Bill Text: VA SB675 | 2025 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Casino gaming; eligible host localities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-06 - Continued to 2025 in Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N) [SB675 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2025-SB675-Comm_Sub.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§58.1-4032, 58.1-4100, 58.1-4101, 58.1-4107, 58.1-4107.1, 58.1-4109, 58.1-4110, 58.1-4111, 58.1-4123, and 58.1-4125 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§58.1-4032. Application for a sports betting permit; penalty.
A. An applicant for a sports betting permit shall:
1. Submit an application to the Director, on forms prescribed by the Director, containing the information prescribed in subsection B; and
2. Pay to the Department a nonrefundable fee of $50,000 for each principal at the time of filing to defray the costs associated with the background investigations conducted by the Department. If the reasonable costs of the investigation exceed the application fee, the applicant shall pay the additional amount to the Department. The Board may establish regulations calculating the reasonable costs to the Department in performing its functions under this article and allocating such costs to the applicants for licensure at the time of filing. The fees for each principal and any additional investigation costs paid to the Department shall be deposited into the Gaming Regulatory Fund established pursuant to §58.1-4048.
B. An application for a sports betting permit shall include the following information:
1. The applicant's background in sports betting;
2. The applicant's experience in wagering activities in other jurisdictions, including the applicant's history and reputation of integrity and compliance;
3. The applicant's proposed internal controls, including controls to ensure that no prohibited or voluntarily excluded person will be able to participate in sports betting;
4. The applicant's history of working to prevent compulsive gambling, including training programs for its employees;
5. If applicable, any supporting documentation necessary to establish eligibility for substantial and preferred consideration pursuant to the provisions of this section;
6. The applicant's proposed procedures to detect and report suspicious or illegal betting activity; and
7. Any other information the Director deems necessary.
C. The Department shall conduct a background investigation on the applicant. The background investigation shall include a credit history check, a tax record check, and a criminal history records check.
D. 1. The Director shall not issue any permit pursuant to this article until the Board has established a consumer protection program and published a consumer protection bill of rights pursuant to the provisions of subdivision A 14 of §58.1-4007.
2. The Director shall issue no fewer than four and no more than 12 permits pursuant to this section; however, if an insufficient number of applicants apply for the Director to satisfy the minimum, this provision shall not be interpreted to direct the Director to issue a permit to an unqualified applicant. A permit shall not count toward the minimum or maximum if it (i) is issued pursuant to subdivision 4 or 5 to a major league sports franchise or to the operator of a facility; (ii) is issued pursuant to subdivision 6 to an applicant that operates or intends to operate a casino gaming establishment; or (iii) is revoked, expires, or otherwise becomes not effective.
3. In issuing permits to operate sports betting platforms and sports betting facilities, the Director shall consider the following factors:
a. The contents of the applicant's application as required by subsection B;
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates past experience, financial viability, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and success with sports betting operations in other states;
c. The extent to which the applicant will be able to meet the duties of a permit holder, as specified in §58.1-4034;
d. Whether the applicant has demonstrated to the Department that it has made serious, good-faith efforts to solicit and interview a reasonable number of investors that are minority individuals, as defined in § 2.2-1604;
e. The amount of adjusted gross revenue and associated tax revenue that an applicant is expected to generate;
f. The effect of issuing an additional permit on the amount of gross revenue and associated tax revenue generated by all existing permit holders, considered in the aggregate; and
g. Any other factor the Director considers relevant.
4. In issuing permits to operate sports betting platforms prior to July 1, 2025, the Director shall give substantial and preferred consideration to any applicant that is a major league sports franchise headquartered in the Commonwealth that remitted personal state income tax withholdings based on taxable wages in the Commonwealth in excess of $200 million for the 2019 taxable year. Any permit holder granted a permit pursuant to this subdivision shall receive substantial and preferred consideration of its first, second, and third applications for renewal pursuant to the provisions of §58.1-4033; however, such permit holder shall not receive substantial and preferred consideration of its fourth and subsequent applications for renewal. Any permit granted pursuant to this subdivision shall expire if the permit holder ceases to maintain its headquarters in the Commonwealth.
