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A bill that requires a formal study on casinos in Virginia for presentment in 2020 to the General Assembly passed the Senate Monday afternoon by a 28-12 vote following a lengthy debate on the subject.

Senate Bill 1126 co-sponsor Bill Carrico said the legislation puts the choice in the hands of the people with a referendum vote and would rather have Bristol residents make the decision on the issue through a referendum instead of having the decree come down from Richmond on such a controversial topic.

Carrico also touched on the timing of the bill's proceedings noting developers are already putting items in place to construct a casino just miles away from the Wise County border in Jenkins, Kentucky.

Sen. Scott Surowell of Fairfax, speaking in favor of the measure, said he was tired of watching millions of dollars go across the bridge into Maryland to a neighboring MGM Grand casino that he said collected $196 million just last quarter.

The bill now moves over to the House of Delegates for consideration in this short session. The vote comes a week after lawmakers in committee moved to recommend the issue be effectively tabled for a year while the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission examines the subject of casinos in the Commonwealth.