[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379115,"mediaKeyId","2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111","parentId",2136724,"title","Senate panel rejects bill to let 55+ communities run regular cash bingo without a nonprofit sponsor","audioSeconds",1128,"startMs",3196000,"endMs",4324000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111&start=3196&end=4324","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111/thumbnail_3196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379115/Virginia/Senate-panel-rejects-bill-to-let-55-communities-run-regular-cash-bingo-without-a-nonprofit-sponsor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379115-9f082a09af96eefd11d7988e5123ab31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156327&Signature=LdHlrIXEtemkEhn2Z4xCmxb6A1mZFShN79btWuNh6xPYGYi~Q92zBaRpytYeJp6T6cUJzzLCQQlqznh5Z2VVzmm~kkY0z0StzYjO1ZordibuVGz1dv9gHINxH1rrwn9EvZxSNpL2LWX7bO34o3p7GTYCE39RNPt95IUl2A37PvSdI047Bq4uP-dq0V6ypzYTCOrYAU0V1Rwvya~Ti8lEhxbQxnon-9lYcgmctrrHUJGAJN1ighytDl~bCFOwUFpWF2Wmo-uuszTL-k1bHMEZj1hfnFlO4xef3Y7jOHYzu5Woz3E3W~mPRIYwN4P4rTT7DHL4HWpX6eqcohYOCX7Mlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virginia Legislature","date","2025-01-20T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate subcommittee declined to advance a bill that would have amended Title 18.2 to allow 55-and-older common-interest communities, assisted-living and independent-living facilities to conduct recurring low-stakes cash bingo without a 501(c)(3) sponsor.

Senate Bill 1241, presented by its patron, argued the current permitting and sponsorship system is onerous for small senior communities. Supporters — including residents and HOA leaders from Del Webb and Celebrate communities and a number of speakers who described social and mental-health benefits of regular bingo — said the change would restore a longstanding social activity that many residents value.

Pam Posbysel and John Flood described attempts to secure long-term nonprofit sponsorship and said the registration/permitting process is time-consuming and expensive for small communities. Witnesses urged a targeted change limited to bingo and not broader charitable gaming activities.

Opponents testified that the bill would create an uneven playing field for established charitable organizations such as veterans posts and fraternal orders that currently operate under strict regulations, and could allow for-profit homeowner associations to operate under charitable gaming rules. Speakers included representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Virginia Moose Association, and other charitable-gaming entities who said the bill could weaken safeguards that protect charitable use of gaming proceeds and undercut longstanding nonprofit operators.

Officials from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the agency that administers charitable gaming told the committee that the substitute language limits the new authorization to bingo and does not expand authorization for pull tabs or electronic games under the registration language. The agency also noted the bill would increase the number of organizations subject to oversight.

After testimony and questioning, the subcommittee voted 3–4 against reporting the substitute; the clerk recorded 3 yeas and 4 nays and the bill failed to advance from the subcommittee.

Nut Graf: The bill sought a narrow statutory change to let age-restricted communities run recurring low-stakes cash bingo without the burden of finding nonprofit sponsorship. Supporters emphasized social and mental-health benefits for older residents; opponents defended the existing charitable-gaming framework and warned against unintended openings for for-profit entities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 20, 2025 - General Laws and Technology: Gaming - SR B (306) - 4:00 pm","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate subcommittee rejected a bill that would let 55+ common‑interest communities and assisted‑living facilities run recurring low‑stakes cash bingo without a nonprofit sponsor.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature VA, Virginia","taxId",77687,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379110,"Subcommittee hearing on legalizing, regulating skill/electronic gaming ends without a vote",1512,4691000,6203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111&start=4691&end=6203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111/thumbnail_4691000.jpg","/articles/6379110/Virginia/Subcommittee-hearing-on-legalizing-regulating-skillelectronic-gaming-ends-without-a-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379110-6e99a442e3a50b6b729a446b48f86dce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156327&Signature=P9iKQWmwNJkqvIOVKR0fZMoq13C2Y~nDxNfqUj2MYwmpeInc-4kj2cy~tlBfA0B1Kvt6zSzkGX3xyIG0ReQqd-uddrgcyt2YIsiZvnB8FO-p1t1YzyNcgBBzthpMbGmeUsTMahPUE~1X5OcJQ131p0~VfoAZaicq5dD4xW~0T-0hcnk-g7iqQ3PBbPv-4HgCjIwh3si17QkQR26CBnpUTBLuDQPajTyrPQm65O7ILFBVsliTF3AkQ4qOju2oZ-JAMDDdkmQGtN2BVoao~8dr6~euS16~y-5ZlGUG3S9pE2sknrJPaGx76cyCxwKgrfjzZJCnw1ob0ch1qP4QMOb9Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1323 — a broad measure to legalize and regulate electronic “skill” gaming devices statewide — drew heavy testimony but did not advance after the subcommittee failed to secure a second motion to report the bill.

