The Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted Monday to continue HB 271, further dimming the prospects of the Old Dominion legalizing online casino gaming for 2026.
The 11-3 vote with one abstention essentially moved the bill, which would have created a new Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee all gaming in the state, to the 2027 legislative session. That came after the Resources Subcommittee voted 4-0 earlier Monday to continue the bill.
“The gaming landscape had changed a lot and it continues to do so,” said Del. Paul Krizek during the subcommittee hearing, referring to the rise of prediction markets and sweepstakes gaming. “And the lottery’s done a great job of managing the programs entrusted to it. But it was really created to operate games, not to serve as the long-term comprehensive gaming regulator.
