As fun as gambling is, it’s still a taboo in many parts of the world. Times are changing, however, for those who enjoy it. A vast number of countries have legalized it, allowing gamblers to play games of chance and win some money in return.
In the US, the situation is tricky. Gambling is not legal everywhere because of individual state laws. Virginia is an excellent example of a state where this pastime isn’t entirely legal. Online casino sites made it easier, but many still wonder, are there any casinos in Virginia Beach?
A Short Overview of Gambling in Virginia Beach
Commercial gambling was illegal in Virginia for a very long time. The General Assembly cited the moral risks of gambling as the reason for this decision. In 1988, The Virginia Lottery began operating in the state. No other competitor was allowed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Only recently, in 2020, the Virginia Assembly decided gambling wasn’t a moral hazard anymore. House Bill 4 was passed, making it legal to operate casinos in the Commonwealth. This started with approving five cities in the state to have physical casinos, but Virginia Beach didn’t make the cut.
To sidestep this hindrance, many residents of the city have flocked to online casinos. Those, in their turn, offer attractive deals to make all the players stay loyal for a long time. These platforms allow them to deposit $5 play with 50 free spins from wherever they are. Unless the state makes casinos legal in Virginia, there aren’t other ways players can enjoy slot machines and other online casino games.
Skill Games as a Way to Avoid the Restriction
They say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”, and that’s true here. Since Virginia Law prohibited games of chance, Skill Games became the answer. These were essentially slot machines that required a certain level of skill to win. The operators of these games successfully got away with their creation. They argued that the titles required skill and, therefore, weren’t precisely gambling. A vast number of Virginians and tourists claim to have won money via these. In Virginia Beach, these titles brought in annual revenue exceeding $1 million. This makes sense because the slot-like machines were located everywhere, from bars and malls to gas stations.
More than 10,000 of these physical devices were installed across the state, generating income each year. The Virginia Lottery lost some $140 million per annum due to Skill Games. It’s no surprise that after legalizing gambling in the state, Virginia decided to deem Skill Games illegal.
Penalty for Unauthorized Gambling
Illegal gambling in places like Virginia Beach is strictly dealt with. Wagering on horse races is a Class 3 Misdemeanor which incurs a fine up to $500. Unauthorized wagers that don’t profit the Commonwealth are labeled a Class 1 Misdemeanor. This level of criminal activity could lead to a 12-month jail time and/or get them fined up to $2500.
Virginia gambling laws also dictate that someone operating a casino for 30 days or generates a daily revenue of $2000 is charged with a felony, not a misdemeanor. This serious offense is why physical casinos are absent in the state. So, if you want to gamble in VaBeach, learn all applicable laws beforehand.
Five Lucky Cities to Host Casinos
As mentioned, five cities in the state are allowed to open casinos. These include:
- Bristol
- Danville
- Norfolk
- Portsmouth
- Richmond.
All five locations are expected to generate millions in tax revenue. The newly opened Portsmouth Casino reported generating nearly $24 million in its first month of operation. This shows the potential for widespread legalization of gambling in Virginia. As long as gaming regulations allow for playing games of chance, the state will earn a lot each year. This could help finance multiple aspects of everyday life, from education to healthcare. Hopefully, the five approved cities will become a successful case study of how such activities boost the state’s financial strength while providing entertainment to the residents.
Gambling from Home
With such stringent laws regarding Virginia casinos, one may wonder if gambling in your house is legal. The answer is no. There are no regulations that prohibit residents from playing casino games at home. What’s not allowed are charging fees to your friends and taking a commission, or rake, from the pot.
It’s very common for gamblers to use virtual platforms to gamble. There are countless online casinos these days with everything you expect from a physical location. In fact, they offer even more when it comes to bonuses and free spins. Starting with a minimum deposit of $5, many offshore online sites are visited by residents of Virginia Beach. Thanks to low deposits, online gaming is low-risk, too. Imagine spending just $5 and winning the jackpot without ever setting foot outside your house.
Bottom Line
So, is gambling allowed in Virginia Beach? Not quite yet. Players will have to wait until the state legalizes and authorizes casinos to be built in the city. Skill Games that previously gave folks a good alternative to slots are also going away. Online sites do offer a number of benefits to players, like low deposits, regular bonuses, easy and secure payment methods, and hundreds of games. Carefully research which laws apply before partaking in web-based games of chance. Still, to stay on the safe side when in Virginia Beach, visit the nearest city with a state-authorized casino in place.
Events
