House Bill 161, pre-filed in early January for the 2026 General Assembly session, would authorize online casino gaming across Virginia. Authored by Del. Marcus Simon (D), the proposal aims to legalize real-money online offerings—slot machines, table games, and poker—extending regulatory oversight to Virginia’s digital gaming landscape.
If passed, this marks the most significant gambling expansion in the Commonwealth since sports betting launched in 2021. Virginia already hosts several brick-and-mortar casinos and has been exploring digital expansion since Senate lawmakers delayed a similar measure in 2025 for further study.
The bill proposes a controlled rollout: five land-based casino operators could offer up to three digital platforms each, resulting in a maximum of 15 online “skins.” To launch, operators must submit a $2 million notice of intent per platform. The Virginia Lottery Board would oversee licensing, regulation, and compliance under a five-year operator license costing $500,000, with $250,000 for renewal.
Operators would also require platform-specific permissions and separate licensing for technology and service providers. Licenses closely mimic existing sports-wagering protocols—geolocation, age verification, and anti-sweepstakes enforcement align the new measures with current gaming regulation.
A 15% tax on adjusted gross online gaming revenue is included. Of this:
This structure aims to deliver new revenue streams to help offset projected budget deficits, notably a $1 billion shortfall expected in fiscal year 2027.
The bill mandates responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion programs and spending limits. It would also enable Virginia to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) for online poker, allowing residents to compete with players in other states.
These measures aim to shift Virginians from unregulated online gambling into a safer, regulated framework, while also providing consumer safeguards.
In parallel, some legislators have proposed creating a dedicated Virginia Gaming Commission to consolidate regulatory authority, which is currently distributed across several agencies, including the Lottery Board, Racing Commission, and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Virginia’s proposed move to authorize online casinos and poker in 2026 via HB 161 represents a significant regulatory and fiscal shift. With a detailed licensing model, structured tax framework, and consumer protections, the measure mirrors national iGaming trends. Its progress through the General Assembly and accompanying regulatory reforms will determine whether Virginia becomes the latest state to embrace regulated online casino play.
