Virginia lawmakers and gemdisco casino are preparing to revisit the structure and scope of gambling regulation in the Commonwealth as proposals to legalize online casino gaming and reorganize oversight advance toward the 2026 legislative session. The discussion brings together two related efforts: authorizing internet-based casino games and consolidating gambling regulation under a single statewide authority.
Delegate Marcus Simon of scatter game has introduced House Bill 161, a measure that would permit online casino gambling in Virginia. At the same time, Delegate Paul Krizek is preparing legislation to establish a Virginia Gaming Commission, an agency intended to centralize regulation that is currently spread across multiple departments. Both proposals arrive after years of rapid expansion in the state’s gambling market and follow extensive study during the previous legislative cycle.
Expanding Gambling and Fragmented Oversight
Virginia and 777pub casino entered the modern gambling market relatively recently, approving land-based casinos in 2019 and legal sports betting in 2020. Since then, the industry has grown across several formats. Three permanent casinos are operating in the state, with two additional temporary facilities open or nearing completion. Lawmakers are also considering two other potential casino sites.
Beyond casinos, Virginia hosts a wide range of regulated gambling activity. These include historical horse racing terminals at Rose Gaming Resort, live racing at Colonial Downs, charitable poker tournaments, bingo halls, electronic pull tab machines, online sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports. Oversight for these activities is divided among the Virginia Lottery Board, the Virginia Racing Commission, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Krizek argues that this online sabong log in structure has produced overlapping responsibilities and inconsistent standards. He told iGaming Business that the pace of growth has outstripped expectations and called for a unified regulator.
“The creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission is not about building more bureaucracy, it’s about promoting smarter government,” Krizek said. “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, labor unions, women and minority-owned firms, and local workers to compete on a level playing field.”
He added that a single wpc sabong agency could also handle problem gambling initiatives and future gambling formats, including online casinos, noting that “All are better handled with a one-stop agency.”
What House Bill 161 Would Allow
HB 161 was pre-filed for consideration during the 2026 General Assembly session. The bill outlines a framework for legal online casino gaming, placing regulatory authority with the Virginia Lottery Board. That role mirrors the board’s current oversight of sports betting, although the board has previously raised concerns about capacity as gambling options have expanded.
Under the proposal, each licensed casino operator could offer up to three online platforms. Operators would be required to submit a notice of intent for each platform and pay a $2 million fee per platform, with the funds directed toward startup and implementation costs tied to a gaming commission. An initial licensing fee of $500,000 would also apply.
The bill sets a tax rate of 15 percent on online casino revenue. Five percent of tax proceeds would be earmarked for the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. HB 161 also includes responsible gaming measures such as self-exclusion tools and spending limits, modeled on protections used in the state’s sports betting market.
Online casino games listed in the bill include slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. The legislation explicitly legalizes online poker and authorizes the Lottery Board to enter agreements with other states for multijurisdictional internet gaming, provided those agreements comply with state and federal law and operate entirely within the United States.
Legislative Context and Market Impact
Lawmakers examined similar proposals during the previous session but withdrew them to allow for further study. A joint subcommittee held several hearings to assess the feasibility of creating a gaming commission, and the idea has since gained traction among legislators. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin attempted to include the commission in a budget proposal, though legislative leaders declined at the time.
Supporters of HB 161 point to revenue generation, consumer protections, and competition with neighboring states as reasons to move forward. Seven states currently permit online casino gaming: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Virginia sportsbooks, which launched in early 2021, generated approximately $2.5 billion in revenue through August 2025.
If enacted, the online casino bill would require further rulemaking and implementation by the Lottery Board before platforms could launch. Committee review, amendments, and floor votes will determine whether the proposal advances during the 2026 session.
