State of Virginia
Part of United States
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.
iGaming authorisation bills
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.
The Gaming Commission added the word "wagering" twice to Regulation 5.200, so a private salon now logs only the guests who bet, not everyone who walks in. The attorney general's office said the industry found the 2025 rule "somewhat burdensome"; Commissioner George Markantonis said he does not understand compliance being called burdensome, then voted for it anyway.
A class action lawsuit filed in Virginia accuses Stake.us and rapper Drake of running an illegal gambling ring. The suit also alleges Drake used the platform to fund bot networks to inflate his music streaming numbers.
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has initiated a major crackdown on influencers found to be promoting illegal gambling operators. This action
The total sports betting handle for March reached $689.7 million. This figure represents a notable 8% increase when compared to the handle reported in March
Commonwealth of Virginia
Richmond Journal of Law and Technology
Sports Betting Dime