5. In issuing permits to operate sports betting platforms prior to July 1, 2025, the Director shall give substantial and preferred consideration to any applicant that is a major league sports franchise that plays five or more regular season games per year at a facility in the Commonwealth or that is the operator of a facility in the Commonwealth where a major league sports franchise plays five or more regular season games per year; however, the Director shall give such substantial and preferred consideration only if the applicant (i) is headquartered in the Commonwealth, (ii) has an annualized payroll for taxable wages in the Commonwealth that is in excess of $10 million over the 90-day period prior to the application date, and (iii) the total number of individuals working at the facility in the Commonwealth where the major league sports franchise plays five or more regular season games is in excess of 100.
6. If casino gaming is authorized under the laws of the
Commonwealth, then in issuing permits to operate sports betting platforms and
sports betting facilities, the Director shall give substantial and preferred
consideration to any applicant that (i) has made or intends to make a capital
investment of at least $300 million in a casino gaming establishment, including
the value of the real property upon which such establishment is located and all
furnishings, fixtures, and other improvements; (ii) has had its name submitted
as a preferred casino gaming operator to the Department by an eligible host
city locality; and (iii) has been certified by the Department to
proceed to a local referendum on whether casino gaming will be allowed in the
locality in which the applicant intends to operate a casino gaming
establishment.
7. In issuing permits to operate sports betting platforms prior to July 1, 2025, the Director shall give substantial and preferred consideration to any applicant that demonstrates in its application (i) a description of any equity interest owned by minority individuals or minority-owned businesses, (ii) a detailed plan to achieve increased minority equity investment, (iii) a description of all efforts made to seek equity investment from minority individuals or minority-owned businesses, or (iv) a plan detailing efforts made to solicit participation of minority individuals or minority-owned businesses in the applicant's purchase of goods and services related to the sports betting platform or to provide assistance to a historically disadvantaged community or historically black colleges and universities located within the Commonwealth. As used in this subdivision, "historically black colleges and universities," "minority individual," and "minority-owned business" mean the same as those terms are defined in §2.2-1604.
8. In a manner as may be required by Board regulation, any entity that applies pursuant to subdivision 4, 5, 6, or 7 may demonstrate compliance with the requirements of an application, the duties of a permit holder, and any other provision of this article through the use of a partner, subcontractor, or other affiliate of the applicant.
E. The Director shall make a determination on an initial application for a sports betting permit within 90 days of receipt. The Director's action shall be final unless appealed in accordance with § 58.1-4007.
F. The following shall be grounds for denial of a permit or renewal of a permit:
1. The Director reasonably believes the applicant will be unable to satisfy the duties of a permit holder as described in subsection A of §58.1-4034;
2. The Director reasonably believes that the applicant or its directors lack good character, honesty, or integrity;
3. The Director reasonably believes that the applicant's prior activities, criminal record, reputation, or associations are likely to (i) pose a threat to the public interest, (ii) impede the regulation of sports betting, or (iii) promote unfair or illegal activities in the conduct of sports betting;
4. The applicant or its directors knowingly make a false statement of material fact or deliberately fail to disclose information requested by the Director;
5. The applicant or its directors knowingly fail to comply with the provisions of this article or any requirements of the Director;
6. The applicant or its directors were convicted of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, or any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust within the 10 years prior to the submission date of the permit application;
7. The applicant's license, registration, or permit to conduct a sports betting operation issued by any other jurisdiction has been suspended or revoked;
8. The applicant defaults in payment of any obligation or debt due to the Commonwealth; or
9. The applicant's application is incomplete.
G. The Director shall have the discretion to waive any of the grounds for denial of a permit or renewal of a permit if he determines that denial would limit the number of applicants or permit holders in a manner contrary to the best interests of the Commonwealth.
H. Prior to issuance of a permit, each permit holder shall either (i) be bonded by a surety company entitled to do business in the Commonwealth in such amount and penalty as may be prescribed by the regulations of the Board or (ii) provide other surety, letter of credit, or reserve as may be satisfactory to the Director. Such surety shall be prescribed by Board regulations and shall not exceed a reasonable amount.
I. Any person who knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or misrepresents a material fact or knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation in any application pursuant to this article is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
J. In addition to the fee required pursuant to subdivision A 2, any applicant to which the Department issues a permit shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $250,000 to the Department prior to the issuance of such permit. Such fees shall be deposited by the Department into the Gaming Regulatory Fund established pursuant to §58.1-4048.
