Public Comments for: HB729 - Casino gaming; marketing or advertising to persons younger than 21 years of age prohibited, penalty.
Last Name: Rowland Organization: Self Locality: Chesapeake

The Norfolk Admirals currently sell youth jerseys that display a Rivers Casino patch on the front. This effectively advertises and markets gambling to children. The Commonwealth already recognizes the importance of protecting minors by regulating alcohol advertising through the ABC and by restricting marketing practices in the cannabis industry. Gambling should be treated with the same level of care and responsibility. Allowing casinos to place their branding on youth merchandise sends the wrong message and normalizes gambling at an early age. I believe the Commonwealth should regulate the gaming industry to prohibit casino advertising on products intended for children, just as we do with other age-restricted industries. We should not allow casinos to promote gambling to our youth.

End of Comments