Virginia lawmakers continue to examine proposals that could allow online casino gaming in the state, as competing bills advance while several disagreements remain unresolved.
House Bill 161, introduced by Del. Marcus Simon, moved forward in the Senate this week after the Finance and Appropriations Committee approved it by an 11-3 vote with one abstention. The measure then reached the Senate floor, where lawmakers handled it within a group of bills that skipped the constitutional reading requirement.
The chamber also voted twice to suspend procedural rules before placing the bill in a “passed for the day” status. The designation means senators will return to the proposal later for further debate or a possible final vote.
HB 161 includes a reenactment clause requiring the General Assembly to pass the measure again in 2027 before online casino gaming could take effect.
Differences Between Competing iGaming Proposals
The discussion centers on two proposals: HB 161 and Senate Bill 118, sponsored by Sen. Mamie Locke. Both measures would legalize internet casino gaming under oversight from the Virginia Lottery.
Each bill sets a $2 million platform fee and a $500,000 licensing fee for operators. They also establish a tax structure that includes a 20 percent tax on adjusted gross revenue and a 6 percent economic development fee meant to support a program protecting land-based casinos from potential losses linked to online gaming.
The proposals differ in how that program would work. SB 118 would compensate casinos that demonstrate revenue declines connected to internet gaming. HB 161 would provide equal payments to casinos through July 2032 before shifting to a loss-based approach.
They also allocate tax revenue differently. The House version directs 5 percent of proceeds to the state’s problem gambling fund and 89 percent to the general fund through 2036. The Senate bill assigns 3 percent for internet gaming regulation, 2 percent for problem gambling programs, and 95 percent for education funding.
The reenactment clause in HB 161 would delay the potential launch of online casinos until at least 2028. The Senate proposal originally set a start date of July 1, 2027.
Additional Gambling Bills Under Review
Lawmakers are also working to reconcile several other gambling-related bills in conference committees after each chamber amended legislation passed by the other.
SB129 and HB145 would regulate daily fantasy sports by requiring operators to obtain licenses and pay a 10 percent tax on revenue. SB661 and HB1272 address regulation of skill game machines, which Virginia previously banned.
Another measure, SB 609, proposes reorganizing gaming oversight by establishing a Virginia Lottery and Gaming Authority, though the House has suggested creating a separate Virginia Gaming Authority instead.
Conference committees composed of lawmakers from both chambers will attempt to produce compromise versions. Both the House and Senate must approve any final agreement before the legislation can move to the governor. The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to end on March 14.
Source:
“Virginia Online Casino Bill Makes Incremental Progress In Senate”, yahoo.com, March 4, 2026
The post Virginia Lawmakers Move Online Casino Bills Toward Talks first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.