• Poker players left with something of a mixed bag in Virginia. Washington State: In theory, the absolute worst state for online poker players as participating in a real-money game online appears to merit a felony charge.
• Virginia's first four casinos will start construction in 2021 and open to the public in late 2022 and early 2023. The Richmond casino will follow a year later. Virginia's Casino Gaming Laws. In March 2019 a new casino gaming law was passed by the state general assembly and signed by the governor.

Virginia is one of the last states in the nation to legalize casino gambling. In 2019 the state legislation approved five cities as locations to build casino resorts.

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Four of these cities selected a casino proposal from the plans submitted by applicants, and final approval was granted by local voters in the Nov 2020 election. The fifth city, Richmond, delayed their casino process by one year.

No Tribal Casinos
Virginia remains a state with no Indian gaming casinos, however, the Norfolk casino will be developed by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, and the Bristol casino will be operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida under their Hard Rock subsidiary. Both casino will be state-licensed commercial casinos and not operate under the U.S. Indian Gaming Act.

Virginia's First Casinos

This brief video summarized the story of how casinos were legalized in Virginia.

Bristol Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Courtesy of Bristol Herald Courier, Feb 12, 2021. Available from YouTube

Five cities have been authorized by legislation to host casinos. Four cities have approved a casino referendum - Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth. These four casino are entering a development stage in early 2021.The fifth casino designated for Richmond will follow by one year.

Virginia casinos will operate under state licenses issued by the Virginia Lottery Board. None of the casinos will operate under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, however, two of Virginia's first four casinos will be operated by Native American tribes.

• The Norfolk Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.

• Hard Rock Casino in Bristol is operated by Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Projected Casino Opening Dates

Virginia's first four casinos will start construction in 2021 and open to the public in late 2022 and early 2023. The Richmond casino will follow a year later.

Virginia's Casino Gaming Laws

In March 2019 a new casino gaming law was passed by the state general assembly and signed by the governor. In the Nov. 2020 election voters approved construction of casinos in the four cities of Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth.

'Casino Gaming'
Virginia law defines casino gaming as follows:

'... baccarat, blackjack, twenty-one, poker, craps, dice, slot machines, sports betting, roulette wheels, Klondike tables, punchboards, faro layouts, keno layouts, numbers tickets, push cards, jar tickets, pull tabs, online gaming, and any other activity that is authorized by the Board as a wagering game or device under Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100 et seq.).

Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+ful+SB1126ER

News Headlines

Richmond casino bidders include Alabama's Poarch IndiansFebruary 25, 2021 - Poarch Band of Creek Indians have joined the fight for the sole casino license in Richmond, VA. The tribe submitted a $541 million proposal to build a casino resort on the city's South Side.... Read more Richmond receives four casino applications by dealineFebruary 23, 2021 - Before the deadline closed last night, four applicants had submitted their proposals for building a casino in Richmond, Virginia. Here is the early information regarding the applications. More details are expected... Read moreVirginia Lottery Board approves state casino regulationsFebruary 13, 2021 -

Virginia Online Poker Laws

Last week the Virginia State Lottery Board approved its initial set of casino regulations to govern state-approved casino gambling operations. The provisions include slot machine payout percentages... Read moreVirginia Sports Betting began Jan 1January 7, 2021 - January 1st was the beginning date for legalized sports betting in Virginia. The first online sportsbooks are expected to launch later this month just in time for Super Bowl LV on February 7th. A maximum of 12 operators... Read moreRichmond casino will be selected from three proposalsDecember 29, 2020 - Voters in Richmond, Virginia will decide in a Nov 2021 election whether to approve or reject a casino for their city. The casino proposed on the ballot will be selected by the Richmond City Council... Read moreRichmond casino timeline through 2023December 7, 2020 - Richmond is starting the year-long process to select a casino applicant for development of a casino resort within its city. Richmond was one of five cities authorized by the Virginia General Assembly to build a casino... Read moreTimeline for opening new Virginia CasinosNovember 29, 2020 - he Virginia Lottery Board has begun the long process towards licensing and opening the first Vegas-style casinos in Virgnia after voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth approved casino referendums... Read more Headlines continued...

