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2019 SESSION

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Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology

Chairman: Frank M. Ruff, Jr.

Clerk: Eric Bingham
Staff: Brooks Braun, Amigo Wade
Date of Meeting: January 18, 2019
Time and Place: Immediately upon Adjournment, Senate Room A, Pocahontas Building
updated to include SB1549

S.B. 1126 Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming, penalties.

Patron: Lucas


Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming; penalties. Authorizes casino gaming in the Commonwealth to be regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board (the Board). The bill specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. Casino gaming shall be limited to any city in which at least 40 percent of the land area is exempt from local real property taxation pursuant to federal law or specified sections of the Constitution of Virginia or any city that had a rate of unemployment at least four percentage points higher than the statewide average, a poverty rate of at least 22 percent, and a population decrease in the locality of at least 20 percent from the previous year, all computed as of November 2017, and located adjacent to a state that has adopted a Border Region Retail Tourism Development District Act. The bill imposes a tax of 10 percent on the adjusted gross receipts of licensees and provides for how the tax proceeds are disbursed. In addition, a referendum must be passed in the city on the question of allowing casino gaming in the city. The bill requires the Board to establish and implement a voluntary exclusion program allowing individuals to voluntarily list themselves as being barred from entering a casino gaming establishment or other facility under the jurisdiction of the Board. The bill also establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to support organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers.

 

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3711, 19.2-389, 37.2-304, 58.1-4002, 58.1-4006, and 59.1-364 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.1, by adding a section numbered 18.2-334.5, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, and by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 41, containing articles numbered 1 through 9, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4131, relating to regulation of casino gaming by Virginia Lottery Board; penalties.

19103689D

S.B. 1187 Gambling; definition of gambling device.

Patron: Lucas

Gambling; definition of gambling device. Provides that any gaming device including skill as a component for successful play while providing a random prize amount to a winning player is deemed a gambling device.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-325 of the Code of Virginia, relating to gambling; definition of gambling device.

19102209D

S.B. 1238 Virginia Sports Betting Department; created, etc.

Patron: Petersen


Sports betting; Virginia Sports Betting Department created; Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund; Sports Betting Operations Fund; penalties. Establishes the Virginia Sports Betting Department (the Department) and authorizes it to regulate sports betting. Before administering a sports betting operation, an entity is required to apply for a three-year license and pay an application fee of $5,000. An entity could apply for a license to operate only (i) at a racetrack or off-track betting facility in a locality that as of 2019 had approved such facilities at referendum or (ii) in a locality that votes to allow sports betting at referendum. Licensed vendors must apply for renewal of a license every three years, which requires a renewal fee of $1,000.

Under the provisions of the bill, betting on college sports and youth sports is prohibited, and betting on professional sports is allowed. The bill does not authorize the Department to allow betting through a website, app, or other platform accessible via the Internet. The bill prohibits betting by Department employees, participants in athletic events on which the bet is placed, and persons under age 18. The penalty for engaging in prohibited betting is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The bill directs the Department to establish a voluntary exclusion program, which would allow individuals to request that the Department exclude them from participating in sports betting.

The bill imposes a 10% tax on a licensed vendor's adjusted gross revenue, defined in the bill. The Department would retain 2.5% of the tax revenue to defray its costs of administering the program.

The bill creates the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The Fund would be used to provide counseling to compulsive gamblers, implement problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to organizations that assist problem gamblers. The Fund would be funded by 2.5% of the revenue generated from sports betting.

Fifty percent of tax revenue would accrue to the locality in which it was generated, and 45% would accrue to the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education Fund, which is used to provide monetary assistance to Virginia residents who are enrolled in a Virginia community college.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3705.3, 2.2-3711, 18.2-334.3, 37.2-304, 59.1-364, and 59.1-569 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.1, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, and by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 41, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4124, relating to sports betting; Virginia Sports Betting Department created; Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund; Sports Betting Operations Fund; penalties.

19100553D

S.B. 1356 Virginia Lottery Board; renamed as Virginia Lottery and Sports Wagering Commission, penalties.

Patron: Wagner


Virginia Lottery Board; rename as Virginia Lottery and Sports Wagering Commission; Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund; penalties. Renames the Virginia Lottery Board as the Virginia Lottery and Sports Wagering Commission (the Lottery) and directs it to operate a sports wagering facility at which the Department accepts wagers on professional sports and college sports, defined in the bill. The bill authorizes the Lottery to operate a digital platform to accept such wagers.

The bill prohibits wagering on Virginia college sports and youth sports, also defined in the bill. The bill prohibits wagering by Lottery employees, participants in athletic events on which the wager is placed, and persons under age 21. The penalty for engaging in prohibited wagering is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The bill directs the Lottery to establish a voluntary exclusion program, which would allow individuals to request that the Lottery exclude them from buying lottery tickets or participating in sports wagering. The bill allows the Lottery to retain 2.5% of gross revenue, defined in the bill, to defray its costs of administering the program.

The bill creates the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, to be used to provide counseling to compulsive gamblers, implement problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to organizations that assist problem gamblers. The Fund would be funded by 2.5% of adjusted gross revenue. The remaining adjusted gross revenue generated from sports wagering accrues to the general fund.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-419, 2.2-2905, 2.2-3114, 2.2-3202, 2.2-3705.3, 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-3711, 2.2-4002, 8.01-195.11, 9.1-101, 9.1-801, 18.2-308.016, 18.2-334.3, 18.2-340.22, 19.2-389, 37.2-304, 58.1-3, 58.1-302, 58.1-460, 58.1-4000, 58.1-4002, 58.1-4003, 58.1-4004, 58.1-4006, 58.1-4007, 58.1-4008, 58.1-4009, 58.1-4010, 58.1-4011, 58.1-4019, 58.1-4020, 58.1-4020.1, 58.1-4021, 58.1-4022, 58.1-4023, 58.1-4027, 59.1-148.3, 59.1-364, and 59.1-569 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.1, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, by adding a section numbered 58.1-4015.1, and by adding in Chapter 40 of Title 58.1 an article numbered 2, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4030 through 58.1-4042; relating to Virginia Lottery Board; rename as Virginia Lottery and Sports Wagering Commission; Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund; penalties.

