[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6367408,"mediaKeyId","2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9","parentId",2158802,"title","Subcommittee backs creation of independent Virginia Gaming Commission, with industry and racing stakeholders voicing support and concern","audioSeconds",799,"startMs",1041000,"endMs",1840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9&start=1041&end=1840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9/thumbnail_1041000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6367408/Virginia/Subcommittee-backs-creation-of-independent-Virginia-Gaming-Commission-with-industry-and-racing-stakeholders-voicing-support-and-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367408-1a17f660dc924e06b49cc18b7e2a8c44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069877&Signature=adEQLfW0Ohy8Bw0WW3erlZ4pzjteFZSdChNax~ea-~UgeFlPEOEzLXKPApZUjPf6yTeGO-Tu3NUrktTEhiFWsfAweY8ra0Z2JpR2IXZxFAw-21grxo3FRmWzf~GKcZjdhEqPhG8tDui7Y82fsWiHXjiozy1U7S8JabpVvD3UIMixfs5EcGX08DscYVvR2OcCDQWrggQXlRJvJnkpxeFpw4F76Doqvw467qEQGPB2GwVyeyJFhPcNs2pu~a3trvkfy-IBtKUN9u30o-ygHM3V89BzgAicqM6nhHwR3nwGDmHhNXmuVaP6FXMRKgZfFg5SkoD8NgLnpI1TY~MKFIC7yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virginia Legislature","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The subcommittee voted 8-0 to report House Bill 2498, a broad measure to create an independent Virginia Gaming Commission (VGC) to oversee and regulate legalized gaming in the Commonwealth, excluding the Virginia Lottery.

Delegate Kreesick, who served as vice chair of the joint subcommittee that studied the idea, told the panel the VGC is intended to centralize regulation across disparate gaming activities — sports betting, fantasy sports, horse-racing wagering, historical horse-racing machines, iLottery and other emerging forms — and to enable a coordinated statewide problem-gambling strategy. He described a transitional body to be formed within the Virginia Lottery that would consolidate into a standalone commission over one to two years. Kreesick and witnesses said the consolidated body would improve coordination with law enforcement, including the Virginia State Police Office of Gaming Enforcement.

Industry witnesses — including representatives for Bristol Casino, sportsbooks (Sports Betting Alliance), distributed gaming firms and other casino stakeholders — testified in favor of the bill, praising its potential to promote operator integrity and player protections. Veterans’ groups and other organizations also expressed support.

Racing industry representatives, including Jeb Hannam of the Virginia Equine Alliance and Cliff Williamson of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, said they support the concept in principle but warned that the bill’s original language risked severing the regulatory and financial link between historical horse-racing machines and racetrack operations. Hannam said the racing commission’s traditional role overseeing pari-mutuel wagering should be preserved and expressed concern that the bill, as drafted, would leave racing representatives without voting authority on the new commission and could threaten the long-term viability of Virginia’s racing industry.

The committee adopted a substitute before reporting the bill and recorded an 8-0 vote to refer HB 2498 to the Appropriations Committee with the substitute. The transcript records supportive testimony from casino and sportsbook stakeholders alongside cautionary remarks from the racing sector.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ABC-Gaming Subcommittee Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025 3:05 PM - 3:40 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The subcommittee voted 8-0 to report House Bill 2498, which would create an independent Virginia Gaming Commission to centralize oversight of most forms of legalized gaming in the Commonwealth (the Virginia Lottery would remain separate).","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},6367413,"Panel advances bill to raise minimum age for fantasy sports and poker tournaments to 21",205,831000,1036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9&start=831&end=1036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9/thumbnail_831000.jpg","/articles/6367413/Virginia/Panel-advances-bill-to-raise-minimum-age-for-fantasy-sports-and-poker-tournaments-to-21","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367413-afb814d4b02607ba18eb2cbf24e958ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069877&Signature=Of5W9clvaQ7ElqxmsVmsB60wJMorgSSNZm3QWsfLdMKVFDCq7ez2NlAnJ4ho4S1xxCTzbHR3Xb67lvu1b7X3qplmtj8Z528~VrvEhdOYO55wHaKlzRMk0MqeVhm2sVLjfnYUmCbzPAhvDWVJMPwHDRj1U3kavyB8h~KjBSfrpKpH0me5wUOFFnupyWwGBGeIQgKQFbv8xheeeZg4VhyBA86hVLW-Abv8Zz2FhZY0oC0DFxNipbLOOESNcic8o-IdPgULRD1zUtjN-7oiDFWSgUt0aHhzxOuifIHOoOs9NR08HC~0r72GlrpcVHv5MT~DT-hdm35qcMdNfHZ3csCK9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee voted to report House Bill 2493, a measure that would increase the minimum age for online fantasy sports contests and qualified Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments from 18 to 21.

