Virginia iGaming Push Returns as Online Casino Bill Filed for 2026 Session

Virginia lawmakers have refiled online casino legislation for the 2026 session, reviving an effort that stalled in committee last year.

The bill would authorize regulated iGaming in a state that has had legal online sports betting since 2021 and runs an iLottery program. That existing infrastructure gives the state a base to build online casino regulation on, though earlier attempts went nowhere.

SB 827, introduced in 2025, was tabled without a floor vote. Opposition came from lawmakers wary of gambling expansion and from stakeholders worried about competition with Virginia's brick-and-mortar casinos, several of which are still being built.

Virginia awarded commercial casino licenses in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond as part of a 2020 expansion. The Bristol and Danville properties are now open. The others remain under construction. Casino operators have generally opposed iGaming legislation that could eat into their retail revenue before those investments mature.

Proponents argue that Virginians already gamble online, just in neighboring states or on offshore sites. Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania all offer legal online casinos within easy driving distance. Regulation would capture tax revenue and add consumer protections that are missing now.

The bill's details have not been fully released. Previous Virginia proposals would have tied iGaming licenses to existing casino licenses, similar to the structures in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Maine's recent passage of tribal-exclusive iGaming and renewed momentum in New York have encouraged legalization advocates heading into 2026 sessions. Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts are also expected to consider online casino bills this year.

Virginia's legislative session runs from January through March. The bill faces referral to committee, hearings, and floor votes in both chambers before it can reach Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk.