Virginia to discuss sports betting in 2019

Democrat senator Chap Petersen said he’ll introduce a bill to legalise sports betting next year.

US.- Sports betting is set to take the stage during 2019 in the General Assembly of Virginia as a bill to legalise the segment gets introduced. Democrat senator Chap Petersen advanced he will file a bill to authorise the segment, create a state authority to regulate the activity and direct tax revenue to fund a tuition reduction at the state’s community colleges.

“It recognises the reality that sports gambling is pretty much a reality,” Petersen said about the bill. “We’ve already done daily fantasy and that’s widespread. This is just sort of taking it to the next level where a number of states are already going.”

Despite the industry’s enthusiasm around another state potentially entering the market, the bill is set to face some opposition in the General Assembly. Republicans hold a slight majority both in the House of Delegates and the state Senate and are likely to be the biggest hurdle for the proposal as family-values conservatives, who don’t see the industry as a revenue source, would reject its legalisation.

Even if it ultimately gets approved, the segment would be limited as college sports are not included in Senator Petersen’s proposal.