Anti-iGaming Group Warns Virginia Lawmakers About Online Casino Risks

A national organization dedicated to opposing online gambling expansion is raising alarms about proposed iGaming legislation in Virginia, citing potential damage to public education funding, local employment, and community well-being.

The National Association Against iGaming released a new report highlighting what it describes as the devastating impact online casino legalization could have on the state. Central to the argument is data showing that calls to Virginia's problem gambling helpline from young adults aged 18-24 have increased by 63% since 2019.

The organization points to online sports betting as the most commonly cited form of gambling among those seeking help, suggesting that the introduction of online casinos would amplify existing problems. It also references a study showing that problem gambling rates in New Jersey tripled relative to the national average after a decade of legal online gambling.

On the economic front, the group cites research estimating that online casino legalization would result in a $220 million annual loss in public education funding due to cannibalization of the state lottery. The same analysis projects approximately 2,300 job losses as online gambling draws customers away from brick-and-mortar casinos, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

The organization's Government Relations Director warned that the consequences extend beyond gambling harm, characterizing the potential impact on local businesses and communities as catastrophic. Virginia lawmakers are expected to debate the issue during the current legislative session.

Supporters of legalization counter that regulated online casinos would generate new tax revenue and provide better consumer protections than the existing black market.