Virginia Gov. wants to add NASCAR teams as potential sports betting licensees

On March 8, Virginia’s legislature passed a bill paving the way for legal sports betting throughout the state. The bill allows both mobile and in-person betting and is still awaiting the signature of Gov. Ralph Northam before becoming law.

However, according to a report from LegalSportsReport.com, Northam has made several recommendations for the bill that will be discussed when the legislature reconvenes on April 22. Among the governor’s suggestions is adding NASCAR to the list of other professional sports leagues, such as the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, allowing teams in each of these leagues to acquire their own sports betting licenses. The current bill does not permit wagering on Virginia’s college sports teams.

From a NASCAR perspective, this means that racetracks within the state can offer legal sports betting themselves, including mobile wagering. While the current schedule is still in flux due to the COVID-19 outbreak and indefinite postponement of racing, NASCAR’s Cup, XFINITY and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series each visit Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway, both located in Virginia.

Northam on Saturday also proposed a policy amendment to legislation that would allow casinos by referendum in Virginia, sending the matter back to the General Assembly. He wants to assign the state’s portion of new tax monies on gaming revenues to fund public school construction needs statewide.