§58.1-4100. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Adjusted gross receipts" means the gross receipts from casino gaming less winnings paid to winners.
"Board" means the Virginia Lottery Board established in the Virginia Lottery Law (§58.1-4000 et seq.).
"Casino gaming" or "game" means baccarat, blackjack, twenty-one, poker, craps, dice, slot machines, roulette wheels, Klondike tables, Mah Jongg, electronic table games, hybrid table games, punchboards, faro layouts, numbers tickets, push cards, jar tickets, or pull tabs, or any variation of the aforementioned games, and any other activity that is authorized by the Board as a wagering game or device under this chapter. "Casino gaming" or "game" includes on-premises mobile casino gaming.
"Casino gaming establishment" means the premises, including the entire property, such as a conference center, hotel, or entertainment district or large-scale concert venue, located at the address of the licensed casino, upon which lawful casino gaming is authorized and licensed as provided in this chapter. "Casino gaming establishment" does not include a riverboat or similar vessel.
"Casino gaming operator" means any person issued a license by the Board to operate a casino gaming establishment.
"Cheat" means to alter the selection criteria that determine the result of a game or the amount or frequency of payment in a game for the purpose of obtaining an advantage for one or more participants in a game over other participants in a game.
"Counter check" means an interest-free negotiable instrument for a specified amount executed by a player and held by the casino that serves as evidence of the casino gaming patron's obligation to pay the casino and that can be exchanged by the casino gaming patron for the specified amount in chips, tokens, credits, electronic credits, electronic cash, or electronic cards.
"Department" means the independent agency responsible for the administration of the Virginia Lottery created in the Virginia Lottery Law (§58.1-4000 et seq.).
"Director" means the Director of the Virginia Lottery.
"Eligible host city locality" means
any city locality described in §58.1-4107 in which a casino
gaming establishment is authorized to be located.
"Entity" means a person that is not a natural person.
"Gaming operation" means the conduct of authorized casino gaming within a casino gaming establishment.
"Gross receipts" means the total amount of money exchanged for the purchase of chips, tokens, electronic credits, electronic cash, or electronic cards by casino gaming patrons. "Gross receipts" shall not include the cash value of promotions or credits provided to and exchanged by casino gaming patrons for chips, tokens, electronic credits, electronic cash, or electronic cards. "Gross receipts" shall also not include uncollectable counter checks.
"Immediate family" means (i) a spouse and (ii) any other person residing in the same household as an officer or employee and who is a dependent of the officer or employee or of whom the officer or employee is a dependent.
"Individual" means a natural person.
"Licensee" or "license holder" means any person holding an operator's license under §58.1-4111.
"On-premises mobile casino gaming" means casino gaming offered by a casino gaming operator at a casino gaming establishment using a computer network of both federal and nonfederal interoperable packet-switched data networks through which the casino gaming operator may offer casino gaming to individuals who have established an on-premises mobile casino gaming account with the casino gaming operator and who are physically present on the premises of the casino gaming establishment, as authorized by regulations promulgated by the Board.
"Permit holder" means any person holding a supplier or service permit pursuant to this chapter.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, stock corporation, or nonstock corporation and includes any person that directly or indirectly controls or is under common control with another person.
"Preferred casino gaming operator" means the
proposed casino gaming establishment and operator thereof submitted by an
eligible host city locality to the Board as an applicant for
licensure.
"Prepaid access instrument" means a system device that allows a casino gaming patron access to funds that have been paid in advance and can be retrieved or transferred at some point in the future through such a device. In order to transfer funds for gaming purposes, a prepaid access instrument shall be redeemed for tokens, chips, credits, electronic credits, electronic cash, electronic cards, or used in conjunction with an approved cashless wagering system or interactive gaming account.
"Principal" means any individual who solely or together with his immediate family members (i) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of the pecuniary interest in any entity that is a licensee or (ii) has the power to vote or cause the vote of five percent or more of the voting securities or other ownership interests of such entity, and any person who manages a gaming operation on behalf of a licensee.
"Professional sports" means the same as such term is defined in §58.1-4030.
"Security" has the same meaning as provided in § 13.1-501. If the Board finds that any obligation, stock, or other equity interest creates control of or voice in the management operations of an entity in the manner of a security, then such interest shall be considered a security.
