A mail-in option for physical sports betting tickets is crucial for the industry and the host state’s market. A mail-in option provides an additional redemption option for sports bettors, and encourages bettors to place additional wagers without having to be present to cash their wagers. Many sports bettors take a yearly trip to Las Vegas to place futures wagers. Without a mail-in option in Virginia, those sports bettors will be less inclined to place wagers in person which leads to fewer trips to Virginia casinos and hotels.

Mail-in redemption is authorized in the three states with the highest grossing sports wagering revenue: New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The three regulations authorizing mail-in redemption are listed below:

New Jersey

N.J.A.C. 13:69N-1.9(g)(3):

(g) all tickets generated by a cashier or at a kiosk shall include the following:

3. Method of redeeming winning ticket via mail.

Nevada

Regulation 22.080(3)

3. Books  shall  honor  winning  betting  tickets for  30  days  after  the  conclusion  of  the  event  wagered upon unless a longer period is established by the book. The book shall state the redemption period on each betting ticket, in house rules and on notices conspicuously placed about the licensed premises. Payment by  mail  may  be  made  only  after  presentment  of  the  betting  ticket and  all  identification  information  and documentation required by state or federal law, and must be made not later than 10 days after presentment. A book may accept a photocopy of a driver license or passport in lieu of an actual driver license or passport when  presentment  of  the  betting  ticket  is  made  by  mail.

Pennsylvania

58 Pa. Code § 1407.6(a)(3)

(a) All tickets/vouchers generated by a self-service kiosk or by a point of sale system shall include the following general information: (3) Method of redeeming a winning ticket/voucher via mail.

Therefore, we propose Virginia adopt a regulation for a mail-in redemption option:

11VAC5-70-260. House Rules.

H. House rules shall include the procedure for redeeming a winning sports wager via physical mail. Mail-in redemption can be exercised up to one (1) year from the settlement date of the wager. The permit holder may accept a photocopy of a drivers license or passport when presentment of the betting ticket is made by mail.