The Virginia Senate General Laws and Technology Committee have advanced several iGaming laws in the state, meaning legal online casino gambling in the state has moved one step closer.
Senator Mamie Locke, who proposed Bill 118, had seen the gaming committee vote down the Bill just last week with Senator Jeremy McPike saying he wanted "legislation that really ups the game in terms of problem gaming".
As a result, the amended bill has adopted statutory responsible gaming requirements that McPike now says is: "More prescriptive in the statute – probably more than any other state in the United States at this point."
About SB 118
SB 118, which aims to legalize online casinos, wasn't the only Bill to progress. The Bill is tied to proposals SB 195 and SB 558 that aim to create a Virginia Gaming Commission - the legalization of iGaming in the state would not begin until that Commission is fully established. Currently, Virginia's gambling industries are regulated by three separate agencies.
The new proposal requires the regulator to develop a range of programmes and protections of players, including the need to have advertising guidelines and identification requirements when players sign-up to a site.
These include the following three requirements:
- Use of player data and technology to identify potential problem gamblers
- Automated triggers that are tied to player behavior
- Defined levels of intervention and education for identified players who are 'at-risk'
Virginia Gaming Commission plans
Virginia has proposed taxing operator revenue at 15%, with 5% proposed to go to the Problem Gambling and Treatment Support Fund and a further 6% of that to the Internet Gaming Hold Harmless Fund.
It was recently revealed that the establishment of a regulatory agency for iGaming would be a priority for this year. Judging by the fact both bills have been passed so early in 2026, that certainly seems to be the case.
"The creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission is not about building more bureaucracy, it's about promoting smarter government.", said Delegate Paul Krizek, who is sponsoring a House version of the regulatory proposal, said earlier this year.
"A unified commission would streamline oversight by bringing all gaming under one roof, with consistent standards and enforcement. It would strengthen consumer confidence by ensuring transparency and fairness across all gaming platforms.
"The creation of the VGC will support economic opportunity in the commonwealth by establishing clear rules that help small businesses, labour unions, women and minority-owned firms and local workers to compete on a level playing field."
SB 118 will now move to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee where the Bill's budget and revenue implications will be properly examined.
However, this isn't the only bill looking to amend iGaming in Virginia. The House Bill 161, which aims to legalize internet gaming under the Virginia Lottery Board, has not yet received a committee hearing. Either way, it's likely that the iGaming landscape in Virginia will change very soon.
