State lawmakers consider new gaming commission

RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – The last five years have brought a major expansion of gambling in Virginia, but oversight falls to a patchwork of state agencies.

Now, lawmakers are considering creating a state agency to regulate the industry.

Virginia has had the lottery and pari-mutuel betting for over 30 years, but in the last five, the options for Virginians interested in placing wagers have exploded. Regulation of the industry remains fragmented. “I think oftentimes maybe we get complacent, and things grow and we don’t acknowledge the growth. We don’t acknowledge the value that they can bring and sort of we lose control,” said Del. Terry Austin (R-Botetourt Co.). “So now, we’re reeling all of this back in.”

Austin is a member of a joint subcommittee studying the feasibility of establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission. During a meeting Wednesday in Richmond, a consultant recommended maintaining the Virginia Lottery as a separate agency, while creating the Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate other forms of gambling. Austin didn’t weigh in on that approach during our conversation, but said he believes the time has come to consolidate. “VDACS (Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) regulates some of it. State Police now investigate and regulate some of it. Casinos have their regulations, their policies, how those machines report back to the Commonwealth, so we’ve got a good accounting of what’s taking place,” Austin told WDBJ7. Problem gambling is also involved here. Problem gambling has become an issue, the ability to enforce problem gambling and help people who’ve asked for help and put themselves on a problem gambling list. We need to be able to support all of that.”

Austin said he’s particularly interested in how the changes might affect Virginia’s equine industry and non-profits that depend on revenue from charitable gaming.

He said he expects the subcommittee to recommend legislation for the General Assembly to consider in January.

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