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Cabinet member expresses governor's desires for more robust regulation of gaming in Virginia
Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier claimed that Gov. Abigail Spanberger prioritizes regulation over expansion in terms of gaming.
The Virginia Assembly has been advancing gaming expansion bills in the short 2026 session, but support from Gov. Abigail Spanberger may hinge upon whether the legislation includes provisions that establish a gaming regulatory agency for the commonwealth. Spanberger's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Katie Frazier, expressed the governor's concern about expanding gaming without first establishing such a body in a recent legislative hearing.
Frazier comments on gaming expansion legislation
During a Feb. 10 meeting of the Senate General Laws Subcommittee, Frazier spoke to the governor's thoughts about gaming expansion.
"Governor Spanberger is deeply concerned about any discussions of gaming expansion in Virginia without first establishing a single entity with clear authority, consistent standards, and strong compliance and enforcement capabilities," Frazier stated.
Currently, numerous agencies in Virginia have oversight of different forms of gaming. For example, the Virginia Lottery regulates its own activities plus online sports wagering and brick-and-mortar casinos.
Legislators have brought forward plans to regulate "skill games" and legalize real money online casino apps. Spanberger's support is crucial to either initiative, especially in a shortened session.
Votes advancing these bills in committees have done so narrowly, suggesting that there may not be a veto-proof majority in favor of them in the Assembly. There is a measure that could address Spanberger's concerns, though.
Delegates bill aims to establish Virginia Gaming Commission
On Jan. 9, Virginia Del. Paul E. Krizek filed HB271, which could create a new state agency responsible for overseeing all gaming in the commonwealth, both present and future, like the fastest payout online casinos. That proposal has advanced to the full House of Delegates floor but has not yet come up for a vote.
The crossover deadline for bills in Virginia in 2026 was February 17, leaving little time for the Delegates to approve the bill in order for the Virginia Senate to take it up. Should that not happen, it is possible that the language of the proposal could be added as an amendment to existing legislation later.
Such an inclusion could get Spanberger's support for gaming expansion plans. A bill providing a framework for a new body to regulate roulette odds and other matters would fit within the scope of Frazier's comments.
That could prove to be the linchpin for Spanberger's support of iGaming in Virginia. Although the legislation toward that end still faces several votes in the Assembly, her support is essential to Virginians enjoying a DraftKings Casino promo code in the future the same way that players in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia can.Â
With Frazier's comments, the necessary framework of gaming legislation to obtain Spanberger's support is clearer. It could be a step toward iGaming legalization taking shape in Virginia.
