Virginia Proposes Legalizing Online Poker

How Virginia Plans to Regulate the Online Gaming Market

Virginia has introduced HB161, a bill proposing to legalize online gaming, including poker, at the state level.

The bill envisions the creation of a regulated iGaming market under the control of the Virginia Lottery Board, the body that already oversees lotteries and sports betting. The regulator will issue licenses, approve platform operating rules, and monitor compliance with legal requirements.

The bill explicitly includes online poker among the permitted games, along with blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and slot machines.

Operator Licensing

Every operator wishing to legally operate in Virginia will be required to obtain a five-year license. The license costs $500,000, with renewals costing $250,000. By comparison, in Pennsylvania, a full online gaming license package can cost up to $10 million.

An operator is permitted to launch up to three separate gaming platforms, each of which can operate under its own brand.

An additional $2 million fee is charged for each platform. These funds are directed to a special fund for the administration and regulation of the online market.

Taxation and Financial Requirements

Online gaming operators are required to pay a tax of 15 percent on net revenue generated from online casinos.

The bill details the distribution of these funds: part goes to the state budget, while the rest goes to programs to help people with gambling addictions and funding relevant government initiatives.
Restrictions and Controls Measures

HB161 specifically prohibits the operation of sweepstakes websites. This format is considered a circumvention of current legislation, and its use carries significant fines, which increase for repeat violations.

Furthermore, the bill introduces strict penalties for operating without a license. Illegal operators could face not only financial penalties but also criminal liability for illegal activity within the state.

What will the bill mean for online poker players?

If HB161 is adopted, online poker in Virginia will become regulated. For players, this means a higher level of protection, transparent regulations, and access to licensed platforms.

The bill allows operators to offer various online poker formats — both classic cash games and tournament series. Furthermore, poker can be marketed under a separate brand within a single gaming platform, giving operators more flexibility in product launches and marketing campaigns.

While the current version of HB161 does not mention interstate poker pools, the regulatory format itself does not preclude such a possibility in the future. If Virginia follows the path of other states, it could pave the way for players to connect with jurisdictions where online poker is already legal. This is especially important for the overall US market, given that Virginia is one of the most populous states on the East Coast, with a population of approximately 8.8 million.

The final fate of HB161 will depend on debate in the state legislature. It may become clear as early as mid-2026 whether Virginia residents will have access to licensed poker rooms under the supervision of a local regulator in the next few years.