Gambling addiction is serious and on the rise in the Commonwealth. This rise is largely driven by highly accessible, unregulated avenues for gambling like personal cell phones and "skill" games typically found at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Casinos are subject to regulatory pressures not faced by other unregulated forms of gambling.
Casinos in Virginia are some of the most regulated in the United States. As heavily regulated entities, casinos are required to contribute towards efforts to alleviate gambling addiction in Virginia. Casino employees are trained to identify and report individuals experiencing problem gambling through mandatory training in their accreditation process.
By State code, a portion of State collected tax revenue from casino operators is earmarked to finance the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund (§ 37.2-314.2). This fund helps pay for resources like the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Departmental Services (DBHDS) problem gambling website and hotline. This hotline enables individuals and families experiencing gambling addiction to self-report and be placed on a list to prevent admission to all regulated casinos in Virginia.
Learn more about the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund and efforts it finances:
§ 37.2-314.2 DBHDS Problem Gambling Site Problem Gambling Fund Data
Last updated 12/14/25