Follow up: Casino gaming could create 7,600+ jobs
Published
Five proposed casinos, sports wagering and online casino gaming would directly create about 7,600 jobs, according to projections released in late November by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.
However, the five casinos combined would generate $367 million in net annual state tax revenue — less than the Virginia Lottery, which produced $606 million to support local public education in 2018. JLARC also estimated that casinos would reduce lottery proceeds by $30 million per year.
JLARC research found that building an additional casino in Northern Virginia would add 4,400 jobs and attract $311 million in gaming revenue currently spent outside Virginia.
The General Assembly is expected to vote on legislation this session that would pave the way for casinos to be built in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Richmond, Danville and Bristol.