gambling Archives - The Virginia Star

Youngkin Reportedly Considers Veto for Skill Game Bill amid Potomac Yards Arena Feud

March 20, 2024March 19, 2024 Tom Pappert

A Monday report suggests Governor Glenn Youngkin could veto legislation legalizing skill games throughout the commonwealth as a casualty of his fight to build the Potomac Yards arena and bring the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards to Virginia.

Noting the governor’s comments last week declaring Democrats’ vision for Virginia is “let’s tax everybody as high as we possibly can, let’s put a pot shop on every corner, and let’s put a slot machine in every 7/11,” the Washington Post reported the controversial skill games bill could be vetoed due to its association with State Senator L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth).

Youngkin to Receive Bill Legalizing Controversial ‘Skill Games’ in Virginia amid Call for Veto

March 4, 2024 Tom Pappert

The Virginia General Assembly approved a unified bill that would legalize controversial skill games throughout the commonwealth on Friday. Critics, who argue the devices would institutionalize gambling throughout Virginia, have called for Governor Glenn Youngkin to veto the bill.

After the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate passed wildly differing versions of legislation to legalize skill games, the General Assembly agreed on combined legislation that limits bars and other places that sell liquor to four machines and truck stops to 10 machines. Lawmakers also seek to impose a 25 percent tax rate on proceeds generated by the machines.

Youngkin Administration Cites ‘Serious Concerns’ over Skill Games Bills amid Calls to Veto

February 29, 2024February 28, 2024 Tom Pappert

A spokesman for Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed “serious concerns” about both bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly to allow skill games in convenience stores and bars throughout the commonwealth, citing a series of potential issues with the legislation in a statement provided to The Virginia Star.

The administration’s concern about skill games comes amid calls to veto the legislation, and as The Star publisher John Fredericks warns that inaction by the governor could be a “presidential killer” should Youngkin run for the White House in 2028.

Virginia Police Benevolent Association Urges State Lawmakers to Oppose Legalization of Skill Games

February 28, 2024February 27, 2024 Kaitlin Housler

Rich Goszka, a staff representative with the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, sent a letter to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and members of the Virginia General Assembly urging the opposition of any attempts that aim to legalize skill games.

Virginia Betting Hits $265 Million in First Full Month, One of Fastest Growing in Nation

April 6, 2021April 5, 2021 The Center Square

In Virginia’s first full month of legal gambling, the commonwealth’s sportsbooks took in about $265.8 million in wagers, which is the second largest sum for any state in its first full month.

Legalized gambling began in mid-January, taking in $58.9 million that month. In the 28 days of February, the state more than quadrupled that number. The per-day amount of money spent on wagers nearly doubled from $5.4 million in January to $9.5 million in February. The per-day jump is the largest any state has seen in one month.

“The enthusiasm from bettors will eventually settle down, and sportsbooks will pull back a bit from this heavy promotional period,” Jessica Welman, an analyst for PlayVirignia, said in a statement. PlayVirginia is an organization that provides analysis on the gaming industry in the commonwealth.

Virginia’s Battle over Bingo Intensifies

February 5, 2021February 4, 2021 Peter D'Abrosca

A seemingly-innocuous bill in the Virginia Senate is causing quite a stir among the Commonwealth’s bingo community.

According to the summary of SB 1127, introduced by State Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-17th District), the bill “Removes the requirement that an organization qualified to conduct bingo games may only play instant bingo, network bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards as part of such bingo games and at such times designated in a permit, if any, for regular bingo games.”

Commentary: John Fredericks NFL Playoff Picks – Championship Weekend

January 23, 2021January 22, 2021 Virginia Star Staff

Batting .500 is great if you’re a baseball hitter. Not so much if you are picking football games against the spread. After 10 picks, we are an unimpressive 5-5, and our best bets are 1-1. So we still have our stake available, minus the vig, which is typically 10 percent. So if you bet $100 on each of the ten playoffs games we touted, you would now be down $50. Easy to make up. Now get ready to go 2-0 this weekend.

John Fredericks Commentary: NFL Playoffs Phase II – Get Ready to Make Some Money

January 16, 2021January 15, 2021 Virginia Star Staff

Forget the stimulus checks for $1,400. We can double that this weekend with two lock games I have for you.

Bellagio Error May Be Biggest Sportsbook Loss for Las Vegas

July 6, 2020July 5, 2020 The Associated Press

The nearly quarter-million dollars in winning wagers reportedly placed at MGM Resorts last Sunday might be the largest sportsbook loss in Las Vegas history on bets made after an event has started.

Seven longtime Las Vegas bookmakers can’t recall a larger loss, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. But each oddsmaker has taken hits on past posts and said it’s a fairly common occurrence at books.