Approved Casinos

Virginia legislation allows casino gambling in five cities: Danville, Bristol, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Richmond. Richmond residents will vote later on a ballot measure to approve a casino. The other four cities voted approvals on Nov. 3, 2020.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA
HARD ROCK CASINO BRISTOL
This $150M casino will be built on the site of the former Bristol Mall property and feature a casino, a live concert venue and a 600-1000 room hotel. See Details

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA
CAESARS VIRGINIA
Caesars Entertainment will build a $400 million casino resort in Danville at the former site of Dan River Mills' Schoolfield Division. See Details

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
NORFOLK RESORT & CASINO
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe will build a $700M casino and hotel on the Norfolk waterfront next to the minor league baseball stadium. See Details

PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA
RIVERS CASINO PORTSMOUTH
The Portsmouth casino will cost $300 million and built on the Elizabeth River near the marina on property once occupied by a Holiday Inn. See Details

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
RICHMOND CASINO - Future
The city of Richmond has started the process of selecting a casino operator and a location by summer 2021. Voter approval will be scheduled for Nov. 2021. See Details

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News Articles

Virginia Lottery Board Approves Casino Regulations

February 13, 2021

Last week the Virginia State Lottery Board approved its initial set of casino regulations to govern state-approved casino gambling operations. The provisions include slot machine payout percentages, distribution of fees and taxes, gambling policies and security.

The state-licensed casinos in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville and potentially Richmond will be subject to the following regulations. This is a partial list of the key provisions.

FEES AND TAXES

• Each casino will pay the state a one-time $15 million licensing fee good for 10 years.

• Each casino will pay the Virginia Lottery a $50,000 fee for background investigations of casino officials and investors.

• Gross gaming revenues will be taxed on a graduated scale of 18-30 percent and paid to the Virginia Gaming Proceeds Fund.

• Most of the Gaming Proceed Funds will be allocated to the local governments in cities with casinos. One percent will go to the Virginia Indigenous People's Trust Fund, 0.8 percent to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, and 0.2 percent ftor the Family and Children's Trust Fund.

GAMBLING

• The minimum age of 21 is required to enter a casino.

• Each casino must develop and advertise a responsible gambling program.

• Casinos cannot extend credit to gamblers.

• Wagering cannot be conducted in cash. Gamblers must wager with tokens, chips, or electronic cards purchased from the casino.

• Slot machine wagers can range from a penny to $500.

• Slot machine payouts must average between 89 and 94 percent.

• Table game wager limits are $5 to $50,000.

SECURITY

• Each casino must have a minimum of 1,000 square feet of office space adjacent to the gaming floor for the purpose of security and surveillance.

The above features are some of the preliminary regulations approved by the Lottery Board. The board will publish a full set of casino regulations upon completion.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia Sports Betting began Jan 1

January 7, 2021

January 1st was the beginning date for legalized sports betting in Virginia. The first online sportsbooks are expected to launch later this month just in time for Super Bowl LV on February 7th.

Last July the Virginia General Assembly authorized the Virginia Lottery to license and oversee all sportsbook operations in the state. A maximum of 12 licenses is authorized, and nearly two dozen applications have been received. It is expected that four licenses will be issued to the recent voter-approved casinos: Caesars Virginia in Danville, Hard Rock Casino in Bristol, Pamunkey Tribe's Resort & Casino in Norfolk and Rivers Casino in Portsmouth. The other eight will likely be issued to established operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, and others. One may be held for the future Richmond Casino.

Sports betting in Virginia is expected to generate $400 million in annual revenues. The state will collect 15% of the revenue as taxes.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Timeline for opening new Virginia Casinos

November 29, 2020

The Virginia Lottery Board has begun the long process towards licensing and opening the first Vegas-style casinos in Virginia. Those casinos will be Hard Rock Casino Bristol in Bristol, Caesars Virginia in Danville, Norfolk Resort & Casino in Norfolk and Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Portsmouth.

Here is the expected timeline from today until the first casinos open:

November 2020
Virginia Lottery attorneys have begun preparing casino gaming regulations soon after November 3 when Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth approved casino referendums for their cities.

February 2021
The Virginia Lottery Board will see a draft version of the regulations in February 2021. A final version is expected to be approved by April 2021.

April 2021
Kevin Hall, Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery, anticipates 'to begin accepting the first casino applications shortly after the initial regs take effect in April.' All casino applicants will undergo an extensive criminal and financial background investigation that could take up to a year.

Spring-Summer 2021
The first casino operator licenses will be issued in the spring or summer of 2022.

