Virginia is known as the state for lovers. In fact, there is a tagline, “Virginia is for Lovers,” that goes with the state’s advertisement regarding tourism. Unfortunately, licensed sportsbooks are altering the tagline to “Virginia is for Bettors,” something that Senator Tommy Norment feels is too much.
Official sports betting officially kicked off later last year following the approval of the 2020 bill that authorized sports betting in Virginia. This allowed several famed sportsbooks to enter the state. Some of these, including DraftKings, have stolen the state’s famed motto, Virginia is for lovers, and manipulated it for sports betting advertisements.
According to Senator Tommy Norment, sportsbooks should not be allowed to use the state motto in such a reprehensible manner. Tommy was one of the senators supporting legalizing sports betting. However, he draws the line when it comes to altering one of the state’s mottos to fit sportsbooks adverts.
Norment first heard an advertisement using the altered phrase while driving. This was followed by him introducing a bill that would prohibit sportsbooks from using the ‘Virginia is for Bettors’ line in their advertisements.
Fortunately, all other senators were in favor. The bill quickly passed in the upper chamber. Bill 96 also unanimously passed 40-0 earlier last week in the Senate.
Try Another Phrase
Virginia is not the only state using a famed tagline. In Las Vegas, Nevada, people use the iconic ‘What Happens Here, Stays Here.’ This line has marketed Sin City as the tourism destination where people can live their wildest dreams and leave them behind.
Virginia uses ‘Virginia is for Bettors’ as its tourism and travel slogan. The tagline was voted the most iconic ad in the past 50 years in 2012 by the Advertising Age.
Norment was hugely disturbed by the gambling advertisement used by sportsbooks. He said that he was annoyed, especially because it took a lifetime for the state to market Virginia as an ideal destination for lovers.
Bill 96 will stop sportsbooks using the ‘Virginia is for bettors’ line in advertisements. The bill awaits approval from the House and signature by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Those violating the law would be charged a $50k fine.
Initially, Norment had created a bill that prohibited sportsbooks from using ‘Virginia’ in sports gambling advertisements. However, this received a stern response from almost everyone. He had to restructure the bill to prohibit sportsbooks or anyone from using the state motto, which was quickly embraced.
It seems that everyone is in support of the new bill. During the General Laws and Technology Committee, no gaming group or sportsbook opposed bill 96.
Virginia Is for Lovers
The Martin Agency is the creative advertising group behind Virginia is for lovers. David Martin and George Woltz were the advertising executives responsible for the historic adage. Fortunately, the Martin Agency is still operational today.
Initially, the advertisement was specific depending on the tourism site being advertised. The state used Virginia is for Mountain Lovers, Virginia is for Beach Lovers, and Virginia is for History Lovers, among several other lines. Later, the state dropped the lines and stuck with Virginia for Lovers.
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