- It’s unlikely that Virginia will authorize further casinos in 2026
- Virginia has 5 licensed casinos in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville, and Petersburg
As soon as among the many most restricted gaming states, Virginia has embraced new types of business playing over the previous few years.
Downtown Richmond and the NewMarket Company headquarters are pictured. The percentages of lawmakers in Richmond authorizing further casinos in 2026 aren’t good. (Picture: Shutterstock)
Right now, the commonwealth has 5 casinos, retail and on-line sports activities betting, and slot-like historic horse racing (HHR) machines at off-track betting parlors and The Rose Gaming Resort. The normal casinos are restricted to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville, and Petersburg.
Two different cities, nevertheless, need in. Native officers in Roanoke and Winchester say they need the correct to contemplate a on line casino. And state lawmakers representing Fairfax County say a on line casino in Tysons would generate strong state tax income and assist ease ever-increasing property taxes.
Odds of Extra Casinos Lengthy
The Virginia Common Meeting convenes on Jan. 14 for its 2026 two-month-long session that runs via March 14. Gaming is predicted to be thought-about, with Virginia Senate Majority Chief Scott Surovell (D) prone to file laws to create a sixth on line casino license within the commonwealth and designate it for Fairfax County.
The issue with Surovell’s invoice is {that a} robust majority of Fairfax County voters are seemingly against the thought of a on line casino. Together with civic teams and house owner associations, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has formally opposed efforts to carry slot machines and desk video games to the Tysons space.
Whereas state lawmakers can designate Fairfax for a on line casino, Virginia’s gaming legislation requires {that a} license solely be granted to a number neighborhood the place an area referendum expresses majority help. Public polling has proven robust opposition to a on line casino among the many prosperous residents. It’s why the chances of Fairfax seeing a on line casino break floor anytime quickly are presumably lengthy.
The percentages of Roanoke and Winchester gaining on line casino rights are additionally lengthy. So far, no state lawmaker has expressed a willingness to champion laws so as to add these cities to the present 5 the place casinos are allowed.
Roanoke is working with a lobbying group on discovering a sponsor, however even when one is discovered, the trail via the Common Meeting would presumably be tedious, as lawmakers on each side of the aisle have stated the 5 casinos needs to be given time to stand up and working in earnest earlier than extra licenses are thought-about.
NOVA On line casino
Virginia taxes on line casino income on a graduated scale, from 18% on income as much as $200 million, 23% on income as much as $400 million, and 30% on income upwards of $400 million. The on line casino taxes are used to help and stimulate native economies and governments, in addition to public training.
At the moment, it’s estimated that many thousands and thousands of misplaced tax income goes into Maryland, as residents in Northern Virginia enterprise throughout the Potomac River to MGM Nationwide Harbor in Oxon Hill. MGM Nationwide Harbor is the richest on line casino within the nation outdoors of Las Vegas.
With out having a on line casino in Northern Virginia, supporters of bringing one to Fairfax say Maryland’s training program is being sponsored by Virginians.
