Virginia’s senators initially failed to advance the latest online casino bill, but at the end of the day, a second vote was taken, and the bill was passed despite three voters abstaining.
Reversal of Fortune
It appeared as though Virginia’s most recent online casino measure would be stuck in neutral before it even got started, as the first vote saw a 20-19 majority against the bill. However, procedural Senate rules allow a senator on the majority side of a vote to move to reconsider and call a second vote, which is precisely what occurred.
Senator Schuyler VanValkenberg moved to recall the debate, which ultimately triggered a second vote.
This time, VanValkenberg and two other senators, Bill DeSteph and Stella Pekarsky, abstained from voting, and the majority triumphed in a 19-17 decision, allowing Senator Mamie Locke’s iGaming bill, SB 118, to move forward.
The reconsideration rule is an element of Virginia’s legislative protocols so that members can reflect on complex topics after further consideration. Senator VanValkenberg stated that he decided to abstain, instead of voting no, due to amendments that made the iGaming bill more palatable, like regulatory oversight and responsible gaming resources.
Senator Mamie Locke’s SB 118 includes the following:
- Number of licenses: Up to 15 online casino licenses
- Tax rate: 15% tax on iGaming revenue
- Platform fee: $2 million
- Initial licensing fee: $500,000
- Regulator: Virginia Lottery Board
Skeptics Scowl
However, opponents were more skeptical, opining that the three senators who switched their no votes to abstentions fell victim to party leaders or industry lobbyists. A similar narrative by the opposition implied that failing to vote yes allowed the three senators political cover in the event the bill ultimately fails.
Opposing senators were quick to vent their frustration at the bill’s passage, with Senator Bill Stanley taking issue with the next generation of digital gaming after Virginia launched mobile sports betting in January 2021.
“And now, we’re being asked to put a slot machine on it,” Stanley said. “Let that sink in for a moment. We have spent the last decade in this country watching what smartphones have done [to] a generation. We watch teenagers unable to put the device down at the dinner table, in the classroom, in bed at 2 o’clock in the morning.”
Changing His Mind
Senator Bryce Reeves, who was chairman of the joint subcommittee studying the feasibility of a Virginia Gaming Commission, had his mind changed, transitioning from a supporter to a detractor of the iGaming legislation.
“I just happen to be engaged to a forensic psychologist who works on addiction and she changed my mind to where I’m a no on this,” Reeves said. “… After consulting with her and her telling me what we’re about to do to our youth, I can’t in good faith vote for this bill.”
Analysts project that a regulated Virginia online casino market could soar to $845 million in annual revenue by 2032, which includes some cannibalization of the iLottery revenue.