19103067D

S.B. 1503 Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming; penalties.

Patron: Carrico


Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming; penalties. Authorizes casino gaming in the Commonwealth to be regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board (the Board). The bill specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. Casino gaming shall be limited to (i) any city in which at least 40 percent of the land area is exempt from local real property taxation pursuant to federal law or specified sections of the Constitution of Virginia; (ii) any city that had a rate of unemployment at least four percentage points higher than the statewide average, a poverty rate of at least 20 percent, and a population decrease in the locality of at least 20 percent from the previous year, all computed as of November 2017; or (iii) any city that had a rate of unemployment at least four percentage points higher than the statewide average, a poverty rate of at least 22 percent, and a population decrease in the locality of at least 20 percent from the previous year, all computed as of November 2017, and located adjacent to a state that has adopted a Border Region Retail Tourism Development District Act. The bill imposes a tax of 10 percent on the adjusted gross receipts of licensees and provides for how the tax proceeds are disbursed. In addition, a referendum must be passed in the city on the question of allowing casino gaming in the city. The bill requires the Board to establish and implement a voluntary exclusion program allowing individuals to voluntarily list themselves as being barred from entering a casino gaming establishment or other facility under the jurisdiction of the Board. The bill also establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to support organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers. 

 

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3711, 19.2-389, 37.2-304, 58.1-4002, 58.1-4006, and 59.1-364 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.1, by adding a section numbered 18.2-334.5, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, and by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 41, containing articles numbered 1 through 9, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4131, relating to regulation of casino gaming by Virginia Lottery Board; penalties.

19101663D

S.B. 1527 Virginia Charitable Gaming Board; conduct of charitable gaming.

Patron: Sturtevant

Virginia Charitable Gaming Board; conduct of charitable gaming. Requires the Virginia Charitable Gaming Board to conduct an annual evaluation of the conduct of charitable gaming operations in Virginia. The bill also removes restrictions regarding the number of calendar days that charitable gaming may be conducted at buildings owned by nonprofit entities and raises to four the number of days that such gaming may be conducted in buildings owned by other entities. Currently, gaming is limited to four calendar days per week for buildings owned by nonprofit entities and two calendar days for buildings owned by other entities. The bill also (i) removes the limit of 55 bingo games per session, (ii) increases the number of electronic pull tabs that may be placed in the social quarters of a qualified organization from nine, as currently provided by Board regulations, to 50, and (iii) authorizes a qualified organization to pay members up to $50 per session.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2456, 18.2-340.19, 18.2-340.27, and 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Charitable Gaming Board; conduct of charitable gaming.

19101744D

S.B. 1549 Virginia Consumer Protection Act; exclusion.

Patron: Surovell

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; exclusion. Updates the existing exception in the Virginia Consumer Protection Act for "small loan companies" to refer to "consumer finance companies."

A BILL to amend and reenact § 59.1-199 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act; consumer finance companies.

19100344D

S.B. 1671 Charitable gaming; creates special permit for the play of electronic versions of instant bingo, etc.

Patron: McPike

Charitable gaming; special permit for the play of electronic versions of instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards on certain premises. Creates a special permit that shall be granted to a qualified organization that has already received a general permit for the conduct of charitable gaming from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to allow such organization to place Department-approved electronic versions of instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards on the licensed premises of an entity licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption with the consent of such licensee. The bill also exempts qualified organizations that are granted such a special permit from certain requirements relating to (i) limits on the number of organizations for which a person may manage, operate, or conduct charitable games; (ii) prohibitions on providing compensation or any other remuneration to persons for organizing, managing, or conducting charitable games; or (iii) the use of proceeds derived from the conduct of charitable games, as those requirements relate to the management, operation, or conduct of charitable games pursuant to such special permit.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-340.27:1 and 18.2-340.28 of the Code of Virginia, relating to charitable gaming; special permit for the play of electronic versions of instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards on certain premises.

19103852D

S.B. 1706 Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming, limited operation, penalties.

Patron: Lewis


Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming; limited operation; penalties. Authorizes casino gaming in the Commonwealth to be regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board (the Board). The bill specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. Under the bill, casino gaming shall be conducted only (i) by an Indian tribe acknowledged by the United States Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs as an Indian tribe within the meaning of Federal law that has the authority to conduct gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) and (ii) within a city with a population greater than 200,000. The bill imposes a tax of 10 percent on the adjusted gross receipts of licensees and provides for how the tax proceeds are disbursed. In addition, a referendum must be passed in the city on the question of allowing casino gaming in the city. The bill requires the Board to establish and implement a voluntary exclusion program allowing individuals to voluntarily list themselves as being barred from entering a casino gaming establishment or other facility under the jurisdiction of the Board. The bill also establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to support organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3711, 19.2-389, 37.2-304, 58.1-4002, 58.1-4006, and 59.1-364 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.1, by adding a section numbered 18.2-334.5, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, and by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 41, containing articles numbered 1 through 9, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4130, relating to regulation of casino gaming by Virginia Lottery Board; penalties.

19104651D