State Sen. Bill Stanley (R-VA-7) said legalization of iGaming in Virginia could feed the “black market” and fuel gambling addiction.
“Researchers say these products are ten times more addictive than the slot machine at a physical casino,” said Stanley, as reported by WVTF. “The claim that legalization curbs the illegal marketplace is just not correct.”
“Pennsylvania’s illegal gambling participation grew from six to 10 percent in one year after legalization of iGaming,” said Stanley. “Legalization feeds the black market by normalizing the behavior.”
Stanley represents the 7th District in the Virginia Senate. He was first elected to the Senate in 2011 after previously serving in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2010.
His comments come as the General Assembly considers proposals that would authorize internet casino gaming, often referred to as iGaming, and place it under the authority of the Virginia Lottery Board.
Senate Bill 118 would create a regulated online casino market in Virginia and authorize internet gaming and establish oversight through the Lottery Board, according to the Virginia Legislative Information System bill summary.
A fiscal analysis of SB 118 says the proposal would allow licensed casino operators to run online gaming platforms and would impose a 20% tax on adjusted gross internet gaming revenue.
In the House, House Bill 161 outlines a similar regulatory structure and a 15% tax rate, as described in the House fiscal impact statement.
“A small portion, 5%, of those taxes would be allocated to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund,” reported WTOP on Jan. 12.
Old Dominion News reported last week that calls to the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline — the state-supported hotline that connects residents to treatment and support services — increased 49% from 2023 to 2024, while intake calls rose 11%, according to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ evaluation of problem gambling services.
The DBHDS evaluation also noted broader growth in legal gambling activity statewide, reporting that Virginia sports betting revenue reached $560.2 million in 2023, a 16.4% increase year over year.
iGaming is “highly addictive,” wrote Tad Berman, founder of Virginians for Integrity in Horse Racing and Casino Gambling, in a Dec. 2025 op-ed in Cardinal News.
“Problem gaming disorders have skyrocketed in the seven states where it has been legalized,” wrote Berman. “Having a casino available on your smartphone 24/7 makes casino gambling way too accessible and creates a situation where you can wipe out your entire bank account and max out your credit cards in just minutes, without ever leaving your house.”
