Virginia Moves Closer to Legalizing Online Poker and Casino Gaming

Virginia is one step closer to legalizing online poker and casino gaming. On Tuesday, the House of Delegates approved HB 161, sponsored by Del. Marcus B. Simon, to legalize online poker and casino gaming. A day earlier, the Senate passed SB 118, also by a narrow margin. Both bills would authorize the Virginia Lottery Board to oversee and license online casino gaming connected to the state’s five land-based casinos.

Each casino operator would be permitted to partner with up to three online brands, subject to a $2 million initial platform fee per partner. Approved operators would also pay a $500,000 upfront licensing fee. Taxation has been standardized at 20% of adjusted gross gaming revenue. Six percent of the tax revenue would be directed to a Casino Gaming Hold Harmless Fund. Both bills explicitly allow Virginia to join multi-state agreements, including the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).

The House-passed HB 161 includes a reenactment clause requiring lawmakers to approve the bill again during the 2027 session. The Senate-amended SB 118 does not include that requirement but is tied to companion bills, Senate Bills 195 and 558, which would establish a new Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee gambling regulation. Under that structure, igaming would not go live until the commission is formally created and operational. That framework points to July 1, 2027, as the earliest possible launch date, with regulators required to finalize rules by January 2027.