machines closer to casino-style games, impose restrictions on their numbers and locations, and call for a higher tax rate. While many expected Youngkin’s veto, few anticipated a 75-page bill. While opponents […]
Virginia Gov. Youngkin Blocks Skill Games Bill at Last Moment, Returns to Legislature With Amendments
The fate of skill games in Virginia remains undecided, as Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill at the last possible moment, returning it to the legislature with recommendations for amendment late last night. The nature of the amendments isn’t yet known, though they will be published on the legislature’s website shortly. One possibility is that Gov. Youngkin may […]
Gov. Youngkin’s Inaction Leaves Virginia Skill Games Bill in Limbo as Veto Deadline Looms
A bill that would legalize slots-like skill games across Virginia remains in limbo, awaiting action by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin after earning bipartisan support from the state’s General Assembly. The governor has until Monday, April 8, to take action on any remaining legislation passed during the recent legislative session—including the state budget. If Gov. Youngkin […]
Virginia’s General Assembly Passes Skill Games Bill, Sends to Governor
Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that legalizes and regulates skill game machines, creating potential competition for the state’s new retail casinos. Next, the bill will head to the governor’s office and, if signed, will legalize the machines four years after Virginia lawmakers voted to ban them. While voted on in 2020, due to COVID-19, […]
Virginia Legislators Consider Two Potential Paths to Skill Gaming Regulation
The 2024 legislative session in Virginia has seen not one but two bills introduced with the aim of legalizing and regulating skill game machines, each with the potential to shape the state’s gambling future. The machines in question resemble slots but include a nominal element of skill to avoid being legally classified as gambling devices. […]
Richmond Casino Vote: Ballot Measure Fails, With 60% of Electors Saying ‘No’ to Virginia’s Fifth Retail Casino
With 72 of 73 precincts reporting in the Richmond casino vote on Nov. 7, 60.19% of electors said “no” to the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino. Only 39.81% had voted in favor of the $562 million project proposed for Virginia’s fifth and final retail casino. That means the casino lost by 20.38% in the unofficial election […]