"Sports betting" means the same as such term is defined in §58.1-4030.
"Sports betting facility" means an area, kiosk, or device located inside a casino gaming establishment licensed pursuant to this chapter that is designated for sports betting.
"Supplier" means any person that sells or leases, or contracts to sell or lease, any casino gaming equipment, devices, or supplies, or provides any management services, to a licensee.
"Voluntary exclusion program" means a program established by the Board pursuant to §58.1-4103 that allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from engaging in the activities described in subdivision B 1 of §58.1-4103 by placing their names on a voluntary exclusion list and following the procedures set forth by the Board.
"Youth sports" means the same as such term is defined in §58.1-4030.
§58.1-4101. Regulation and control of casino gaming; limitation.
A. Casino gaming shall be licensed and permitted as herein provided to benefit the people of the Commonwealth. The Board is vested with control of all casino gaming in the Commonwealth, with authority to prescribe regulations and conditions under this chapter. The purposes of this chapter are to assist economic development, promote tourism, and provide for the implementation of casino gaming operations of the highest quality, honesty, and integrity and free of any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest, or unprincipled practices.
B. The conduct of casino gaming shall be limited to the qualified locations established in §58.1-4107. The Board shall be limited to the issuance of a single operator's license for each such qualified location.
C. The conduct of any casino gaming and entrance to such
establishment is a privilege that may be granted or denied by the Board or its
duly authorized representatives in its discretion in order to effectuate the
purposes set forth in this chapter. Any proposed site for a casino gaming
establishment shall be privately owned property subject to the local land use
and property taxation authority of the eligible host city locality
in which the casino gaming establishment is located.
§58.1-4107. Eligible host locality; certification of preferred casino gaming operator.
A. The conduct of casino gaming shall be limited to the
following eligible host cities localities:
1. Any city (i) in which at least 40 percent of the assessed value of all real estate in such city is exempt from local property taxation, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2018, and (ii) that experienced a population decrease of at least seven percent from 1990 to 2016, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau;
2. Any city that had (i) an annual unemployment rate of at least five percent in 2018, according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; (ii) an annual poverty rate of at least 20 percent in 2017, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau; and (iii) a population decrease of at least 20 percent from 1990 to 2016, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau;
3. Any city that (i) had an annual unemployment rate of at least 3.6 percent in 2018, according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; (ii) had an annual poverty rate of at least 20 percent in 2017, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau; (iii) experienced a population decrease of at least four percent from 1990 to 2016, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau; and (iv) is located adjacent to a state that has adopted a Border Region Retail Tourism Development District Act;
4. Any city (i) with a population greater than 200,000
according to the 2018 population estimates from the Weldon Cooper Center for
Public Service of the University of Virginia; (ii) in which at least 24 percent
of the assessed value of all real estate in such city is exempt from local
property taxation, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation Annual
Report for Fiscal Year 2018; and (iii) that experienced a population decrease
of at least five percent from 1990 to 2016, according to data provided by the
U.S. Census Bureau; and
5. Any city (i) with a population greater than 200,000
according to the 2018 population estimates from the Weldon Cooper Center for
Public Service of the University of Virginia; (ii) in which at least 24
17 percent of the assessed value of all real estate in such city is exempt
from local property taxation, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation
Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2018 2016; and (iii) (ii)
that had a poverty rate of at least 24 21 percent in 2017
2019, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau; and (iii)
that had an annual unemployment rate of at least 13 percent in 2020, according
to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
6. Any county (i) with a population greater than 1.15 million in 2020 according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau; (ii) in which at least six percent of the assessed value of all real estate in such county is exempt from local property taxation, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021; and (iii) that has adopted the urban county executive form of government.
B. In selecting a preferred casino gaming operator, an
eligible host city locality shall have considered and given
substantial weight to factors such as:
1. The potential benefit and prospective revenues of the proposed casino gaming establishment.
2. The total value of the proposed casino gaming establishment.
3. The proposed capital investment and the financial health of the proposer and any proposed development partners.
4. The experience of the proposer and any development partners in the operation of a casino gaming establishment.
5. Security plans for the proposed casino gaming establishment.
6. The economic development value of the proposed casino gaming establishment and the potential for community reinvestment and redevelopment in an area in need of such.