Sponsor remarks described a comprehensive regulatory regime: registration and background checks for distributors and operators, a $1,200 monthly tax per device, a 30,000‑machine cap, and a framework for enforcement and voluntary exclusion for problem gamblers. Supporters, led by the Virginia Amusement Coalition, convenience-store coalitions and small-business owners, said legalization and strict rules would bring order to a market of unregulated machines, create an administrable tax stream for the Commonwealth and protect small businesses that have relied on machines to generate supplemental revenue.

Opponents — including veterans’ organizations, fraternal groups, racing interests, police associations and casino operators — urged the committee to reject the measure. Veterans groups and charitable gaming operators said the bill would undercut nonprofits that now fund community services through regulated charitable gaming. Law‑enforcement groups warned current “skill‑game” devices blur legal lines and create enforcement confusion; casino operators said a large new network of machines could undercut casinos and racing revenues.

Criminology testimony recommended tightening technical device definitions around elements of chance and skill and warned operators could create machine features that defeat skill claims. The Governor’s office and the Virginia Equine Alliance urged a cautious, coordinated approach that stood up a state gaming regulator before expanded gaming.

At the conclusion of debate the chair called a motion to report; committee members moved and discussed, but — according to the clerk — the motion lacked a second and no formal roll-call occurred, so the measure did not move out of subcommittee during this hearing.

Nut Graf: SB 1323 would have created a statewide regulatory scheme for certain electronic gaming devices with strict registration, a per‑device tax and consumer protections. Small-business supporters and convenience‑store associations pressed for legalization under a uniform regulatory framework; veterans, charities, law enforcement and casino/racing interests objected to the expansion or urged delay until a permanent gaming regulator is established.","A subcommittee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 1323 — a plan to legalize and regulate electronic “skill” gaming — but the measure did not secure a second and was not reported out of committee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379107,"Senate advances substitute creating Virginia Gaming Commission after two‑year study",1650,7211000,8861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111&start=7211&end=8861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111/thumbnail_7211000.jpg","/articles/6379107/Virginia/Senate-advances-substitute-creating-Virginia-Gaming-Commission-after-twoyear-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379107-d4f458cc745551fc85bf46047808415f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156327&Signature=VKxsySSmQfXxRdpCtoasCT9LUJhpm-qxG758pgHD-GDLs29chkPPzwld77WZlvGgPsxuAbSKVHQHYES1dNgvBcoaE50GYvzlDVENdRVAiRsTEGM09liiuBifMZIrzGa0rjeigj8XpuOfrwIX1uTKQLDT0xS~BGqQC1x1Omq5ebiM76zVKb6EqUZVGWOgmKcJPhAf9IBF5-1R4~r~asor4C8K51hKKgYOwDRQ6LzEZjmsZEn3M77Z3TKR7iKhgKPRJ7apa4iWXoPwJazXkQg3AnccmHYlYet0eQ~ZN6WkegwNbX59qqIY-2ZxQ6rQXk72rCDZygYN~Awkx26dFZrajg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate subcommittee voted to report a broad substitute establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission (VGC), a standalone regulatory agency to oversee the Commonwealth’s gaming activities.

The substitute — the product of an 18‑month legislative study and stakeholder consultations — creates an 11‑member board appointed by the governor and the legislative leadership, establishes a commissioner post with defined qualifications, and sets out licensing, background, and conflict‑of‑interest rules. It also includes provisions directing the VGC to partner with law enforcement on illegal gaming and to coordinate with the Virginia Racing Commission on matters specifically affecting horse racing and animal welfare.

Senator Reeves, who presented the substitute, told the subcommittee the new agency is intended to consolidate regulation for an expanding gaming footprint and to produce consistent enforcement and consumer protection. He described multiple changes in the substitute that narrowed or clarified commission powers and added conflict‑of‑interest language, along with staged appointments and enactment clauses to implement the agency.

Racing stakeholders and some commissioners said they supported the concept but warned that racing has distinct regulatory needs (animal welfare, multiple racing stakeholders, promotion of breeding and agribusiness) and that racing regulators’ expertise must be preserved. The Virginia Equine Alliance and former Racing Commission chair asked the subcommittee to keep the Racing Commission’s authority intact and to ensure the VGC does not unintentionally displace the industry’s dedicated regulator.

Representatives of the Governor’s office, some operators and industry groups expressed conditional support, asking only for time to read the long substitute carefully and to work through remaining technical details. The subcommittee approved reporting the substitute as amended; the roll call recorded seven yeas, zero nays and one abstention.