Spring 2022
The first new casinos are expected to open in Virginia.

Temporary Casinos
Hard Rock Bristol proposed a temporary casino while its main casino is under construction, however, this is unlikely because a temporary casino follows the same licensing provisions and procedures as a permanent casino.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia voters approve casinos in four cities

November 5, 2020

Local voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth approved local referendums to build casinos in their respective cities. Votes were 2 to 1 in favor of these casinos.

Bristol Casino
HARD ROCK CASINO BRISTOL
This $400 million casino and hotel project that will be built on the site of the former Bristol Mall. The plan includes a 90,000-square-foot casino, a live concert venue, and a 600-1000 room hotel.

Danville Casino
CAESARS VIRGINIA
This $400 million casino and hotel project will be built at the former site of Dan River Mills' Schoolfield Division. It includes a casino, restaurants, 2,500-seat live entertainment center, conference space, and a 300-room hotel with spa.

Norfolk Casino
NORFOLK RESORT & CASINO
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe plans a $500 milliion casino and hotel on the Norfolk waterfront next to the minor league baseball stadium. The project includes a casino with 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games and a 300-room hotel.

Portsmouth Casino
RIVERS CASINO PORTSMOUTH
This $300 million casino and hotel project will be built on the Elizabeth River near the marina on property of the former Holiday Inn. It features 400,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment including a 3,000-seat entertainment center and a 4-star hotel.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

VA Govenor amends and returns casino bill to legislature

April 12, 2020

Governor Ralph Northam supports the expansion of gaming in Virginia, however, he did not sign the gaming bill sent to him by the legislature. Instead he amended the bill and returned it to the legislature to reconsider.

The key provision amended by the governor was the distribution of gaming revenues received by the state. Instead of designating the income to the Virginia General Fund as prescribed in the bill, the governor wants two-thirds sent to state education programs.

The General Assembly will now reconvene on the issue to complete the bill. If the governor's changes are approved, the bill becomes law. If rejected or no action is taken, the governor will make the final decision by either signing or vetoing the bill.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia moves to legalize casinos, sports betting

March 13, 2020

This week the Virginia General Assembly gave its final approvals to a major expansion in state gambling by passing two bills to legalize casinos and sports betting.

SPORTS BETTING BILL

Online sports betting will be legalized for professional sports and college sports excluding Virginia schools. These may become available by end of year.

Permits to operate a sports betting website or app will be limited to 12. This limit does not apply to the casinos or major sport teams in Virginia. Professional teams like the Washington Redskins and others based in the state can also build brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Virginia-based stadiums.

Sports betting will not be included in the 'skill games' betting machines that are widely available in convenience stores, truck stops and restaurants.

CASINO BILL

Casinos will be built in Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth if approved by local voters. Referendums on each casino and its location will be held later this year.

Pamunkey Indian Tribe plan to build casinos in Richmond and Norfolk.

'After centuries of disenfranchisement and social injustices, the Pamunkey Tribe is on the verge of ensuring the long-term success of the Tribe. Its plans to build two resorts with casinos will allow the Tribe to provide needed programs and services to its members. It will be a great partner for Norfolk and Richmond.'

Pamunkey spokesman Jay Smith

NEXT STEP

Both bills are noW waiting for Gov. Ralph Northam's for signature.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia governor remains noncommittal on casino legislation

January 17, 2020

Gov. Ralph Northam said he is open to the idea of casino legalization in Virginia, but has not taken a position on Bill SB1126, which must be reenacted by both the House and the Senate in this session. If passed, the governor will make the final decision on whether to sign the legislation into law and legalize casino gambling in the state.

Bill SB1126 was introduced in the 2019 legislative session. It has been amended by both houses and must be reenacted in the 2020 Session of the General Assembly.

The bill will authorize casino gambling in a limited number of cities. The Virginia Lottery Board will license and regulate the casinos. City residents must vote to approve these casinos.

For a full summary of the bill and its amendments, visit SB 1126 Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming, penalties, report.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

2020 Preview: Virginia Casino Legalization?

January 7, 2020

One of the hot topics for the Virginia legislature in 2020 will be casino gambling. Virginia is currently one of nine states that prohibit casinos.

In March 2019 a casino law was passed by the state general assembly and signed by the governor that will give local voters an opportunity this year to approve or disapprove casinos in five proposed cities: Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth.

