As Sports Betting Grows, Virginia Lawmakers Propose Problem Gambling Committee

Sports betting sites began taking bets in Virginia in January 2021. Residents have been wagering more and more ever since, including $518.8 million in November. Up to five brick-and-mortar casinos were authorized by 2020 legislation. There are concerns about what increased access will mean for addiction rates. Two bills were recently filed in the state legislature to create a committee that would coordinate efforts to help people with gambling problems.

Virginia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services proposes Problem Gambling Committee. It will be bipartisan effort to pass problem-gambling legislation. Sen. Bryce Reeves and Del. Paul Krizek introduced matching bills to create the committee. One member of the panel will have to be a representative of an entity holding a sports-betting license in the state.

The legislation comes as the sports-betting industry has faced heightened scrutiny recently over its responsible-gaming practices. In Ohio, the regulator has proposed fines over alleged advertising violations and in New York, one lawmaker is proposing a crackdown on "predatory" sportsbook bonuses. Virginia took steps last year to tweak the deductions afforded to online sportsbooks that provide free bets and other promotions to customers.