Nut Graf: The substitute would create a single, professional gaming regulator to unify licensing and oversight across casinos, sports betting, historical horse racing and other regulated activities. Racing industry representatives sought guarantees that the VGC would preserve racing‑specific expertise and revenue links to support horse‑industry programs.","After a multi‑year study and bargaining among stakeholders, the subcommittee voted to report a large substitute bill that creates an independent Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate gaming and moves many regulatory functions now scattered across agencies into one body. Racing interests asked for protections to preserve horse‑racing oversight.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379120,"Senate panel clears bill allowing Fairfax County referendum on Tysons casino",861,2173000,3034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111&start=2173&end=3034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136724-29e0674bc5e5cb63acfbe8b37553e111/thumbnail_2173000.jpg","/articles/6379120/Virginia/Senate-panel-clears-bill-allowing-Fairfax-County-referendum-on-Tysons-casino","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379120-4a22f2a256a4ee02486045681bb09c38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156327&Signature=kPtV1eocXijr7Gat8PtkmagTSF4bpeirz2Y87oUq8BiwYzfbgiCA6e9IMfBVXAOJizmmt29ySxgW3nTUwHHbI6c2AorwNc1zX4FNjPJQ6DNs2VEUOY0BEEyRAAx672os8WdrgS-cJ4OsHtvUkNPd5g3VEZ6rckAY0PTBh0reLSlxyQwahrmIZoHDOx8aqdOg1kSK-HIrnNHNfHJAHEWJRkhIlzqUGBUr3dwTQuU-9WfiwVmRLLFLjSIbjYAo99e8pLj8rkSlpecS02LOu0HgvgY0hPiYvzgfhkNiyYa4Ad4m~o4mTwzfmX70DdaJhpwEHVR2ek1qYJNKWmEEP0hGnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate subcommittee members voted to report Senate Bill 982, which would authorize the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to petition the circuit court to hold a referendum on whether to allow a casino-and-entertainment complex at a single, specified site in Tysons Corner.

The measure’s sponsor described a transit-oriented project near a Silver Line Metro station with a convention center, hotel, entertainment district and a 6,000-seat performance venue, saying the development would generate substantial state and local revenue and create thousands of construction and permanent jobs. The patron cited MGM National Harbor as a precedent and referenced JLARC revenue estimates for Virginia casinos.

Supporters before the panel included labor leaders and trade union representatives who said a referendum would allow Fairfax voters to decide and would create union construction and hospitality jobs. Virginia Diamond, president of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, said union jobs would provide living wages, benefits and apprenticeship pathways. Julie (President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce) called the project a way to diversify Fairfax’s commercial tax base amid what she described as a $300 million shortfall in county revenues.

Opponents — including residents’ groups and local associations — urged delay until statewide regulatory structures are in place and pressed for fuller local review. Speakers argued the JLARC study cited by patrons did not specifically analyze Tysons or Fairfax at the level of other localities, and several witnesses said the county’s Board of Supervisors had not requested special legislation for the site. McLean Citizens Association board member Robert Perito raised national security concerns because of federal facilities and personnel in and near McLean.

Committee members asked technical questions about licensing fees and the treatment of problem-gambling funding; counsel and the Virginia Lottery executive director said license-fee levels are set elsewhere in statute and that proceeds and problem-gambling allocations would follow current law. The subcommittee also discussed whether the bill’s language meant the county would be required to petition the circuit court or whether that step remained discretionary; counsel and the Lottery director described the petition step as procedural and historically perfunctory but said clarifying language could be added.

After more than an hour of testimony and questioning, the subcommittee recommended reporting the bill to the full committee. The recorded tally reported by the clerk was 5 yeas, 2 nays and 1 abstention; the transcript records yes votes for Senators Pillon, Reeves, Locke and McPike and an abstention by Senator Evan (the roll call in the record names additional members). The committee recorded no amendments on the floor at the subcommittee level.

Nut Graf: The bill would allow Fairfax County voters to decide whether a major casino-entertainment complex can be offered at one Tysons site. Supporters emphasized jobs and new tax revenue for schools and county services; opponents called for more local study and regulatory safeguards, and called on the state to author a gaming commission before authorizing new casinos.","A Senate subcommittee voted to report Senate Bill 982, which would let the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors place a casino-and-entertainment referendum before voters for a single Tysons Corner site. Supporters stressed union jobs and tax revenue; opponents said community study and local consent were lacking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate panel rejects bill to let 55+ communities run regular cash bingo without a nonprofit sponsor

Subcommittee hearing on legalizing, regulating skill/electronic gaming ends without a vote

Senate advances substitute creating Virginia Gaming Commission after two‑year study

Senate panel clears bill allowing Fairfax County referendum on Tysons casino