The legislature also directed a study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to determine the impact of casinos on these communities. The results of the JLARC's report were these:

• Casinos would generate $260 million a year in new state gaming taxes.

• Casinos would create 5,000 new jobs.

• A northern Virginia casino would generate an additional $155 million in state gaming taxes, and create an additional 3,200 jobs.

The Virginia general assembly is caonsidering bill SB1126 in the 2020 session for the next step towards the legalization of casinos. If passed and if residents approve a local casino referendum later this year, the first Virginia casino will open after 12-18 months of construction.

For details on the cities with current casino proposals, read these pages:

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia Gov Signs Casino Gambling Bill

March 26, 2019

Governor Ralph Northam signed Senate Bill 1126 into law Friday in an essential step toward authorizing casino gambling in Virginia. The bill had passed the Senate 30-10 and the House 64-33.

The new law is not the final authorization needed to build casinos. The final authorization can only be granted by voters in a November 2020 referendum ballot.

There are additional steps defined between now and the referendum that will be the responsibility of the Lottery Board. This law authorizes the Lottery Board to regulate all casino gaming and provides a framework for the Board to follow in drafting its policies, rules and procedures.

SB 1126 SUMMARY: 'Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming, penalties'

• Casino gaming will be regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board.

• Casino gaming will only operate in five cities: Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, Richmond and Norfolk.

• City residents must approve the casino by referendum.

• The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) will research casino gaming laws in other states and submit a report before December 1, 2019.

• Referenda must be held after the JLARC report and before January 1, 2021.

• After the Lottery Board drafts its gaming regulations, the 2020 Session of the General Assembly must re-enact the bill.

• The Lottery Board cannot issue casino licenses prior to July 1, 2020.

Casino Gaming, Sports Betting and Online Gambling

This law specifies the following definition of casino gaming, which implies the legalization of sports betting and online gambling.

'Casino gaming' means baccarat, blackjack, twenty-one, poker, craps, dice, slot machines, sports betting, roulette wheels, Klondike tables, punchboards, faro layouts, keno layouts, numbers tickets, push cards, jar tickets, pull tabs, online gaming, and any other activity that is authorized by the Board as a wagering game or device under Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100 et seq.).

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia General Assembly Passes Casino Bill

February 24, 2019

The General Assembly voted today to legalize casino gambling in Virginia and grant regulation authority to the Virginia Lottery Board.

The bill passed the Senate 30-10 and the House 64-33. To become law it requires the signature of the governor and a voter referendum to authorize an amendment to the state constitution.

Under the provisions of the bill the Virginia Lottery Board would develop rules and regulations for casino gambling and procedures for licensing casino applicants. The regulations must be completed and approved before June 30, 2020. Casino licenses will be issued after July 1, 2020.

The bill specifies five cities where casinos can be built: Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth and either Norfolk or Richmond. Residents must vote to approve or disapprove the casino planned for their city. Referenda must be passed before Jan. 1, 2021.

The state would tax each casino 13 to 15 percent of the annual adjusted gross revenue.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

First Virginia Casino Bill Passes Senate Committee

Danville, Bristol, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Richmond Selected for Casinos

January 21, 2019

The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted 9-3-1 to pass Senate Bill 1126, the first major step taken to legalize casinos in Virginia.

The bill allows five cities to hold referendums this fall to determine whether voter approve or disapprove of casino projects in their cities. The five cities are Danville, Bristol, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Richmond. Casino licenses would be issued beginning July 1, 2020.

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe can apply for a federally approved casino but has announced its interest in pursuing a commercial casino license with the state. '... we believe that if the Commonwealth is ready to authorize gaming, our project should be part of it,' said Robert Gray, Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief. Possible sites for the Pamunkey casino are Norfolk and Richmond.

Under the term of the Bill, the state would receive 10% of gross revenues from each licensed casino. Half would go to cities where casinos are located and the remainder would stay with the state for public school construction and the general fund.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

Virginia tribes celebrate federal recognition

October 05, 2018

On Wednesday a celebration was held by members of seven Virginia Indian tribes over the federal government granting formal recognition.

Representatives and officials from the Nation Park Service, Virginia governor's office, senate offices, and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman were in attendance.

The federal recognition allows the tribes to apply for federal services and funding.