7. Availability of city-owned locality-owned
assets and privately owned assets, such as real property, including where there
is only one location practicably available or land under a development
agreement between a potential operator and the city locality,
incorporated in the proposal.
8. The best financial interest of the city locality.
9. The proposer's status as a minority-owned business as defined in §2.2-1604 or the proposer's commitment to solicit equity investment in the proposed casino gaming establishment from one or more minority-owned businesses and the proposer's commitment to solicit contracts with minority-owned businesses for the purchase of goods and services.
C. The Department shall, upon request of any eligible host
city locality, provide a list of resources that may be of assistance
in evaluating the technical merits of any proposal submitted pursuant to this
section, provided that selection of the preferred casino gaming operator shall
be at the city's locality's sole discretion.
D. The eligible host city locality described in
subdivision A 4 shall provide substantial and preferred consideration to a
proposer who is a Virginia Indian tribe recognized in House Joint Resolution
No. 54 (1983) and acknowledged by the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs for
the U.S. Department of the Interior as an Indian tribe within the meaning of
federal law that has the authority to conduct gaming activities as a matter of
claimed inherent authority or under the authority of the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. §2701 et seq.).
E. The eligible host city described in subdivision A 5 may
provide preferred consideration to a proposer who is a Virginia Indian tribe
recognized in House Joint Resolution No. 54 (1983) and acknowledged by the
Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior as
an Indian tribe within the meaning of federal law that has the authority to
conduct gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under
the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. §2701 et seq.).
F. The eligible host locality described in
subdivision A 6 shall be limited to a proposed site for a casino gaming
establishment that is (i) located within one-quarter of a mile of an existing
station on the metro Silver Line, (ii) part of a coordinated mixed-use project
development, (iii) within two miles of a regional enclosed mall containing not
less than 1.5 million square feet of gross building area, and (iv) outside of
the Interstate 495 Beltway.
F. 1. An eligible host city locality
shall promptly submit its preferred casino gaming operator to the Department
for review prior to scheduling the referendum required by §58.1-4123. An
eligible host city locality shall include with the submission any
written or electronic documentation considered as part of the criteria in
subsection B, including any memorandums of understanding, incentives,
development agreements, land purchase agreements, or local infrastructure
agreements.
2. The Department shall conduct a preliminary review of
the financial status and ability of the preferred casino gaming operator to
operate and properly support ongoing operations in an eligible host city
locality, as well as current casino operations in other states and territories.
The Department shall conduct such review within 45 days of receipt of the
submission by the eligible host city locality. An eligible host
city locality and preferred casino gaming operator shall fully
cooperate with all necessary requests by the Department in that regard. Upon
successful preliminary review, the Department shall certify approval for the
eligible host city locality to proceed to the referendum required
by §58.1-4123. The Department shall develop guidelines establishing procedures
and criteria for conducting the preliminary review required by this subsection.
Certification by the Department to proceed to referendum shall in no way
entitle the preferred casino gaming operator to approval of any application to
operate a casino gaming establishment.
§58.1-4107.1. Regional Improvement Commission.
There is hereby established the Regional Improvement
Commission (the Commission). The membership of the Commission shall consist of
one member appointed by the local governing body of each jurisdiction composing
the transportation district created pursuant to the Transportation District Act
of 1964 (§33.2-1900 et seq.) that includes the eligible host city
locality described in subdivision A 3 of §58.1-4107. Each member shall be
appointed to serve a two-year term. Notwithstanding the provisions of
subdivision B 1 of §58.1-4125, for a casino gaming establishment located in
the eligible host city locality described in subdivision A 3 of §
58.1-4107, such transfer, otherwise returned to the city locality
where it was collected, shall instead be made to the Commission. The purpose of
the Commission shall be to (i) receive disbursements made to it; (ii) establish
funding priorities for member localities related to improvements in the areas
of education, transportation, and public safety; and (iii) make annual payments
divided equally among the jurisdictions to fund the established priorities as
determined by the Commission.
§58.1-4109. Submission of preferred casino gaming operator by eligible host locality; application for operator's license; penalty.
A. If a majority of those voting in a referendum held pursuant
to §58.1-4123 vote in the affirmative, the eligible host city
locality shall certify its preferred casino gaming operator and submit such
certification to the Department within 30 days.
