RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ7) A State Senate committee has approved legislation that would allow casinos in Virginia.

The vote in the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology was 9 to 3.

The amended bill calls for a gambling study, but it would also allow Bristol, Danville and three other cities to move forward with local referendums.

The legislation would not allow casinos to open in the state before 2020.

The legislation now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.

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