Virginia Gaming Lobby Signals New Push for Skill Games and Casino Expansion in 2025
Virginia's early lobbying activities indicate gambling legislation will be a key focus in the upcoming legislative session, with particular emphasis on skill games and casino expansion.
Several gaming entities have already invested significantly in lobbying efforts for the 2025 session:
- Caesars Entertainment: $418,155
- Churchill Downs: $268,593
- No NOVA Casino committee: $370,209
- MGM Resorts: $222,267
- Sports Betting Alliance: $160,926
- Pace-O-Matic: $461,048
Slot machines with display panels
Two major gaming issues are expected to dominate the legislative agenda:
- Northern Virginia Casino Proposal
- Senator David Marsden's push for a casino in Fairfax/Tysons faces significant opposition
- Most community groups and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors oppose the initiative
- Local unions support the casino proposal and maintain influence in Richmond
- Skill Games Legislation
- Previous legislation allowed ABC-licensed businesses to operate skill gaming machines
- Governor Youngkin's amendments included:
- Increased tax rate from 25% to 35%
- 35-mile buffer zone around casinos and parimutuel venues
- 2,500-foot exclusion from schools, daycares, and places of worship
- These restrictions effectively limited machines to rural areas, leading to legislative failure
Virginia has rapidly expanded its gambling landscape in recent years, moving from primarily lottery and parimutuel wagering to include brick-and-mortar casinos, online sports betting, and electronic historical horse racing machines.
The 2025 legislative session runs from January 8 through February 22, with both casino expansion and skill games regulation expected to receive significant attention from lawmakers.