B. Any preferred casino gaming operator desiring to operate a casino gaming establishment shall file with the Department an application for an operator's license. Such application shall be filed at the place prescribed by the Department and shall be in such form and contain such information as prescribed by the Department, including but not limited to the following:
1. The name and address of such person; if a corporation, the state of its incorporation, the full name and address of each officer and director thereof, and, if a foreign corporation, whether it is qualified to do business in the Commonwealth; if a partnership or joint venture, the name and address of each general partner thereof; if a limited liability company, the name and address of each manager thereof; or, if another entity, the name and address of each person performing duties similar to those of officers, directors, and general partners;
2. The name and address of each principal and of each person who has contracted to become a principal of the applicant, including providing management services with respect to any part of gaming operations; the nature and cost of such principal's interest; and the name and address of each person who has agreed to lend money to the applicant;
3. Such information as the Department considers appropriate regarding the character, background, and responsibility of the applicant and the principals, officers, and directors of the applicant;
4. A description of the casino gaming establishment in which
such gaming operations are to be conducted, the city locality
where such casino gaming establishment will be located, and the applicant's
capital investment plan for the site. The Board shall require such information
about a casino gaming establishment and its location as it deems necessary and
appropriate to determine whether it complies with the minimum standards
provided in this chapter and whether gaming operations at such location will be
in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter;
5. Such information relating to the financial responsibility of the applicant, including the applicant's financing plan for the casino gaming establishment, and the applicant's ability to perform under its license as the Department considers appropriate;
6. If any of the facilities necessary for the conduct of gaming operations are to be leased, the terms of such lease;
7. Evidence of compliance by the applicant with the economic
development and land use plans and design review criteria of the local
governing body of the city locality in which the casino gaming
establishment is proposed to be located, including certification that the
project complies with all applicable land use ordinances pursuant to Chapter 22
(§15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2;
8. Such information necessary to enable the Department to review the application based upon the best financial interests of the Commonwealth;
9. Such information necessary to enable the Department to authorize on-premises mobile casino gaming pursuant to Article 11 (§58.1-4131 et seq.);
10. Submission of the following: (i) a minority investment plan disclosing any equity interest owned by a minority individual or minority-owned business or the applicant's efforts to seek equity investment from minority individuals or minority-owned businesses and (ii) a plan for the participation of minority individuals or minority-owned businesses in the applicant's purchase of goods and services related to the casino gaming establishment. As used in the subdivision, "minority individual" and "minority-owned business" mean the same as those terms are defined in §2.2-1604; and
11. Any other information that the Department in its discretion considers appropriate.
C. A nonrefundable application fee of $50,000 shall be paid for each principal at the time of filing to defray the costs associated with the background investigation conducted for the Department. If the reasonable costs of the investigation exceed the application fee, the applicant shall pay the additional amount to the Department. The Board may establish regulations calculating the reasonable costs to the Department in performing its functions under this chapter and allocating such costs to the applicants for licensure at the time of filing.
D. Any license application from an Indian tribe as described in subsection D of §58.1-4107 shall certify that the material terms of the relevant development agreements between the Indian tribe and any development partner have been determined in the opinion of the Office of General Counsel of the National Indian Gaming Commission after review not to deprive the Indian tribe of the sole proprietor interest in the gaming operations for purposes of federal Indian gaming law.
E. Any application filed hereunder shall be verified by the oath or affirmation of the applicant. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement on an application is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
F. The licensed operator shall be the person primarily responsible for the gaming operations under its license and compliance of such operations with the provisions of this chapter.
G. The Department may use or rely on any application, supporting documentation, or information submitted pursuant to §58.1-4032, in reviewing and verifying an application submitted pursuant to this chapter.
§58.1-4110. Issuance of operator's license to preferred casino gaming operator; standards for licensure; temporary casino gaming allowed under certain conditions.
A. If a preferred casino gaming operator, as certified by the
applicable eligible host city locality, submits an application
that meets the standards for licensure set forth in this article, the Board
shall issue an operator's license to such preferred casino gaming operator. The
Board shall not consider an application from any applicant that has not been
certified as a preferred casino gaming operator by an eligible host city
locality.
