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The National Association Against iGaming is turning up the heat in Virginia. The group says legal online casinos would increase harm and pull money from existing state programs.
In a statement dated February 4, 2026, NAAiG said it has released a new report. It also said its officials are available for interviews as lawmakers weigh whether to legalize iGaming.
NAAiG points to young-adult helpline data
NAAiG says the warning signs already show up in helpline data.
The group cited figures it attributes to VCU Health. It said calls to Virginia’s problem gambling helpline from adults aged 18 to 24 have risen 63% since 2019.
The VCU-related reporting NAAiG referenced describes that change as a shift in caller demographics. In other words, more young adults are reaching out for help.
NAAiG also said people who contacted the helpline most often pointed to online sports betting. Based on that, the group argues online casinos would push harm higher.
New Jersey used as the cautionary example
NAAiG also leaned on New Jersey to make its case.
The group pointed to a prevalence report prepared by Rutgers’ Center for Gambling Studies. That report put New Jersey’s high-risk problem gambling rate at just under 6%. It described that as about three times the national average.
The Rutgers report also found that one-third of gamblers aged 18 to 24 gambled online only. NAAiG says that trend matters because online access can increase exposure and risk.
So the group’s argument is simple. If New Jersey shows higher risk markers after years of legal online gambling, Virginia could see similar pressure if it approves iGaming.
“A casino in everyone’s pocket”
NAAiG’s Virginia release includes comments from Oliver Barie, the group’s government relations director.
“The catastrophic hit to public education funding and local jobs doesn’t even include the damage that will be done to young people from underage and problem gambling,” Barie said.
He also delivered the group’s headline line: “The legalization of iGaming will be disastrous for Virginia. The commonwealth cannot afford the devastating consequences of putting a casino in everyone’s pocket.”
Where the debate goes from here
For now, this is messaging from an advocacy group, not a decision from regulators.
Next, attention shifts to the legislature. The key question is whether lawmakers move an iGaming bill forward this session. After that comes the detail work. If a bill advances, lawmakers will have to set the rules on licensing, taxes, marketing, player protections, and funding for treatment.
NAAiG wants Virginia to slow down before any of that happens. The group is using the young-adult helpline trend as its warning sign, and it’s pushing lawmakers to treat iGaming as a public harm issue, not just a revenue debate.
Source: PR Newswire
