https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/ New laws, launches, tax changes and enacted bills on gambling in Virginia. en-us Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2026-07-01:DFS law recodified at Va. Code § 58.1-4200 et seq.; Lottery Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT 2026 Acts cc. 565, 566 repealed the original Title 59.1 Fantasy Contests Act and recodified it in Title 58.1. The Virginia Lottery replaced VDACS as regulator; operators now pay a 10% tax plus a 2.6% regulatory fee; the minimum player age rose from 18 to 21; and contests where a player competes against the operator no longer qualify as legal fantasy contests, barring single-entry pick'em-style formats. — 2026 Va. Acts cc. 565, 566 https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2026-04-10:Gov. Spanberger vetoes SB661, third consecutive gubernatoria Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2026-04-09:Gov. Spanberger vetoes SB756, which would have authorized a Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2026-03:SB579 sweepstakes-casino ban amended in committee to a Lotte Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2026-03:Conference committee fails to reconcile HB161/SB118; session Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2026-02:House passes HB161 (iGaming) 67-30 after initial 46-49 rejec Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2025-11:Temporary Norfolk slots-only gaming hall opens (130+ machine Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2025-10:Virginia Lottery Board grants Norfolk casino license to Boyd Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2024-02:General Assembly again votes to lift skill-game ban; details Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2024:Pamunkey Tribe brings in Boyd Gaming as development/operatin Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2023-10:Virginia Supreme Court rules skill game machines are unlawfu Sun, 01 Oct 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2023-02:Skill-game legalization/tax bill declared dead in House comm Wed, 01 Feb 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2022-11-01:Churchill Downs Inc. completes acquisition of interest in Co Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2022-07-08:Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol opens (temporary facility) Fri, 08 Jul 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2022:Minimum age to wager on historical horse racing terminals at Sat, 01 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT 2022 Va. Acts cc. 502, 503 https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2021-06-30:Pandemic-era skill-game carve-out expires; machines continue Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2021-01-21:First online sportsbooks (FanDuel/Washington Football Team) Thu, 21 Jan 2021 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2020-11-03:Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth voters approve loc Tue, 03 Nov 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2020-07-01:Virginia Lottery launches online draw-game and e-instant sal Wed, 01 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2020-07-01:SB922 (2020 Va. Acts ch. 117) takes effect, authorizing the Wed, 01 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2020-04-22:Gov. Northam signs HB4/SB36 authorizing commercial casinos i Wed, 22 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT 2020 Va. Acts ch. 1197 https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2020-04-22:Gov. Northam signs sports betting law (effective July 1, 202 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT 2020 Va. Acts ch. 1218/1231 https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2018-03-01:HB 1609 legalizes historical horse racing terminals, revives Thu, 01 Mar 2018 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:2016-03-25:Virginia becomes first state to formally legalize and regula Fri, 25 Mar 2016 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:1988-09-20:Virginia Lottery ticket sales begin Tue, 20 Sep 1988 12:00:00 GMT https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:1987-12-01:Enabling legislation creating the Virginia Lottery takes eff Tue, 01 Dec 1987 12:00:00 GMT 1987 Va. Acts c. 531 https://gamblingatlas.org/states/virginia/#timeline event:VA:1987-11-03:Virginia voters approve a referendum authorizing a state-ope Tue, 03 Nov 1987 12:00:00 GMT