Casino Gaming Establishment Location Commission; created.

Virginia Lottery Board; Casino Gaming Establishment Location Commission; penalties. Authorizes casino gaming in the Commonwealth to be regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board. The bill specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. The bill establishes qualified locations for casino gaming operations, imposes a tax of 27 percent on the adjusted gross receipts of licensees, and provides for how the tax proceeds are disbursed. The bill also requires the Board to establish and implement a voluntary exclusion program and establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to support organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers. The bill creates a 14-member Casino Gaming Establishment Location Commission to evaluate and select proposals for the operation and development of casino gaming establishments and details qualifications for Commission members. Weighted criteria are established that must be considered by the Commission when evaluating proposals. The Commission sunsets on July 1, 2023. In addition, the bill provides for (i) a five-year moratorium on the authorization by the Virginia Racing Commission of any additional satellite facilities and (ii) the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Lottery Board to establish an ongoing stakeholder group to enable collaboration among problem gambling prevention and treatment providers and casino gaming operators. The bill requires the Board to promulgate emergency regulations to implement the provisions of this bill. This bill was incorporated into SB 36.