Virginia has vastly expanded gambling over the past few years, and another new form, iGaming, was debated at a committee hearing in Richmond Tuesday morning.

Virginia’s shift to online gambling has been dramatic — and has led to significantly more money flowing to state coffers. But offshore betting websites — unregulated, illegal and untaxed — are on the rise and competing for gamblers’ dollars.

While offshore gambling sites often claim to be safe and reputable, the truth is frequently the opposite. Beyond costing the industry billions, they also pose significant risks to players due to their questionable practices and lack of regulation.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, Raoul predicted iCasinos would be among the next wave of expansion in a state that already is one of the nation’s largest gaming markets.

The benefits of a regulated marketplace are clear. Regulated iGaming platforms are required to block access for customers below the legal gaming age and use state-of-the-art technology to verify each player’s identity.