The sponsor told the committee the change would align fantasy sports and poker tournament age requirements with other forms of gambling in Virginia, such as casino gaming and sports betting, which already set the minimum age at 21. Witnesses from the Sports Betting Alliance and other stakeholders signaled general support for raising the age but asked the legislature to examine certain operator practices in daily fantasy operations, including prop-style bets that may function like house-backed wagers.

The subcommittee took a voice/roll vote after questions and public testimony and recorded the bill as reported by an 8-0 tally.","The subcommittee reported House Bill 2493 to raise the minimum age for participating in online fantasy sports contests and qualified Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments from 18 to 21; the measure passed the subcommittee 8-0.",{"_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},6367420,"Subcommittee clears bill to change horse-racing ‘breakage’ to penny rate and direct proceeds to track improvements",181,647000,828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9&start=647&end=828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9/thumbnail_647000.jpg","/articles/6367420/Virginia/Subcommittee-clears-bill-to-change-horse-racing-breakage-to-penny-rate-and-direct-proceeds-to-track-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367420-952eb0d0c9b5bb84e3f8e8c7d2ab9576/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069877&Signature=euhgkWxj8wMG-IQjnzK8U~FFjKEw1UTusUxcpXuZgQVogcluMqxlU~BOJPFfy2LG-c~86edWvA7t0yKbH2FhNzM6x0ZAA-lHFCy5N4EcjptuVUbgMYWbwiFPWZ2atbsKhIQXojTnXbEmynVr1WpUBl39Hc-nc5AOQyrhFkELhWzLnhtmKKnxBBNGBmlqmwKRWwnK~tqt3~z0CZGrhh28fTP6T5q6rEcMXGSYXjaD6VXAbyUM9MVMBLKzkx~nDOriltcIGW1HhTv0HfKEN2NT2vL8GSvRSGigV5zOlkkyvFvhtKmGw1zGAw90aXcHDsSZWyYSOd28RkmQSaa-Ikwssg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee reported House Bill 2166, a bill that lowers the statutory definition of “breakage” for live and simulcast pari-mutuel wagering from 10 cents on the dollar to 1 cent on the dollar, by an 8-0 vote.

Delegate Kreesick, sponsor of the bill, said the change — referred to in the discussion as “penny breakage” — would increase the amount returned to winning bettors compared with the current 10-cent breakage and redirect the small residual to industry funds. Under the substitute described in committee, breakage produced by live and simulcast wagering would be distributed 70 percent for capital improvements and 30 percent to the racing benevolence fund, administered jointly by racing stakeholders and dispersed with commission approval for gambling addiction and substance-abuse counseling, recreational education or related programs. Historical horse racing machines would remain subject to a 10-cent breakage; HHR breakage would be divided 70 percent to the problem gambling treatment and support fund and 30 percent to the racing benevolence fund.

No opposing testimony was recorded before the committee acted. The subcommittee voted to report the bill by voice/roll and recorded an 8-0 tally.

