Virgin Islands Moves Toward Modern Online Gaming Laws
ST. CROIX — Following more than twenty years of dormancy regarding internet gaming regulations, the Virgin Islands is now taking substantial steps to establish a contemporary, regulated online gaming framework, prominently featuring sports betting.
Stakeholders including members of the VI Casino Control Commission, international gaming experts, economic analysts, and local senators convened at the Carambola Beach Resort for an internet gaming summit on Thursday. The summit aimed to address long-awaited revisions that could signal a new phase for legalized gambling in the territory.
This assembly aligns with a national shift initiated by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which opened the door for states and territories to legalize and regulate sports betting.
Since this landmark ruling, 39 states, along with Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, have explored various forms of legal sports betting, with 32 of them adopting mobile and online betting platforms.
Despite the law permitting casinos in St. Croix since 1995, the amendment allowing internet gambling was only ratified in 2001. Recognizing the obsolescence of existing statutes, the Commission collaborated with Gaming Laboratories International to overhaul the legal framework. After initial delays, significant advancements began in early 2024, a long-awaited initiative for CCC Chair Marvin Pickering.
During the summit, Pickering highlighted the economic potential of including sports betting in the updates, noting that it could contribute billions to the territory’s economy. He remarked, “The U.S. Virgin Islands has yet to engage in this lucrative phase and is missing out on potential economic benefits.” The Commission aims to create a modern, responsible framework to enable participation in the 21st-century digital economy.
Moving forward, public input will be sought, and amendments will be submitted to the Legislature to refresh the internet gaming laws. Once approved, the setup for the necessary infrastructure will commence, allowing residents to eventually place bets with their mobile devices, according to Pickering.
