Virginia Lottery Reappoints Former Executive Director to Navigate Critical Transition
Posted on: June 4, 2026, 02:36h.
Last updated on: June 4, 2026, 02:36h.
- Kevin Hall is back at the helm of the Virginia Lottery Board
- Hall returns after a four-year absence in the private sector
- Gov. Spanberger wants to transition some of the lottery’s regulatory duties to a new gaming commission
The Virginia Lottery is once again under the reigns of Kevin Hall.
After four years away in the private sector, Hall returns to the Virginia Lottery to lead the gaming regulatory agency at a critical juncture. Hall, who served as executive director of the Virginia Lottery from 2018 to 2022, was reappointed to the role by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).
I’m lucky to get another chance to lead this talented team. It feels less like a comeback and more like an opportunity to build on the good work we did together when I first served as the lottery’s executive director,” Hall wrote on LinkedIn.
“Serving as executive director was the most meaningful and rewarding work of my career, and it’s a privilege to return to a job I genuinely love,” Hall said in a formal press release.
Spanberger Seeks Dedicated Gaming Commission
Hall’s previous tenure also came at a critical point in the Virginia Lottery Board’s history.
In 2020, Virginia lawmakers passed legislation authorizing five brick-and-mortar casinos. The state additionally greenlit sports betting and iLottery, or online slot-like lottery games operated through the Virginia Lottery. The vast expansion of gaming all fell under the regulatory scope of the Virginia Lottery Board.
Spanberger has told lawmakers in Richmond that she won’t support additional gaming unless the state first passes funding to form a dedicated gaming commission.
In most states where casinos and lotteries operate, the lottery is regulated separately from casinos. In Pennsylvania, for instance, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees casino gambling, while the Pennsylvania Lottery oversees the lottery.
However, there are outliers to the traditional regulatory separation of lottery and casino, including in neighboring Maryland. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission governs both casino gambling and the lottery.
Spanberger vetoed bills earlier this year to authorize a sixth casino and regulate slot-like skill games. The governor cited a need for the central gaming commission.
“The absence of a centralized regulatory authority for gaming creates gaps in oversight that threaten the Commonwealth of Virginia’s ability to provide consistent enforcement, prevent illicit activity, and protect all consumers,” Spanberger said in her skill game veto.
“Right now, legalizing skill gaming and introducing more of these machines into our communities would strain an already fragmented system,” the governor declared.
Will Virginia Lottery Obligations Shift?
Hall served as executive director of the Virginia Lottery under Gov. Ralph Northam (D). He replaces Khalid Jones, who resigned last month to become CEO of Allwyn North America, an operator and supplier of lottery products and services.
Hall is expected to work with the Spanberger administration to determine the best path forward to properly regulate gaming in the commonwealth.
“The lottery has been incredibly successful for almost 40 years, but we can’t stand still. The gaming landscape is continuously evolving, and our job is to make sure the lottery remains innovative, responsible, and worthy of the public’s trust,” Hall said.
No comments yet