The Virginia Lottery Board has "moved to approve the regulations that will govern sports betting" in the state, with sports betting legislation having gone into effect July 1, and the lottery board having been "designated to regulate the activity," according to Wayne Epps of the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH. The approved regulations "will be effective once posted to the Virginia Register in early October." The lottery "will give sports betting stakeholders a mechanism to glean guidance on the betting permit and license application processes." Sports betting permit applications "will be accepted Oct. 15 through midnight Oct. 31." Permit seekers also can "begin to apply for licenses for their principals, vendors, suppliers and employees on Oct. 15." There "will be a 90-day review period for each application, and a consultant has been hired to help with the process." Virginia Lottery Deputy Dir for Gaming Compliance Gina Smith said that the hope is "by January operators will be up and running." Epps notes state legislation "calls for at least four and up to 12 sports betting permit holders" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 9/17).
SOME RESTRICTIONS: In Virginia, Kimberly Pierceall notes gamblers "won’t be able to bet on single games involving teams from Virginia’s colleges and universities, or Olympic events." Sports betting sites are "prohibited from offering wagers on any youth sports, unless it’s a college or professional sporting event." Sports betting operators in the state also will have to "ensure bets are made within the geographic boundary of Virginia and that bettors are at least 21 years old" (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 9/17).