For decades these tribes have attempted to obtain their federal recognition. They include the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Rappahannock, Pamunkey, Nansemond, Upper Mattaponi, and the Monacan tribes.

The first Virginia tribe to receive federal recognition was the Pamunkey Tribe in January 2016. The tribe has plans to develop a $700 million casino on land approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

A politician from Virginia is pushing for a Portsmouth casino

August 26, 2012

A bill has been submitted by Sen. Louise Lucas. It will be available for the next session of the General Assembly. The decision behind the new gaming bill was related to a visit to Maryland. The senator was impressed by the success of their two month old casino. Maryland earns 67 percent of the gaming revenue.

Portsmouth is the proposed area for the new casino. She believes that area would help retain casino goers from going to another state to gamble.

Currently the state is having a difficult time finding ways to raise funds for the various programs. Residents of the state are against highway tolls and raising taxes. Lucas believes that casino gaming may be a solution to help pay for education and infrastructure.

Back Full Page >Virginia Casinos Updates 2021

News Headlines Continued

2020 Election: Virginia voters approve casinos in four citiesNovember 5, 2020 - Local voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth approved local referendums to build casinos in their respective cities. Votes were 2 to 1 in favor of these casinos.... Read more 2020 Election: Norfolk voters approve Pamunkey Tribe casino planNovember 6, 2020 - On Tuesday the voters in Norfolk approved a plan by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a $500M resort & casino on the Elizabeth River waterfront near Harbor Park.... Read more 2020 Election: Danville voters approve Caesars Virginia casino planNovember 5, 2020 - The proposed $400M Caesars Virginia was approved by Danville voters this week. The project includes a casino, a 2,500-seat entertainment venue and a 300-room hotel.... Read more 2020 Election: Portsmouth voters approve Rivers Casino planNovember 5, 2020 - The $300M Rivers Casino Portsmouth was approved by Portsmouth voters this week. The project includes a casino, a 3,000-seat entertainment venue and a hotel. The location is... Read more2020 Election: Hard Rock Casino in Bristol, VA is approved by votersNovember 4, 2020 - Voters in Bristol, Virginia yesterday approved a ballot referendum to build a $400 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at the former Bristol Mall. The vote was 71% in favor.... Read more Hard Rock Bristol plans temporary casino during main constructionNovember 2, 2020 - If the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino planned for Bristol, Virginia is approved by voters tomorrow, Hard Rock will build a temporary casino to operate until construction is finished on... Read more Hard Rock Bristol forecasts employment opportunitiesOctober 22, 2020 - As the Nov. 3 election approaches, a job information event supporting the proposed Hard Rock Casino in Bristol was held by executives of Hard Rock International and Bristol's Chamber... Read more Pamunkey Tribe selects development team for Norfolk casinoOctober 21, 2020 - Last week the Pamunkey Tribe announced the hiring of a two-company development team for their proposed Norfolk Resort Casino. HKS Architects designed AT&T Stadium Dallas... Read more Pamunkey Tribe makes final push for Norfolk casinoOctober 20, 2020 - As the Nov. 3 election nears the Pamunkey Indian Tribe is making a final push for voter approval to build a casino near Harbor Park. The casino is supported by the Yes Norfolk Committee... Read more Bristol Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Preview VideoSeptember 22, 2020 - Developers of the planned Bristol Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol, Virginia discuss the features and amenities designed for the property.... Read more Bristol Hard Rock Hotel & Casino unveils new 3D modelSeptember 22, 2020 - A 3D model of the planned Hard Rock Bristol Hotel and Casino in Bristol went on public display last Thursday at the former Bristol Mall. The model shows the casino, entertainment venue... Read more TV ads seeks voter support for Hard Rock BristolSeptember 11, 2020 - The 'Vote Yes For Bristol' campaign launched its first TV ads this week in a major effort to win voter approval in the Nov. 3 election to build the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol, Virginia.... Read moreNorfolk Resort Casino voter campaign is launchedSeptember 7, 2020 - The 'All In Norfolk' campaign to gather voter support for the Norfolk Resort Casino is officially underway. The Norfolk casino requires voter approval in the Nov. 3, 2020 election for construction... Read more Hard Rock Casino Bristol receives local business supportSeptember 6, 2020 - A coalition of Bristol businesses has announced support for the Hard Rock Casino project and the 'Vote Yes For Bristol' ballot referendum. The coalition is named 'Small Businesses for Bristol'... Read moreHard Rock Bristol Nov 3 election ballot updateJuly 21, 2020 - The Bristol City Council unanimously approved a resolution last week seeking to add a voter referendum on the Hard Rock Casino plan for Bristol on the ballot for the upcoming Nov 3 general election.... Read moreHard Rock Bristol plan is pre-certified by VA Lottery BoardJuly 17, 2020 - The Virginia Lottery Board has OK'd plans for the proposed Hard Rock Casino in Bristol. The board's action paves the way for a Nov 3 ballot referendum to allow Bristol residents to approve... Read more Hard Rock Bristol will build a temporary casinoJuly 4, 2020 - Hard Rock Bristol will apply for a gaming license to operate a temporary casino inside the former Bristol Mall adjacent to the future site of the permanent Hard Rock Casino Bristol.... Read more Hard Rock Casino Bristol is approved by City CouncilMay 26, 2020 - The City Council of Bristol, Virginia voted 5-0 to approve the casino proposal from Hard Rock International. Next steps are approval by the Virginia Lottery Board followed by voter approval on... Read moreVA Govenor amends and returns casino bill to legislatureApril 12, 2020 - Gov. Northam supports gambling in Virginia, however, he did not sign the gaming bill sent to him by the legislature. Instead he amended and returned it to the legislature to reconsider.... Read moreVirginia moves to legalize casinos, sports bettingMarch 13, 2020 - This week the Virginia General Assembly gave its final approvals to a major expansion in state gambling by passing bills to legalize sports betting and build casinos in Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth,... Read morePamunkey Indian Tribe proposes $350M Richmond casino resortJanuary 23, 2020 - The Pamunkey tribe have announced plans to build a $350 million Indian gaming casino in South Richmond. The project includes a 275-room hotel, spa, pool and fitness center... Read morePamunkey tribe and Norfolk sign casino agreementsJanuary 16, 2020 - The Pamunkey Tribe and the City of Norfolk signed two agreements advance the tribe's plan to build a $700 million casino on the Elizabeth River.... Read moreVirginia governor remains noncommittal on casino legislationJanuary 17, 2020 - Gov. Ralph Northam has stated he is open to the idea of casino legalization, but has not taken a position on Bill SB1126 which will be debated and amended in this year's legislature... Read moreCherokee propose casino in southwestern VirginiaJanuary 15, 2020 - The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) last week announced plans for building a casino, hotel, indoor water park and outdoor concert venue on a 350-acre tract known as The Pinnacle.... Read more2020 Preview: Virginia Casino Legalization?January 7, 2020 - Casinos are prohibited in Virginia, however legislation passed last year may open the door to legalization of casinos. A study shows casino gambling will add 5,000 jobs and $260M in state taxes... Read more Virginia Casino News Archive ...

