In an attempt to raise local revenues, Virginia Sen. Louise
Lucas recently pre-filed a bill, SB689, for the 2013 General Assembly session
that would establish a state commission to regulate and license casinos.[1]
The ability of localities to establish casinos with slot machines and table
games would not pertain to localities whose land mass does not include at least
40 percent of property freed from real estate taxes.
According to Virginia’s Tax Department, only Lucas’ home
district of Portsmouth and Lexington meet the criteria laid down in SB689,
according to their figures from 2010. As such, the inclusion criteria will
likely be changed to allow for other localities like Norfolk and York, who have
close to 40 percent in tax exempt land, to take advantage of the bill.
Lucas has given at least three arguments for creating the
ability for localities to establish casinos, if their governments so choose.
First, doing so would give localities more flexibility (i.e. more control) over
how they can raise revenue. Second, the potential profits stemming from local
casinos would help localities lower their real estate tax rates. Third, the
revenue streams flowing from local casinos would help bring localities like
Portsmouth “up to par” with more affluent localities.[2]
But what appears to be a win-win situation for some of
Virginia’s localities and the state has oftentimes been met with resistance
among some local government members as well as members of the Virginia General
Assembly.[3]
Whatever the reasons, it seems like the fiscal situation in
Virginia may push previously anti-casino lawmakers, or those who have been on
the fence, to rethink their positions.
Even though SB689 may not pass either chamber in 2013, SB689
should at least begin a serious discussion about the possibility for legal
casinos in Virginia and the revenues they would bring.
As long as the direct correlation between casinos and crime
remains a myth[4],
there remains no good reason why Virginia cannot open up to the establishment
of legal casinos.
[1] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/portsmouth-senator-prepares-bill-allow-casinos
[2] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/portsmouth-senator-prepares-bill-allow-casinos
[3] http://articles.dailypress.com/2011-01-31/news/dp-nws-sweepstakes-cafes-20110131_1_sweepstakes-cafes-sweepstakes-games-gambling
[4] http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Officials-Little-Crime-Associated-With-Casinos-139715243.html
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