Delegate Oder carries legislation to clarify Virginia’s gambling laws
Richmond, VA – All House Bills dealing with internet gambling businesses have now been incorporated into Delegate Glenn Oder’s (R-Newport News) House Bill 1584. This bill declares that the purchase of a product or other thing of value as a condition for an opportunity to receive a benefit through a game of chance constitutes illegal gambling. The bills are declaratory of existing law, meaning that the bills will not be construed to mean that gambling in this fashion was ever considered legal prior to the time of the legislation’s passage. Past prosecutions will be upheld, current prosecutions will continue, and future prosecutions will include this form of gambling.
Currently, some local jurisdictions are wrongly led by gambling advocates to believe that if any product, no matter how inconsequential, is offered along with an opportunity to gamble, Virginia’s gambling statute has been legally circumvented (for example, selling a 10 cent pencil for $5 and including in the sale a “free” opportunity to gamble on an Internet game). These gambling operations, which seek to characterize themselves as legitimate sweepstakes games, are currently operation or have operated in the following localities thus far: Warren County, Front Royal, Petersburg, Chesapeake, Danville, Emporia, Hampton, Richmond, Caroline, Spotsylvania, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Chesterfield, and Pittsylvania.
“Recently, North Carolina proposed new laws regarding internet casino gambling. Unfortunately, these illegal casinos are now moving into Virginia,” said Delegate Oder. “HB 1584 is designed to make the law clear that these illegal casinos have no place in Virginia.”
The Newport News Planning Commission recently approved of two internet gambling casinos in the Denbigh section of Newport News. These proposals are currently awaiting action by the Newport News City Council.
Glenn Oder was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001. He represents the 94th House District, which includes part of Newport News.
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