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Playing Free Video Poker At Legal Online Casinos

When you want to play video poker for free at a legal online casino, you have a variety of options. There are tons of variations of poker, and you can find almost all of them in an online version so you can play from home. With the advent of free poker games, anyone who is over 21-years-old and in the United States can enjoy a game of poker whenever they feel like it.

Do Legal Online Casinos Offer Free Video Poker Games?

As more states legalize online casinos, having access to online video poker is becoming easier than ever. While most of these casinos offer real money games, there are also demo and practice modes where you can play without spending a single dime. Everyone can play free online slots, even those in states where online gambling is not yet legal.

The best option for choosing a reputable site for video poker is by looking at large brands you have heard of in the past. The websites that operate in partnership with physical casinos are an excellent place to start since they need to adhere to specific rules and regulations.

Do I Need An Account To Play Free Video Poker Games Online?

It depends on where you want to play. In some cases, you can play by just navigating to the site and clicking on a game. However, there are other instances where you must register to access the catalog of games at a poker site. If you prefer a quick and easy poker game, you’ll want to look for sites without registration.

Keep in mind that sites with registration may offer perks to those who become members, which can make signing up feel like less effort. When it comes to real money video poker sites, you must sign up to be a member just to play the practice games. If your privacy is important to you, you may have to use other websites for your video poker.

Is There Any Way To Win Real Money Playing Free Video Poker?

In most cases, the sites that have free video poker do not offer cash payments. Instead, you will typically be racking up virtual currency that cannot be turned into money. Free games are usually used by players who just want to have a good time or who want to practice outside of paid games to become better at a particular type of poker.

