Virginia Legislature Pushes Bill to Legalize Online Casinos in 2026
Friday 09 de January 2026 / 12:00
⏱ 1 min read
(Virginia).- With House Bill 161, Virginia lawmakers have moved closer to legalizing online casinos, seeking to expand the regulated gaming landscape past sports wagering and enhance protections for participants.
House Bill 161 was pre-filed for the 2026 General Assembly session and outlines the legalization of online casino gaming, including slots, blackjack, roulette, and other casino games in a regulated digital environment. The bill establishes licensing requirements, including operator background checks and financial disclosures, while empowering the Virginia Lottery Board to oversee compliance and enforcement.
It also incorporates responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion options and spending limits. The legislation aims to generate badly needed tax revenue for the state as it faces a billion-dollar deficit in 2027.
Bill would legalize online poker
HB 161 could open access to a variety of regulated online casino games on their mobile devices or computers, offering a safe and legally sanctioned gambling experience.
It would also legalize online poker and allow the state to enter the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which would allow Virginia poker players to compete against players in a handful of other states.
Licensed operators, some of whom currently manage sports betting platforms, would have the opportunity to expand their offerings, enhancing Virginia’s gaming market diversity. Regulators would need to develop robust oversight systems to manage the new iGaming sector, potentially increasing jobs and investments in the state.
The bill reflects a broader national trend toward expanding online gambling options in a regulated manner to boost revenue and player protections.
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: United States
Región: North America
Event
SiGMA North America 2026
01 de September 2026
LatAm Regulators Discussed Illegal Gambling and Innovation at SiGMA North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The panel "The Red Pen Forum: Regulators Respond to the Industry," held during SiGMA North America 2026, brought together representatives from Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Honduras to analyze regulatory challenges, digital transformation, illegal gambling, and the need to adapt lotteries for new generations. The conference was moderated by Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director of CIBELAE (Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting), and featured the participation of Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay; Carlos Moyano, President of IAFAS Entre Ríos, Argentina; Heidi Hernández Olivo, Deputy Secretary of the Puerto Rico Lottery; and Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery Operations and Games at Loto Honduras.
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(Mexico, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Rosa Ochoa, founder of the Blue Global Gaming platform and strategic advisor for gaming operators; Iliana María Pineda Echeverri, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Wplay.co; Iraid Rosales, Country Manager Mexico at Amusnet; and Elizabeth Maya Cano, Executive President of CORNAZAR, analyzed the key factors in managing crisis situations within the iGaming industry, with a special focus on transparency, communication, technology, and preparation.
Friday 25 Sep 2026 / 12:00
Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristopher Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Scalar Partners; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.
Thursday 24 Sep 2026 / 12:00
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