Virginia iGaming Push Could Return in 2027

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Sep 25, 2026, 8:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Virginia iGaming Push Could Return in 2027

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Virginia lawmakers could revisit online casino legalization in 2027 after the state came close to approving iGaming this year. The 2026 effort advanced through both legislative chambers but ultimately stalled before lawmakers reached a final agreement.

The effort centered on House Bill 161 (HB 161) and Senate Bill 118 (SB 118). Both measures sought to establish a regulated online casino market connected to Virginia's existing retail casino industry. Each bill passed its respective chamber, but differences between the proposals prevented final passage.

As a result, Virginia gambling remains without regulated real-money online casinos. However, recent comments from state Sen. Jeremy McPike suggest the issue could return when lawmakers reconvene in 2027.

Sen. McPike also discussed the future of iGaming during an iDevelopment and Economic Association panel in September.

HB 161 and SB 118 Fell Short

The House and Senate bills shared several important features, including a partnership model for existing casino operators. Under the proposals, each eligible retail casino could work with as many as three online platforms. That structure could have created a market with up to 15 online casino platforms.

However, lawmakers still needed to resolve major differences between the House and Senate versions. Tax policy became one of the central points of disagreement during negotiations.

The Senate version proposed a 20% tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue. Meanwhile, the House proposal included a 15% rate, creating an important difference between the two chambers. Lawmakers also debated how tax proceeds should support state priorities.

Concerns about the potential impact on retail casinos added another obstacle. Some stakeholders worried that online casino gaming could shift revenue away from physical properties. Lawmakers also considered potential effects on casino employment and responsible gambling programs.

Ultimately, the conference process failed to produce language that both chambers could accept. The session ended without a final iGaming law.

Regulation Could Shape Virginia iGaming 2027 Debate

Regulatory oversight will likely remain another major issue when Virginia lawmakers revisit iGaming.

Virginia has expanded its legal gambling market rapidly in recent years. The state now has retail casinos, online sports betting and historical horse racing. However, oversight responsibilities remain divided across different parts of the state's gaming framework.

McPike said lawmakers need to consider how a regulated market could balance consumer protection, oversight and potential revenue. Speaking during the September 18 iDEA panel, he said:

"I think there's a pragmatic sense, whether you participate in sports betting or, for instance, iGaming, or are interested in that venue, of how you provide sort of a consumer protection framework, a regulatory framework that makes sense and certainly the revenue aspects."

His comments reflect several issues that could shape another legislative effort. Lawmakers would need to determine how regulators could monitor online operators while protecting consumers and addressing problem gambling.

Lawmakers have also discussed creating a Virginia Gaming Commission. Such an agency could centralize oversight of several gambling activities currently handled through different regulatory structures.

That regulatory discussion could become increasingly important if lawmakers introduce another online casino bill. McPike has also questioned whether Virginia has sufficient infrastructure and staffing to regulate an additional gaming market.

2027 Could Bring Another iGaming Attempt

The failed 2026 bills provide lawmakers with a framework they could revisit next year. However, a new proposal would still need to address the disagreements that prevented HB 161 and SB 118 from reaching the governor.

Supporters can point to potential tax revenue and increased regulatory oversight as reasons to continue the discussion. They also argue that legalization could bring existing offshore casino activity into a state-regulated framework.

That argument could become particularly relevant as the US online casinos market expands across additional states. At the same time, Virginia lawmakers must weigh the potential effects on retail casinos, jobs and responsible gambling resources.

For now, no new 2027 iGaming bill has established a final framework. Still, the 2026 effort brought Virginia closer to online casino legalization than previous attempts.

The next legislative session could therefore reopen the debate. If lawmakers can resolve taxation, regulatory oversight and casino-impact concerns, Virginia gambling could once again move toward a regulated online casino market.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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