However, there are some exceptions in terms of free sites that offer real money. Most of them are going to be found in sweepstakes video poker sites, which we’ll look at in more depth below.

Best Online Video Poker For Real Money

Best New Jeresy Online Casino

on Golden Nuggets' Website

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Golden Nugget is the very best online casino in New Jersey. It offers live dealer casino games and has over 1,000 casino games. Golden Nugget has an amazing assortment of online slots with many of the same titles as you would find in las Vegas.

Best Pennsylvania Online Casino

on DraftKings Casino's Website

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States Accepted Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia

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DraftKings Casino is one of the fastest-growing online casinos in the United States. DraftKings Casino has live dealer games along with many of your favorite casino games including online slots, blackjack, roulette, and more!

Best West Virginia Online Casino

on BetMGM Casino's Website

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BetMGM casino is brought to you by the same company that operates MGM casinos across the United States including Las Vegas. BetMGM offers over 100 casino games including slots, blackjack, roulette, and more! All of your Las Vegas favorites are there.

Playing Las Vegas-Style Video Poker Online For Free

If you’re searching for legal online casinos in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that have Vegas-style video poker, you have plenty of options. Both of the states have a wide variety of casinos that offer video poker and many of the games are based on Vegas poker options. Three of our options for playing video poker online in these states are listed below for your convenience.

BetRivers Casino is partnered with the land-based Rivers Pittsburgh Casino and offers a selection of video poker options. Users can log in to play practice games or deposit money to play for cash if they are located in Pennsylvania. In addition to providing video poker, this casino also has hundreds of slot games, as well as table games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.

Hollywood Casino is another online legal casino in Pennsylvania that provides the option to play poker. This was the first online casino to launch in the state and it partnered with IGT to power the gaming options on the website and apps. This casino also offers dozens of slot games, roulette games, blackjack, baccarat, and more.

Those who are looking for New Jersey video poker will find it in various locations, including BetMGM. There are many variations of poker at this provider, including Regal Jacks or Better, Triple Play Draw Multi-Hand Poker, Bonus Poker, Texas Hold’em, and more. It also offers a variety of slot games and table games that you can peruse.

Playing Video Poker For Real Money Online

For those who want to spend money playing poker, there are several options available. However, this is only the case in states where you can legally gamble online. If you are not in one of those locations, real money gambling on video poker is not allowed. While more states are slowly allowing online real money poker, it’s a good idea to know what the rules are for your specific location.

States With Legal Online Video Poker

Before we delve into other specifics, knowing where online video poker is legal is essential. It might be surprising to learn that some states allow online poker but don’t allow online table games and slots, while others go in the opposite direction. Since it can be confusing to determine what states allow legal online video poker, we have provided a list of legal states below:

• Delaware

If you don’t see your state listed above, playing video poker for real money is not allowed in your state. There are two alternatives available to you if you want to enjoy video poker. The first is to choose a free online site that has poker available and the second is to use a sweepstakes gaming site like Chumba Casino.

How Many Different Video Poker Games Are Available?

Counting up all the different video poker games would leave you with a number that might be mind-boggling. Many types of poker have been introduced in an online version that you can play on your own without other players. In fact, if it’s available in a land-based casino, you can likely find it in a video poker option.

However, different websites and apps are going to have different games, so finding one that has your favorite type might take time if it’s a lesser-known variation. Those who are fans of games like Jacks or Better, on the other hand, will find this kind of poker on nearly any site that includes poker.

What Are The Smallest Stakes You Can Play Online?

This is another question that will depend on the provider you use for your video poker. However, what you should know is that video poker typically requires bets that are much smaller than traditional poker in a physical casino. While some of these poker games have high payouts, they don’t always require you to empty your wallet to try to win.

Because these games have lower stakes than a typical poker table, they make an excellent option for those who are just learning to play. They also feature the opportunity to get better for those with some level of experience without spending too much. Once someone is happy with the progress that they’ve made with video poker, they can try live games or traditional poker with more confidence in their performance.

Fundamentals Of Video Poker Strategy

Just like other forms of poker, video poker has many different strategies that players employ to ensure they win more from their hands. Different people enjoy different techniques, so there are many to choose from. Having a basic strategy you can use will help you do better at video poker, whether you are just beginning with the game or have been at it for many years.

