Five Virginia senators find themselves in a difficult spot with a media publication breaking news that they have received $100,000 donations each to allegedly support a measure that has led to the legalization of online casinos in the state.
Senators Recived Funds from Pro-iGaming Parties
The news, first reported by David Poole, a political journalist named Sen. Christie Craig, Sen. Danny Diggs, Sen. Emily Jordan, Sen. Todd Pillion, and Sen. Glen Sturtevant as the recipient of six-figure sums from the Sports Betting Alliance following the 2026 legislative session.
This reporting tracks with similar accusations levelled by the National Association Against iGaming which also named the senators. All five senators have bucked the party line and ended up supporting SB 118, a bill that lays the groundwork for online casinos in Virginia.
Thanks to their votes, the bill was successfully moved forward, but was hampered later in the legislature, and was not sent to the government’s desk due to lack of reconciliation between lawmakers, and a general opposition against the measure.
It’s worth noting that both chambers had plans for iGaming legislation, but no singular bill could be agreed on, meaning that the House of Representatives did not move forward with the Senate’s bill and vice versa – HB 161 never took off in Senate.
The five senators, however, have taken heavy criticism for effectively accepting money from lobbyists to advance the interests of online casino gambling at a time of general opposition against the activity.
Virginia Has Interest in Legalizing iGaming, but No Consensus Reach
The National Association Against iGaming has openly opposed any attempts to advance iGaming legislation and reiterated its core argument that by introducing online casinos, people in Virginia would have a “casino in their pocket,” that would lead to societal harm.
The association spokesperson, Oliver Barie, had this to add: “No political contributions, no matter how eye-popping, are worth the harm that will be inflicted on Virginians by having 24-7 access to a casino in their pocket.”
Overall, the bills agreed on many aspects of what an online gambling legislation would look like, including a 20% tax as well as a $500,000 licensing fee for brick-and-mortar operators and a $2 million fee for online operators.