Slot Machines Approved at Off Betting Parlors

In a move that surprised few, Virginia chose to expand their horse race betting by allowing slot machines at nine off track betting parlors as well as the Colonial Downs racetrack. The new bill will bring in $300 million in slot machine revenues for the state, and seems to be tied into a transportation package that the Senate approved yesterday as well.

Supposedly the plan is that the money from the slot machines will replace the money that comes from the general fund for transportation. However, the bill was rejected by a House committee on Tuesday. By offering more money to the nine off track betting parlors it seemed to pick up more votes for its approval.

There would also be money from the slot machine revenue kept aside for other purposes such as promoting tourism in Virginia. The Virginia Association of Independent Baptists are upset with the bill as it keeps referring to the machines as video machines, and they say that it is the same as allowing slot machines to be legalized at these locations. The game is about older simulcast racing, and people can place bets anywhere from a nickel to five dollars.

Back to Monthly Archive // Main Slot Machine News Index