Video Poker Strategy Basics

While games like slots rely only on luck, poker is a casino staple where the players have a lot of impact on how the game ends. Since you have more choices in terms of what cards you keep, which you discard, and what hand you play at the end, you can learn to play a hand that is the most beneficial and likely to result in a big payoff. However, a lot of players continue to rely only on play streaks or hunches to decide how to play a game.

The strategies that can help you win are based on math, which is excellent for anyone who has excelled at this subject in the past. Some approaches focus on getting royal flushes as often as possible, which is the best hand you can have in most poker games. Others are going to have a focus on winning every hand, even if it’s by a small amount through a hand that has less optimal cards.

Video Poker Strategy Charts

Those who are interested in serious strategy in video poker may choose to use a video poker strategy chart to do so. These charts will show that cards you can have to get the most significant return on the match. Below the best return, it will show the next best and continue in this way until you should discard an entire hand rather than saving any of it.

For example, when playing Jacks or Better, the chart would show a royal flush on top, followed by a straight flush, four cards of a royal flush, a full house, and so on. If you’re looking to improve your ability to play poker, taking a look at strategy charts can put you on top of your game.

Video Poker: The Five Minute Guide

No matter what kind of poker you like, you’ll find it in an online video poker version. This kind of poker involves one player against a computer dealer, rather than having several players at a table who are competing against each other. While the most common poker variations are Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, you can also find a selection of different games to play.

Basic Rules Of Video Poker

Since there are dozens of video poker variations, going through the rules of each one would require a long article all of its own. However, since Jacks or Better is one of the most popular options, we’ll use that as an example to explain the rules of video poker.

The basic idea behind this kind of video poker is to acquire a five-card poker hand with a winning combination. The lowest winning combination is a pair of Jacks. Other combinations that can win a hand include the following:

• Two Pair – Two card pairs that have the same number or symbol
• Three of a Kind – Three cards with the same symbol or number
• Straight – Five cards that make up a sequential order of numbers
• Flush – Five cards that have the same suit
• Full House – A pair along with a three of a kind
• Four of a Kind – Four cards with the same symbol or number
• Straight Flush – Five cards of the same suit that are in sequential order

The Royal Flush is the best hand you can get and consists of cards of the same suit that go from 10 to Ace. The idea behind the game is to get the best hand possible to earn the most points. You are dealt cards and choose which to discard before being dealt more to make up your final hand.

Common Video Poker Variations

We already mentioned that Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better are two variations of video poker, but there are dozens of others. Aces and Eights is another version where you get additional coins or money for having Aces or Eights in your hands. Double Bonus is a video poker game where you get massive bonuses for four of a kind hands. Some of the other games you will commonly see include:

• Bonus Deuces Wild
• Deuces and Joker
• Double Double Bonus
• Jokers Wild
• Tens or Better

The House Edge In Video Poker

One of the reasons that so many people enjoy video poker is because the house typically has an exceedingly small edge. While a slot machine might return only 70 to 90 percent of what you spend on it, video poker at an online casino is more likely to offer a return of 95 to 99 percent. This means that playing video poker is going to be better for your wallet than many other online casino games.

However, keep in mind that different casinos have different odds and may have a unique house edge. This is also an excellent reason to choose a reputable site or app that lets you know what you’re getting into when you sit down to play a game.

Free Video Poker Online Play FAQ

Yes. Some websites that offer free video poker will allow you to play without making an account. However, other websites and apps may require you to register before you take part in games. In most cases, if you do register, you will get some kind of reward for doing so. If you prefer to play without registration, make sure that’s an option at the site you are visiting first.

Yes. With sweepstakes video poker sites, you can often win real money or other premium prizes even though you are playing for free. At websites like Chumba Casino, you can earn coins that may be turned into real money for playing particular games, taking advantage of promotions, or making deposits to play additional games.

Yes. One of the best ways to get better at video poker is by playing free games. You can enjoy learning all the best strategies without worrying that you’re going to break the bank. Since these games are often the same as real money poker, you can take the knowledge you gain and use it to win cash once you’re happy with how you are playing.

Virginia Poker Laws

No. Most of the free video poker games online do not require a flash player, although there are some exceptions. If you aren’t interested in a flash player, you will have no issues finding games that don’t require it. However, having one available may make your options more robust if you want to play a specific game or use a particular website.