Louise Lucas is a senator in the state of Virginia who has worked for many years to see casino gaming come to the state. Time after time, Lucas’ efforts have failed. However, this past Monday saw a measure introduced by Lucas move forward. The Senate General Laws Committee held a hearing on Monday in which the Senate Bill 1400 was approved. This bill will allow organizations that currently provide bingo games to also offer poker gaming.

The bill was moved through the committee with a close vote of 8-7. The poker bill was approved thanks to Senator William R. DeSteph Jr. joining her side in the matter. Additional Senators approved the bill including George Barker, Marnie Locke, Jennifer Wexton, Adam Ebbin, Monty Mason and Jeremy McPike.

There is still a long way to go for the SB 1400 to move forward. Even if the full Senate moves the measure through the bill will still have to be approved by the House of Delegates, a group that tends to not be in favor of gambling.

On the negative side, Lucas also saw bills lose out on passage. She tried to see a casino gambling bill passed in the committee but lost 7-8, the opposite vote of SB 1400. The bill that failed would have seen Virginia open a casino for the very first time.

Lucas tried her best to gain approval for the bill talking with Senate members about how $10 million in revenues could be earned if a gaming venue was placed in her home city of Portsmouth. The state is reportedly losing out on revenues that are going to Maryland, especially after MGM National Harbor opened last December. Gamblers are leaving by the busload to enjoy the casino gaming options that are provided in the neighboring state.

The victory by Lucas may be small but it should help the state to hopefully move forward in regards to casino gaming.