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Virginia senate committee advances online casino bill with changes
A bill to legalize online casino play in Virginia has advanced after a committee vote inserted a substitute with responsible gaming provisions.
The Virginia Senate General Laws and Technology Gaming Subcommittee has forwarded a bill that could regulate online casino play in the state, but not until after inserting a substitute for the legislation. Despite the unlikely prospect of iGaming legalization in Virginia's short 2026 legislative session, the substitute's content suggests that online casino regulation may become inevitable in the commonwealth.
Committees introduce substitute for online casino bill
The legislation, SB 118, had a substitute inserted on Jan. 23 by the Senate's Gaming Subcommittee after its sponsor, Sen. Mamie Locke, held it over from the 2025 session. The Senate's General Laws and Technology then added its own language to the bill before voting to advance it to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 28.
These actions suggest that although there might not be enough support in the Virginia Senate to legalize access to casino apps in 2026, the concept has a modicum of support in the chamber. The new language in the bill could address outstanding concerns by members not ready to lend their support.
The substitute includes additional language aimed at curtailing possible cannibalization of physical casinos in the commonwealth. Subcommittee members also communicated a desire to see the legislation contain more aggressive responsible gaming provisions.
In even-numbered years, the Virginia legislature only meets for two months, with budget matters and election matters normally dominating the shortened sessions. Other legislation that has seen movement in 2026 could set the stage for further consideration of Locke's bill in 2027 or beyond.
Gaming commission creation bill could serve as step toward iGaming
The Gaming Subcommittee also SB 195, which would establish a Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate most forms of gaming in the state. Currently, the Virginia Lottery handles those duties for online sportsbooks and the state's land-based casinos.
The potential commission being in place and ready to add oversight of online casinos to its duties could make some members of the Virginia legislature more likely to support iGaming. However, establishment of the commission could take until 2028, provided SB 195 becomes law.
If that is to occur in 2026, the Virginia Senate has to approve the bill by Feb. 17. The time necessary to establish the commission could also give Locke time to adjust the online casino bill to address outstanding concerns.
One example of the convergence between a hypothetical Virginia Gaming Commission and future licensed platforms for online casino games for real money is the administration of a universal self-exclusion program. The Virginia Lottery currently administers a voluntary self-exclusion program for most forms of legal gaming in the commonwealth but that offering would likely shift to the commission's oversight.
Belaying concerns about lost tax revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos may require more careful considerations by Locke in a future online casino legalization bill. Potential solutions include a provision that allows the legislature to revisit the authorization for iGaming after a period of time.
If Locke can find suitable language to insert into a future bill, then Virginians could someday take advantage of offers like Fanatics Casino promo codes. The regulation of these platforms could be more a matter of when than if.
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Due to the outstanding concerns and the short session, the path to gaming expansion is narrow in 2026. From a long-term perspective, though, the path to online casino regulation is visible in Virginia.
