11 VAC 5-80-10 Definitions

“Sports betting” means placing wagers on professional sports, college sports, sporting events, and any portion thereof, and includes placing wagers related to the individual performance statistics of athletes in such sports and events. “Sports betting” includes any system or method of wagering approved by the Director. “Sports betting” does not include placing a wager on a college sports event in which a Virginia public or private institution of higher education is a participant, nor does “sports betting” include placing a wager on sports events organized by the International Olympic Committee.

Comment: So as not to frustrate the oversight of the Virginia Racing Commission, we ask that wagers on horse racing be prohibited, regardless of the system or method of wagering. In addition, we echo the comments of others that “sports betting” should include sports events organized by the International Olympic Committee, and that the modifier of “and other events” be included in the definition of “sports betting” so as to give the Director the flexibility in the future to allow permit holders to offer and accept wagers on quasi-sporting events like the Heisman Memorial Trophy and non-sporting events like the Academy Awards.

In addition, we request the Department maintain a master catalog of approved events, propositions, and systems/methods of wagering similar to that of the Colorado Division of Gaming, or, in the alternative, allow each permit holder to determine its own catalog in the same manner licensees in Nevada do and without the need for the permit holder obtaining prior approval from the Department to offer events that are not otherwise expressly prohibited by regulation (11VAC5-70-170. Permissible Wagers makes no mention of a catalog).