RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers have approved a broad expansion of gambling options in a state that’s been largely loath to embracing new betting options in the past.

Lawmakers gave final approval Sunday to legislation to allow voters in Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth to hold local referendums later this year on whether to approve casinos. Legislators also have approved approved the expansion of slot-like machines and signed off on online lottery sales and sports betting. Gov. Ralph Northam still needs to give final approval before the legislation can become law.

Virginia is currently one of only a handful of states that forbid any type of casinos, but it has been inching toward legalizing them in recent years as more conservative lawmakers leave office.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia lawmakers have approved a broad expansion of gambling options in a state that’s been largely loathe to embracing new betting options in the past. Lawmakers gave final approval to legislation Sunday to allow voters in Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth to hold local referendums later this year to approve casinos. Legislators also have approved the expansion of slot-like machines and signed off on online lottery sales and sports betting.

Gov. Ralph Northam still needs to give final approval before the legislation can become law.

Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas, who has pushed for casinos for decades, said lawmakers finally realized how much money Virginia is losing out to neighboring states.
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