United States - Virginia: gambling regulation and licensing
State of Virginia
Part of United States
- Online sports bettingRegulated
- Online casinoProhibited
- Land-based (reference)Regulated
- Regulator
- Virginia Lottery
- Headline tax
- 15% GGR
- Licence required
- Not yet verified
- Last verified
- 30 Aug 2026
Summary
Virginia was an early mover on sports betting and has stayed put since. Online betting launched on 21 January 2021, regulated by the Virginia Lottery rather than by a dedicated gaming commission, which is a common arrangement in states that came to betting through an existing lottery agency. Operators pay 15% of adjusted gross revenue, with 2.5 percentage points of that directed to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. That earmark is unusual in being written into the rate rather than funded separately, and it is worth noting when comparing headline rates across states, because a nominal 15% in Virginia is not directly comparable to a nominal 15% elsewhere. Virginia has also held its rate while neighbouring states have raised theirs, which makes it one of the more predictable markets on the east coast. Online casino is not authorised. House Bill 161 and Senate Bill 118 in the 2026 session each proposed it, and neither was agreed before the session ended, so the position is unchanged.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Virginia Lottery
- Regulator type
- Sub-national body
- Headline tax
- 15% GGR
- Licence required
- Not yet verified
- Minimum age
- Not yet verified
- Tax base
- Operators pay 15% of adjusted gross revenue, of which 2.5% is directed to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
- Capital
- Richmond
- Currency
- USD
- Official languages
- English
Legal framework
Pending legislation
iGaming authorisation bills
- Stage
- not passed
- What it changes
- House Bill 161 and Senate Bill 118 in the 2026 session each proposed authorising online casino. Neither was agreed before the session ended.
Taxation
- Headline GGR tax
- 15% GGR
- Effective date
- Not yet verified
- Tax base
- Operators pay 15% of adjusted gross revenue, of which 2.5% is directed to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
Earmarked levies
- Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund: 2.5% of the 15% (Commonwealth of Virginia)
Advertising
- Advertising permitted
- Yes
- Affiliate rules
- Affiliates are not separately licensed. The operator remains accountable for advertising published on its behalf, and only state-licensed operators may be promoted.
- Celebrity and influencer rules
- Advertising must not be directed at people below the legal minimum gambling age, which constrains the use of personalities and channels with an under-age following.
- Penalties for breach
- T supervises advertising as part of its licensing function and can take disciplinary action against the licence.he Virginia Lottery
Restrictions
- Advertising is regulated by the Virginia Lottery as a condition of licensure rather than under a separate advertising statute.
- Only operators licensed in the state may lawfully be promoted to its residents.
- Advertising must not be directed at people below the legal minimum gambling age.
- Operators must not direct marketing at self-excluded persons.
- Online casino is not authorised, so only sports betting may be promoted. This is the most common misreading of a US state record: a sports betting licence is not an iGaming licence.
Outlook
iGaming will return. Two bills in one session is the pattern that usually precedes a serious attempt, and Virginia has the land-based casino industry that normally has to be squared first.
Frequently asked questions
- Is online casino legal in Virginia?
- No. Bills to authorise it were introduced in the 2026 session but were not agreed before it ended.
- What is the sports betting tax rate?
- 15% of adjusted gross revenue, including 2.5 percentage points earmarked for problem gambling treatment and support.
Sources
- Virginia Lottery
Commonwealth of Virginia
Tier 1Accessed 22 Aug 2026 - Virginia Becomes Latest State to Launch Sports Betting
Richmond Journal of Law and Technology
Tier 2Accessed 22 Aug 2026 - Is Virginia Online Casino Gambling Legal?
Sports Betting Dime
Tier 3Accessed 22 Aug 2026