Virginia amends sports betting bill

Delegate Mark Sickles, who originally drafted the sports betting bill, wanted to clarify certain inconsistencies.

US.- A subcommittee in the state of Virginia has approved an amendment to its sports betting bill, paving the way for five more online-only licences plus wagering on Olympic events.

The Virginia House Subcommittee on Gaming has approved an amendment to House Bill 1847. The change means any licences awarded to major sports franchises or casino operators would not count against the maximum of 12 online-only operators.

The amendment could lead to an extra five online-only operators being able to apply for licences in the state.

Delegate Mark Sickles, who drafted the bill, said: “Those potentially five casinos were not to count against the upper limit of 12 licenses, but the lottery did not read it that way. That is not what we intended.”

Sickles also wanted to clarify in the bill that betting on Olympic events is permitted. The state lottery previously denied operator requests to include betting in the Olympics in the regulations.

According to the executive director of The Virginia Lottery, Kevin Hall, the entity is in favor of Sickles’ proposed changes.

Virginia legalised sports betting in early July. It is one of the many states to be changing its legislation to accommodate sports wagering.

Sports betting in the state is expected to bring in up to $412m in annual revenue once it reaches maturity.