- The Texas-based Sports Betting Alliance has contributed more than $2 million towards Virginia politicians ahead of the 2025 election for gambling.
- Democrats received over $2 million, while Republicans received less than $500,000.
- Many groups are pushing casino proposals, but current Virginia law only allows one casino per eligible host city.
RICHMOND, Va. – Gambling money is pouring into Virginia politics ahead of an important 2025 election. Interest groups from out of state are placing their bets on the Democrats to pass necessary casino legislation.
Legislators are currently debating online gambling sites in Virginia, but a bill to create a new state gambling authority is needed for creating more state gambling options. Gaming regulation in Virginia is currently split between the state lottery, the Virginia Racing Commission, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.
In addition to iGaming discussions, there are multiple proposals in the state to add more casinos. As Virginia law currently stands, casinos can only be operated by licensed casino gaming operators in cities that meet Va. Code § 58.1-4107 requirements, leaving just five options.
Sports Betting Alliance Invests In Virginia Gambling Scene
According to information from VA Public Radio, it’s rather uncommon for an out-of-state entity to invest in Virginia politics.
“Usually when you are looking at all of the various groups and industries that are donating to candidates, most of them are local. Most of them are from Virginia," said Jennifer Victor of George Mason University. ”And so, to have an out-of-state interest that is playing a really outsized role this campaign season suggests there's a lot of money to be made.”
Alex Keena of Virginia Commonwealth University added that the Sports Betting Alliance is strategically predicting their winner, the Democrats.
"They spend to members of both parties, but they don't want to pick the wrong side by investing in opponents of people who are powerful. And so that kind of tells you that they are expecting the Democrats to win."
Casino proposals in the General Assembly will be the key for Virginia gambling expansion. Gambling money is the second-highest contribution behind Dominion Energy for this session.