RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Most sports gambling is done online or in places like Las Vegas, however, Virginia State Senator Chap Peterson, who represents District 34, told 8News that he believes sports betting will expand nationwide in five years, including in Virginia. 

At the moment, seven states have legalized sports gambling. West Virginia is the closest state to Virginia that has legalized sports betting. 

With the help of Senator Peterson and Delegate Mark Sickles, Virginia could join the list.

Sickles, who represents the 43rd District, has proposed a bill where sports betting would fall under the Virginia lottery, taxing revenue at 15 percent.  

Peterson plans to introduce a bill that would put gambling revenue toward helping residents, with tax revenue spread across communities. 

"I think we can capture revenue from it in order to improve a discrete specified state agency, in this case, it would be the community college system," Sen. Peterson told 8News over the phone.   

In both plans, gambling would only apply to professional sports. 

"There may be some limited exceptions such as March Madness or something like that where you already have a tremendous amount of betting interest," Peterson continued, "but by and large, we'll stay away from amateur sports and focus on professional sports."

The general assembly plans to meet next year to discuss sports gambling.

https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/could-virginia-legalize-sports-gambling-/1612056914