B. The Board may issue an operator's license to an applicant only if it finds that:
1. The applicant submits a plan for addressing responsible gaming issues, including the goals of the plan, procedures, and deadlines for implementation of the plan;
2. The applicant has established a policy requiring all license and permit holders who interact directly with the public in the casino gaming establishment to complete a training course acceptable to the Department in how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking;
3. The casino gaming establishment the applicant proposes to use on a permanent basis is or will be appropriate for gaming operations consistent with the purposes of this chapter;
4. The city locality where the casino gaming
establishment will be located certifies that the proposed project complies with
all applicable land use ordinances pursuant to Chapter 22 (§15.2-2200 et seq.)
of Title 15.2;
5. Any required local infrastructure or site improvements, including necessary sewerage, water, drainage facilities, or traffic flow, are to be paid exclusively by the applicant without state or local financial assistance;
6. If the applicant is an entity, its securities are fully paid and, in the case of stock, nonassessable and have been subscribed and will be paid for only in cash or property to the exclusion of past services;
7. All principals meet the criteria of this subsection and have submitted to the jurisdiction of the Virginia courts, and all nonresident principals have designated the Director as their agent for receipt of process;
8. If the applicant is an entity, it has the right to purchase at fair market value the securities of, and require the resignation of, any person who is or becomes disqualified under subsection C;
9. The applicant meets any other criteria established by this chapter and the Board's regulations for the granting of an operator's license;
10. The applicant is qualified to do business in Virginia or is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth; and
11. The applicant has not previously been denied a license pursuant to subsection C.
C. The Board shall deny a license to an applicant if it finds that for any reason the issuance of a license to the applicant would reflect adversely on the honesty and integrity of the casino gaming industry in the Commonwealth or that the applicant, or any officer, principal, manager, or director of the applicant:
1. Is or has been guilty of any illegal act, conduct, or practice in connection with gaming operations in this or any other state or has been convicted of a felony;
2. Has had a license or permit to hold or conduct a gaming operation denied for cause, suspended, or revoked, in this or any other state or country, unless the license or permit was subsequently granted or reinstated;
3. Has at any time during the previous five years knowingly failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any Department regulation;
4. Has knowingly made a false statement of material fact to the Department or has deliberately failed to disclose any information requested by the Department;
5. Has defaulted in the payment of any obligation or debt due to the Commonwealth and has not cured such default; or
6. Has operated or caused to be operated a casino gaming establishment for which a license is required under this chapter without obtaining such license.
D. The Board shall make a determination regarding whether to issue the operator's license within 12 months of the receipt of a completed application.
E. The Board shall be limited to the issuance of one
operator's license for each eligible host city locality.
F. If, at the time of application, the applicant has not satisfied the capital investment requirement of at least $300 million pursuant to subsection B of §58.1-4108 but otherwise meets the standards for licensure set forth in this article, the Department shall issue the operator's license, which, prior to satisfying the capital investment requirement, may not be used to conduct gaming other than temporary casino gaming pursuant to subsection G.
G. The Department may authorize casino gaming to occur on a temporary basis for a period of one year under the following conditions:
1. The request to authorize casino gaming is made by a preferred casino gaming operator that has been issued a license consistent with this section.
2. The preferred casino gaming operator has submitted as a
part of its application for licensure a construction schedule for a casino
gaming establishment that has been approved by the eligible host city
locality and the Department.
3. The temporary casino gaming is to be conducted at the same site referenced in the referendum held pursuant to §58.1-4123.
4. The preferred casino gaming operator has secured suppliers and employees holding the appropriate permits required by this chapter and sufficient for the routine operation of the site where the temporary casino gaming is authorized.
5. A performance bond is posted in an amount acceptable to the Board.
H. No portion of any facility developed with the assistance of any grants or loans provided by a redevelopment and housing authority created pursuant to §36-4 shall be used as a casino gaming establishment.
The Department may renew the authorization to conduct temporary casino gaming for an additional year if it determines that the preferred casino gaming operator has made a good faith effort to comply with the approved construction schedule.
I. An operator issued a license under this chapter shall not be precluded from operating a sports betting facility for individuals to participate in sports betting activities in a casino gaming establishment, which may include in-person sports betting where the bettor places a bet directly with an employee of the casino or the sports betting permit holder, or through a kiosk or device.
§58.1-4111. Duration and form of operator's license; bond.
