HB455: Casino gaming; sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in establishments, etc.

Legislative Summary

Casino gaming; sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in casino gaming establishments; casino employees; wagers, accounting, and games. Authorizes the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (the Board) to issue a mixed beverage casino license. The issuance of such license is limited to a mixed beverage casino licensee owned by a casino operator licensed under Virginia law. The bill provides for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption in areas designated by the Board during all hours of operation of the mixed beverage casino licensee and authorizes the licensee to provide gifts of alcoholic beverages to patrons and establish loyalty or reward credit programs under certain conditions. In addition, the bill provides that a mixed beverage restaurant licensee located on the premises of a casino gaming establishment may sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption on the licensed premises of the restaurant during all hours of operation of the mixed beverage restaurant licensee and that any alcoholic beverages purchased from a restaurant on the premises of a casino gaming establishment may be taken onto the premises of the mixed beverage casino licensee and possessed and consumed in areas of the establishment as designated by the Board. Under the bill, a mixed beverage restaurant licensee that is located on the premises of and operated by a casino gaming establishment and holds a valid mixed beverage restaurant license issued by the Board prior to July 1, 2022, is authorized to operate with the privileges of a mixed beverage casino license as created by the bill until the casino gaming establishment at which the restaurant is located is issued a mixed beverage casino license or July 1, 2023, whichever occurs first. The Board may promulgate any regulations that it deems necessary for implementing the provisions of the bill no later than October 1, 2022. The initial adoption of regulations is exempt from the Administrative Process Act, except that the Board shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the regulations prior to adoption. The bill also (i) revises the definition of "gross receipts" to include electronic credits and electronic cash and to exclude the cash value of promotions or credits under certain conditions and uncollectable counter checks; (ii) defines and authorizes the use of counter checks and prepaid access instruments; (iii) authorizes wagers to be conducted using electronic credits and electronic cash; and (iv) excludes conviction of misdemeanor possession of marijuana as a disqualifier for the issuance of a service permit by the Virginia Lottery.