Virginia marks Bally’s 13th state of entrance as the company expands its national presence.
“Bally's is pleased to receive the temporary sports wagering permit from the Virginia Lottery,” said George Papanier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bally's Corporation. “This represents another step in our evolution to become the leading omnichannel gaming provider in the U.S., and we look forward to providing a first-class experience for sports fans across Virginia.”
Bally’s is the second operator to gain online sports betting market access in Virginia this week, joining Golden Nugget.
Virginia launched online sports betting on January 21 when FanDuel was given a head start in partnership with the Washington Football Team. In the last 10 days of January, Virginia sportsbooks generated $59m. The state has not yet released February figures, which will represent the first full month of sports wagering.
Bally’s is one of several operators vying for a Richmond casino-resort. Last month the company submitted its proposal to the City of Richmond for a 1.6m square foot “Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort.”
The project would cost approximately $650m and is estimated to generate approximately $415m annually in gross total revenue.
Upon submission of the proposal, Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally's Corporation's Board of Directors, said, “As a former director and the largest shareholder of Richmond-headquartered Media General, I have a strong interest in the growth, development and success of this great city.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to present this project to the City of Richmond, which will not only generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, but, more importantly, thousands of high paying jobs. The project also demonstrates Bally's deep commitments to supporting local communities, partnering with local businesses and promoting diversity.”
