Virginia iGaming Passes Twice In General Assembly — Now Real Fight Begins

By Bill Speros

Feb 17th, 2026 3:55 PM EDT

(Alamy Images)

Legalizing online casino gaming in Virginia just cleared its most dramatic hurdle yet — twice. In a span of two days, both chambers of the General Assembly passed separate iGaming bills after initially voting them down.

Yes, both measures failed on first vote before being resurrected and passed on reconsideration. Welcome to Richmond in late winter. Virginia iGaming passed the General Assembly, but it wasn't easy.

The Virginia House approved HB 161 by a 67–30 Tuesday vote after it had earlier failed 46–49. A day earlier, the Virginia Senate narrowly passed SB 118 by a 19–17 margin — also after an initial defeat.

Momentum? Absolutely. Done deal? Not even close.

1

65 Players redeemed today!

$1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets If You Don't Win + $50 in BetMGM Rewards Points Bonus Code: BOOKIESBRP1500

Bonus Code

BOOKIESBRP1500

Visit Site

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR), Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See http://BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable and Expire in 7 Days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Two Days, Two Virginia iGaming Bills

The Senate’s approval of SB 118 marked the first breakthrough. But the drama didn’t stop there. The House followed with HB 161 in a procedural déjà vu moment — initial rejection, reconsideration, passage.

Both bills now cross over to the opposite chamber for review. And while they share a nearly identical regulatory framework, there’s one critical structural difference that could define the timeline.

The Key Difference: Timeline to Enactment

The Senate version requires Virginia iGaming approval in the 2026 legislative session only. If that occurs and the bill is signed into law, Virginia iGaming could launch July 1, 2027.

The House version adds an extra hurdle: it requires passage in both the 2026 and 2027 sessions before heading to the governor’s desk.

That two-session requirement significantly complicates the path forward. Even if lawmakers align on policy language this year, the House structure effectively builds in a delay mechanism.

In other words: the Senate bill is built for speed. The House bill is built for caution.

Now lawmakers must reconcile the two approaches into identical legislation before sending anything to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

What Virginia iGaming Bills Actually Do

Both versions create a regulated online casino Virginia iGaming marketplace tied to Virginia’s existing casino operators operated by the Virginia Lottery Board.

Here’s the framework:

• Casino Partnerships: Each of the four land-based casino operators may partner with up to three iGaming platforms.
• Platform Fee: $2 million initial platform fee.
• Operator License Fee: $500,000 initial licensing fee.
• Tax Rate: 15% of adjusted gross gaming revenue (AGR).

Revenue allocations are structured as follows:

• 5% to the Problem Gambling Treatment Fund
• 6% to the iGaming Hold Harmless Fund through Jan. 1, 2030
• 89% to the General Fund before Jan. 1, 2030
• 95% to the General Fund after Jan. 1, 2030

The model mirrors the state’s existing regulated sports betting structure but applies it to digital slots and table games.

Industry Applause — And Political Resistance

John Pappas, State Advocacy Director for the iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA), praised the votes as a “major step forward,” arguing that regulated iGaming would expand consumer protections and generate new revenue.

This progress comes despite a wave of misleading claims from opponents that mischaracterize how regulated iGaming works and what it actually means for consumers, accountability, and Virginia’s existing gaming industry." John Pappas

But opposition remains organized and vocal.

Critics have raised concerns about cannibalization of retail casino revenue, addiction risks, and broader gambling expansion. The fact that both bills initially failed before passing underscores how divided lawmakers remain before Virginia iGaming becomes law in the Commonwealth.

This isn’t a runaway train. It’s a tug-of-war.

1

76 Players redeemed today!

Bet $5 Get $100 in Bonus Bets + One Month of ESPN Unlimited

Bonus Code

No Code Required

Visit Site

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $100 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Plus, upon bet placement, get 1 promo code to redeem a 1-month ESPN Unlimited subscription, courtesy of DraftKings. New and eligible returning ESPN subscribers only. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $29.99/mo) (plus tax, where applicable); cancel anytime. FOR EXISTING DISNEY+ AND HULU SUBSCRIBERS: offer cannot be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu. This is an offer for a separate ESPN Unlimited subscription and must be managed separately. Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle available via http://plus.espn.com. Promo code expires 1/7/27. Subject to ESPN’s Subscriber Agreement. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 5/31/26 at 11:59 PM ET.

What Happens Next?

Three major hurdles remain:

1. Chamber Reconciliation: The House and Senate must agree on identical language.
2. Session Requirements: Lawmakers must resolve whether the bill requires one or two sessions of approval.
3. Governor’s Signature: Gov. Spanberger would need to sign the final measure.

Even if everything aligns, a July 1, 2027 launch date is the earliest realistic timeline.

Virginia legalized retail sports betting in 2020 and has steadily expanded gaming through brick-and-mortar casinos. Online casino gaming would represent the Commonwealth’s most significant gambling expansion yet.

For now, Virginia iGaming is alive — and closer than it has ever been.

But as this week proved, nothing in Richmond is official until it survives a second vote.

1

73 Players redeemed today!

Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost Promo Code: BOOKIESDYW

Bonus Code

BOOKIESDYW

Visit Site

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369); LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans) Call 1-800-522-4700, Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment

About the Author

Bill Speros

More About Bill

Bill is an award-winning journalist and editor whose career includes stops at USA Today Sports Network / Golfweek, Cox Media, ESPN, Orlando Sentinel and Denver Post. He's been covering the North American regulated gambling market for almost a decade and has his finger on the pulse for all industry news involving sportsbooks, online casinos, prediction markets and more. Bill placed his first bet at age 11, and his first job was as a paper boy delivering the Boston Herald and Boston Globe. By age 16, he was playing blackjack and getting comped drinks on the Las Vegas Strip. When home, his weekend rotation included trips to Wonderland Greyhound Park and Raynham Greyhound Park. After 30 years in legacy media, Bill wedded his passion for journalism and storytelling with a lifetime of wagering by working at Gambling.com.

Comments

Sign In | Sign Up

Post

View more