The bill’s changes affect how pari-mutuel winnings are rounded and how the residual “breakage” revenue is used; the committee recorded the measure without further amendment and sent it forward per committee procedure.","House Bill 2166, as substituted, lowers the breakage rate on live and simulcast wagering from 10 cents to 1 cent per dollar, allocates breakage revenue (70% capital improvements, 30% racing benevolence), and keeps historical horse racing (HHR) breakage at 10 cents; the measure reported out by the committee 8-0.",{"_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},6367424,"Committee strikes two patron-requested gaming bills from the docket",81,563000,644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9&start=563&end=644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9/thumbnail_563000.jpg","/articles/6367424/Virginia/Committee-strikes-two-patron-requested-gaming-bills-from-the-docket","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367424-e381ebfb9a85566b5288d4130c1701c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069877&Signature=jYiv~FgkO~L~TJixJmyNF~V8N1Vwuo8kUXPI2d91NWywwORxULN~pOulyYFi3z5WmmWqXefb6NmEq1O88CN09KtqeXYXQHSxEKM9FzdFu36ZAcH1soTd826iZPWMk9xycOafm8ipzUUKaY-A0ItLA8b3ckNkV18EgP8gFj2epPaNHdaSgu2qar~gYS55k5cNcwyWGNCvyX2u8lIc3DMjzxEQo9XzFTRdT3tDcrbFfai3apcfdPP7yf1U~sTdB6q28e6jHXg4haTbAMX6S36wn8r1VuvqLZdAV63aWRtpXkDuhFkAA-SedHAI6hkBRrcSzUiY9bl78l~sQ2UZ~Vc73g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee administratively removed two bills from consideration after patrons requested they be stricken. House Bill 2634, patron Delegate Wilt, and House Bill 2651, patron Delegate Jones, were opened for roll call and stricken from the docket by an 8-0 vote during the subcommittee meeting.

The clerk opened and then closed the roll for the two bills; the committee recorded an 8-0 tally to strike both measures. No public testimony or debate on the merits of either bill was recorded in the transcript before the clerk closed the roll.","The subcommittee administratively stricken House Bill 2634 (Delegate Wilt) and House Bill 2651 (Delegate Jones) from the docket by an 8-0 roll call.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6367404,"Subcommittee tables bill to license and tax electronic gaming terminals pending further study",194,1856000,2050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9&start=1856&end=2050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158802-a189eabf50bed43d8c8b556e4f845df9/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6367404/Virginia/Subcommittee-tables-bill-to-license-and-tax-electronic-gaming-terminals-pending-further-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367404-223e32ee32f5b79102ae8a897af23cc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069877&Signature=DQAT7DZCC0Vu7J8CKff01l7upJKFYwZBkaBRaoqwb2S9K5SASnAqR6DdOBsdDugTUqDzPb0f63p9lh05SXETP2qYUdDZMzZAh3y6VoxUK2lSwdyUo9RCPQKAz7PmW1oZ2eOVKEjMb4dw2auRByPbispBxGQqDSr7JCr5xB6iMQab3J2A24X4d0j48VwqfGZG8gQv74s8Gy1wvFhJRasD~8-0uckJ6rBybBNdbhRy852DVTvCyQDlQV19Eqvp5TvCYDHOlm5IGuD0APL~dRs-4G0uCSvf-Hl5Yy~n~ekr5plB0TtT6ZY0i-gWzq8Xt-J05bPnV9maHrrn9QvcsnRfkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2747, which would create a regulatory framework for electronic gaming terminals (EGTs) in Virginia, was gently laid on the table by the subcommittee after sponsor testimony and brief discussion. The motion to lay the bill on the table passed 8-0.

Delegate Beggins presented key provisions: the future Virginia Gaming Commission would license all EGT-related entities and use a centralized system for compliance and revenue monitoring; EGTs would use a random-number generator and have defined payout rates; the number of terminals per location would be limited; devices must connect to a centralized monitoring system for real-time oversight. The sponsor said licensing fees and a 20 percent tax on gaming revenues would fund enforcement and localities would receive a share of revenues; municipalities could prohibit EGTs and protocols would be required to prevent underage play.

Chair and members thanked the sponsor for a succinct presentation and said the bill would be further discussed by the special subcommittee formed to study the feasibility of creating the Virginia Gaming Commission. The committee recorded the action as \"gently laid on the table\" by an 8-0 roll call to allow continued working-group consideration over the summer.","House Bill 2747, proposing a licensing and oversight framework for electronic gaming terminals (EGTs) including a 20% tax and local revenue shares, was gently laid on the table by the subcommittee 8-0 for further study by the established subcommittee on the Virginia Gaming Commission.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee backs creation of independent Virginia Gaming Commission, with industry and racing stakeholders voicing support and concern

Panel advances bill to raise minimum age for fantasy sports and poker tournaments to 21

Subcommittee clears bill to change horse-racing ‘breakage’ to penny rate and direct proceeds to track improvements

Committee strikes two patron-requested gaming bills from the docket

Subcommittee tables bill to license and tax electronic gaming terminals pending further study