Online poker remains unregulated and largely illegal in Virginia, despite the significant growth in gambling opportunities in recent years. Nevertheless, there is hope for enthusiasts as lawmakers in the House of Delegates are considering passing legislation that would make an exception for home games.
At the beginning of the session, Del. Glenn Davis, a Republican from Virginia’s 84th district, proposed a bill that seeks to grant certain online poker games an exemption from laws pertaining to illegal gambling.
HB 77 permits the hosting of internet poker games within private residences, with the condition that the primary purpose of the residence is not solely for conducting these games. Additionally, it is mandated that no individuals are allowed to gain any profits from these games.
In addition, the proposal would permit other “games of chance” to occur within a private residence, provided that no one is making a profit from them.
The bill was referred by lawmakers to the General Law Committee and specifically assigned to Subcommittee #3. Interestingly, this is the same subcommittee that previously opposed a legislation aiming to remove the ban on in-state college sports betting.
The rise of online poker apps
Currently, only seven states have legalized online poker, with West Virginia and Connecticut still in the process of launching their own platforms. As of now, the operational online poker markets can be found in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Lawmakers in the majority of states currently planning to expand gambling are primarily concentrating their efforts on the areas of sports betting and casino gaming.
From a financial standpoint, operators primarily profit from those games as online and brick-and-mortar poker rooms generate significantly less revenue compared to other games.
However, the fact that operators may have reduced motivation to promote the games does not eradicate the existing demand for them.
Consequently, poker enthusiasts have transitioned to unregulated online poker platforms based offshore in order to keep indulging in their favorite game. Nevertheless, a more recent development has seen poker players gravitating towards clubs that engage in real-money poker games via mobile apps.
These games are organized by individuals referred to as “agents.” These agents play a dual role as gatekeepers and bookkeepers, overseeing the distribution and management of the games.
Poker players have the option to bypass offshore depositing by joining these clubs, where they can directly send cash to their agents. Likewise, when they wish to withdraw funds, they must also go through their agent to receive the money.
Assuming the operators of these poker clubs do not derive any financial benefit from it, HB 77 would be passed to legalize such establishments by legislators.
State of poker in VA
Virginia offers limited options for poker players compared to other states in the country.
The current limited options will soon be altered with the impending opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol during the second quarter of this year.
Currently, there are no existing brick-and-mortar poker rooms that are legally operating, and there are also no regulated online alternatives available.
In order for a Virginian to engage in a game of cards, they must venture into a neighboring state. Yet, it is disheartening to discover that even several of these nearby states do not boast a prosperous poker industry.
Neither Tennessee nor Kentucky have legal poker rooms, and Harrah’s Cherokee is the sole poker room in North Carolina. Although Harrah’s boasts a considerable space, it is inconveniently located in the southwest region of North Carolina, requiring a lengthy journey from any part of Old Dominion.
Residents living in the western part of the state, around Roanoke, or in the north near Washington, D.C., have the advantage of easier access to a wide range of poker options. They can conveniently travel into West Virginia or north into Maryland to find numerous opportunities for playing poker.
For most Virginians, the Greenbrier Casino in West Virginia is probably the nearest option, conveniently situated only 90 minutes northwest of Roanoke. On the other hand, MGM National Harbor is just a short distance from Alexandria, located on the opposite bank of the Potomac River.
Given the proximity of Northern Virginia to upscale gaming opportunities in Maryland, it is unsurprising that all four proposed casinos in Virginia will be located nearer to the state’s southern border.
Timeline for VA casinos
| City | Casino | Projected Opening Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Hard Rock Casino and Resort Bristol | Mid-2022 (temporary casino), 2025 (full casino) |
| Danville | Caesars Casino Resort Danville | Q4, 2025 |
| Norfolk | HeadWaters Resort & Casino | Q4, 2025 |
| Portsmouth | Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort | Early 2025 |
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