Virginia panel in phone-bet talks

Regulators in Virginia met with representatives of account-wagering companies on Wednesday to discuss rule changes that would enable the companies to get licensed in the state, according to Stan Bowker, the executive director of the Virginia Racing Commission.

Commission members met for three hours with representatives of Television Games Network, AmericaTab, Youbet.com, and XpressBet, Bowker said. All four companies have applied for an account-wagering license in the state, but have been unable to reach an agreement with Colonial Downs, the only racetrack in Virginia. Under the current state law, only a racetrack can take in-home wagers.

Colonial Downs received a license to take in-home wagers earlier this year, the only license so far awarded.