Virginia lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday that would legalise online casino gaming, reviving a proposal that appeared stalled only days earlier amid concerns over responsible gambling protections. The Senate General Laws Committee approved SB 118, sponsored by Senator Mamie Locke, which would authorise iCasino gaming in the commonwealth. The bill is linked to separate legislation—SBs 195 and 558—establishing a Virginia Gaming Commission (VGC) and would not take effect until the new regulator is created.

The committee also advanced the regulatory proposal, moving Virginia closer to consolidating gambling oversight under a single agency. Gambling in the state is currently regulated by three separate bodies.

• Virginia lawmakers advanced an iCasino bill after Senator Mamie Locke added responsible gambling protections to address earlier concerns.

• The legislation is tied to the creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission and would not take effect until a unified gambling regulator is established.

• While the bill moved out of committee, its passage remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate Finance Committee amid broader political and regulatory debates.

Responsible gambling revisions shift momentum

The iCasino bill’s advancement followed a subcommittee hearing last week in which lawmakers raised concerns about problem gambling and advertising practices, leaving the proposal’s future in doubt. Locke addressed those concerns by introducing a substitute version of the bill that strengthens responsible gambling requirements. The revised language directs regulators to develop advertising standards, identification requirements, and additional consumer protection programs.

Those changes helped the bill gain enough support to move forward, according to industry sources. Still, its path remains uncertain. “Lots of politics at play,” one industry source said, adding that the Senate Finance Committee—where the bill heads next—will be a critical test. The source also said supporters of legislation to regulate skill-based terminal gaming machines may attempt to use the Gaming Commission proposal as leverage, potentially complicating or derailing the iCasino effort.

Alongside the iCasino bill, the committee advanced SB 129, which would regulate daily fantasy sports by imposing a 10% tax on operator revenue and banning “against-the-house” contests. Separately, the House of Delegates voted 94–3 on Wednesday to pass HB 515, which would prohibit credit card funding for sports betting. The Senate is expected to take up the measure in the coming weeks. Locke introduced similar iCasino legislation last year but withdrew it before debate, citing the need for further study. That decision led to the creation of a Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission, which held multiple hearings in 2024.

Several lawmakers have said Virginia should consolidate gambling oversight before approving further expansion. Over the past decade, the state has legalised land-based casinos and online sports betting. Currently, casinos and sports wagering are regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board. Horse racing falls under the Virginia Racing Commission, while charitable gaming and daily fantasy sports are overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Delegate Paul Krizek, who is sponsoring a House version of the VGC legislation, has framed the proposal as an efficiency measure rather than a bureaucratic expansion.

“A unified commission would streamline oversight by bringing all gaming under one roof, with consistent standards and enforcement,” Krizek told *iGB* earlier this year, adding that it would strengthen consumer confidence and support fair competition. Virginia Public Radio has reported that establishing a gaming commission is a legislative priority this session.

The revised legislation reflects growing concern among lawmakers that online casino expansion must be paired with stronger responsible gambling safeguards.

Online casino framework and industry response

Under Locke’s proposal, if the VGC is not established in time, the Virginia Lottery Board would regulate online casinos. Each licensed casino would be permitted to operate up to three online casino platforms, with a $2 million licence fee per platform. Virginia currently has five casinos, though lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday to authorise a sixth. The bill would tax iCasino revenue at 15%. Of that, 5% would be directed to the Problem Gambling and Treatment Support Fund, while 6% would fund an Internet Gaming Hold Harmless Fund. The legislation also requires operators to establish live-dealer studios within Virginia, a provision lawmakers estimate could generate more than 1,000 jobs.

Casino operators Caesars and Boyd Gaming support the bill. Cordish Companies, a prominent member of the National Association Against iGaming, opposes the legislation. While supporters believe the proposal has a viable path this year, lawmakers and industry observers agree that passage is far from guaranteed.