The Virginia Lottery Board has approved a set of proposed regulations that will govern Virginia’s new casino industry.  

As reported by the Associated Press, the proposed permanent regulations will go to Governor Ralph Northam to be signed off. 

Once Northam has approved the regulations, there will be a 60-day public comment period, before final approval by the Virginia Lottery Board.  

These regulations build on initial emergency casino regulations that were approved by the board in February.  

The approved legislation allowed developers to build five large casinos across Virginia.

Currently, there are four proposed land-based casinos in Virginia; the casinos were approved by voters in November 2020 and will be located in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth.  

A fifth proposed casino in Richmond is yet to be approved by local voters; it is expected to be on the ballot in November 2021.  

The application period for casino operators opened in April 2021; the lottery board will review each case by analysing criminal history and financial review.  

Originally, Virginia was one of few states in America where casinos were banned.  

Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kevin Hall said: “The Lottery’s Gaming Compliance Department and Office of General Counsel have been diligently working to set up the regulatory and licensing framework, to ensure casino gaming in Virginia is secure and transparent. 

“In this role, we see the Lottery as the public’s watchdog.”