The 2019 General Assembly directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), the research wing of the State legislature, to conduct a review of casino gaming laws in other states, evaluate Virginia's current and potential gaming gaming governance structures, project potential revenues from expanding legal forms of gaming, and evaluate the impact of expanding gaming on the Virginia Lottery, historical and live horse racing revenue, and charitable gaming revenue.
SB 1126 was passed by the 2019 General Assembly to authorize the development of casinos in five localities—Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond—and its enactment was made contingent on the JLARC review and approval by the 2020 General Assembly. Since SB1126, casino operator licenses have been granted for casino developments in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Petersburg.
In 2022, JLARC directed staff to conduct a review of Virginia's approach to regulating the Commonwealth's various legal forms of gaming. The study resolution required staff to assess the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating the administration and oversight of Virginia's gaming activities into a single agency.
Currently, the Virginia Lottery serves as the lead regulatory agency for Virginia-based casinos. Casinos must report administrative and financial information directly to the Virginia Lottery. The Virginia Lottery maintains web-page of publicly available data reported by Virginia casinos.
2019 JLARC Report 2022 JLARC Report VA Lottery Casino Info
Last updated 12/16/25