Virginia iGaming Bill Advances To Full Senate

Virginia state Sen. Mamie Locke's bill to legalize internet casino gaming in the Old Dominion took a notable step forward Tuesday as the Finance Committee narrowly passed the bill to the full upper chamber.

SB 118 passed 8-6 with one abstention from the Finance Committee. It previously moved through the General Laws and Technology Committee last month. Locke's bill had a series of amendments added in the previous stop, including more robust responsible gambling and problem gambling principles.

Locke's bill would tax operator adjusted gross revenue at 15%, which is the rate at which the state taxes sports wagering. Other key components of the Senate bill include:

• Charging a $2 million operator platform license fee in which an operator can have up to three online skins
• Charging a $500,000 initial internet operator license fee
• Allocating 5% of tax revenue for the state's Problem Gaming Treatment and Support Fund
• Allocating 6% of tax revenue until Jan. 1, 2030, for the Internet Gaming Hold Harmless Fund to address cannibalization concerns

Sweepstakes ban language continues to stick

Locke's bill also proposes banning sweepstakes casinos, which is something that took place in multiple states in 2025. The civil penalty for violations is $100,000 for the first offense and $250,000 thereafter, but the bill specifies that "each day that such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense."

The Virginia Lottery Board, which would oversee internet casino gaming, would also be given the authority to hold hearings and issue cease-and-desist orders to sweeps operators as part of the bill.

Companion bill HB 161 in the General Assembly filed by Del. Marcus Simon passed the lower chamber's General Laws Committee last week and was referred to Appropriations.

Simon's bill contains one large caveat in that iGaming would not be legal unless the 2027 General Assembly reenacts provisions of the legislation.