Is Virginia Poised To Become the Ninth State With Legal Online Casino Gambling?
Posted on: February 18, 2026, 10:08h.
Last updated on: February 18, 2026, 10:09h.
- The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have passed iGaming legislation
- Gov. Spanberger wants to form a state gaming commission before more gambling is authorized
The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have both signed off on online gambling bills. While the iGaming legislation differs slightly, and the two chambers must now come together to iron out a common ground resolution, only one bill entails a key component that would seemingly satisfy Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).
On Monday, Senate Bill 118 passed the upper chamber with a 19-17 vote. Yesterday, the House passed House Bill 161 with a 67-30 vote. There are three primary differences between the proposed laws.
First, the Senate version seeks to protect the state’s five authorized casinos by allocating tax money from iGaming to offset any financial impact they incur. The House version also includes directing a portion of the online gambling proceeds to the Casino Gaming Hold Harmless Fund, but additionally allocates a portion to offset internet lottery losses.
The second key difference is that the Senate bill proposes allowing online casinos to launch effective July 1, 2027. The House statute wouldn’t allow iGaming to go live until Jan. 1, 2028.
Governor Condition
Tuesday marked the Virginia General Assembly’s crossover deadline, the day on which bills must clear their respective chamber with a majority vote. While much work lies ahead in finding a mutual bill that fields majority iGaming support, one critical hurdle remains if lawmakers hope to gain Spanberger’s blessing.
During the Senate’s consideration of the iGaming statute, language that mandated that online casino licensing fees be used to fund “start-up costs and other costs associated with the implementation and creation of a gaming commission” was stripped. The text remains in the House bill.
Spanberger, who took office last month, is reportedly hesitant about authorizing new forms of gambling unless a state gaming regulatory agency is created. Since 2020, Virginia has legalized five brick-and-mortar casinos, online and in-person sports betting, and slot-like historical horse racing machines at off-track betting venues.
Those regulatory duties, aside from HHR gaming, have been assigned to the Virginia Lottery Board. Proponents of forming a gaming commission contend that the Lottery Board needs help to properly ensure the regulation of the state’s vast, rapid expansion of gambling.
Katie Frazier, a Spanberger cabinet member who is the secretary of agriculture and forestry, recently told the House General Laws Committee that the governor wants a dedicated gaming regulator before more gaming is considered.
Governor Spanberger is deeply concerned about any discussions of gaming expansion in Virginia without first establishing a single entity with clear authority, consistent standards, and strong compliance and enforcement capabilities,” said Frazier.
Along with iGaming, state lawmakers are considering a casino in Northern Virginia and the regulation of slot-like skill games.
iGaming Landscape
There are currently seven states where iGaming is legal and operational. They are Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Maine legalized iGaming earlier this year, but platforms have not yet gone live.
Gross gaming revenue in the active iGaming states was more than $10.5 billion in 2025.
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