A. A casino gaming operator license under this chapter shall
be valid for a period of 10 years from its date of issuance but shall be
reviewed no less frequently than annually to determine compliance with this
chapter and Department regulations. Such annual review shall include a
certification by the eligible host city locality of the status of
the operator's compliance with local ordinances and regulations. If the
certification states that the operator is not in compliance, the Department
shall require the operator to submit a plan of compliance, corrective action,
or request for variance.
B. The Board shall establish by regulation the criteria and procedures for license renewal and for amending licenses to conform to changes in a licensee's gaming operations. Such regulations shall require the operator to submit to the Board any updates or revisions to the capital investment plan provided with the initial license application pursuant to subdivision B 4 of § 58.1-4109. Renewal shall not be unreasonably refused.
C. The Department shall require a bond with surety acceptable to it, and in an amount determined by it, to be sufficient to cover any indebtedness incurred by the licensee to the Commonwealth.
§58.1-4123. Local referendum required.
A. The Department shall not grant any initial license to
operate a gaming operation in an eligible host city locality
until a referendum on the question of whether casino gaming shall be permitted
in such city locality is approved by the voters of such city
locality.
B. The governing body of any city locality
containing an eligible host city locality shall petition the
court, by resolution, asking that a referendum be held on the question of
whether casino gaming shall be permitted within the city locality.
The court, by order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (§24.2-681
et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election
officials of the city locality to open the polls and take the sense
of the voters on the question as herein provided.
C. The clerk of such court of record of such city
locality shall publish notice of such election in a newspaper of general
circulation in such city locality once a week for three
consecutive weeks prior to such election.
D. The regular election officers of such city
locality shall open the polls at the various voting places in such city
locality on the date specified in such order and conduct such election in
the manner provided by law. The election shall be by ballot, which shall be
prepared by the electoral board of the city locality and on which
shall be printed the following question:
"Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming
establishment in ________________________ (name of city locality and
location) as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No"
In the blank shall be inserted the name of the city
locality in which such election is held and the proposed location of the
casino gaming establishment. Any voter desiring to vote "Yes" shall
mark in the square provided for such purpose immediately preceding the word
"Yes," leaving the square immediately preceding the word
"No" unmarked. Any voter desiring to vote "No" shall mark
in the square provided for such purpose immediately preceding the word
"No," leaving the square immediately preceding the word
"Yes" unmarked.
E. The ballots shall be counted, the returns made and
canvassed as in other elections, and the results certified by the electoral
board to the court ordering such election. Thereupon, such court shall enter an
order proclaiming the results of such election and a duly certified copy of
such order shall be transmitted to the Department and to the governing body of
such city locality.
F. A subsequent local referendum shall be required if a license has not been granted by the Board within five years of the court order proclaiming the results of the election.
§58.1-4125. Gaming Proceeds Fund.
A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Gaming Proceeds Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys required to be deposited into the Fund pursuant to this chapter shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.
B. Revenues from the Fund shall be apportioned by the Comptroller as follows:
1. The following amounts shall be distributed to the city
locality in which they were collected by warrants of the Comptroller drawn
on the Treasurer of Virginia on a quarterly basis:
a. An amount equal to a six percent tax on the first $200 million of adjusted gross receipts;
b. An amount equal to a seven percent tax on the adjusted gross receipts that exceed $200 million but do not exceed $400 million; and
c. An amount equal to an eight percent tax on the adjusted gross receipts that exceed $400 million.
2. For any casino gaming establishment operated by a Virginia Indian tribe recognized in House Joint Resolution No. 54 (1983) and acknowledged by the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior as an Indian tribe within the meaning of federal law that has the authority to conduct gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. §2701 et seq.), an amount equal to a tax of one percent on the adjusted gross receipts of such establishment shall be deposited in the Virginia Indigenous People's Trust Fund established pursuant to §2.2-401.01.
3. Eight-tenths of one percent of the Fund shall be deposited in the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund established pursuant to § 37.2-314.2.
4. Two-tenths of one percent of the Fund shall be deposited in the Family and Children's Trust Fund established pursuant to §63.2-2100.
5. Any remaining revenues not apportioned pursuant to subdivisions 1 through 4 shall be deposited in the School Construction Fund established pursuant to §22.1-140.1.
