In April 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that allowed for the construction of commercial casinos in select cities. Lawmakers in the state of Virginia made attempts to ensure that sports wagering (as well as some aspects of casino gaming) were approved, however the process eventually stalled. This form of betting was considered a significant departure from traditional gambling restrictions. In the 1990s, Virginia introduced 'historical horse racing' machines, which allowed bettors to wager on previously run horse races without knowing the outcomes.