Virginia to give online casino legalization another shot in 2026

• House Bill 161 has been pre-filed for the 2026 session.
• The bill is looking to introduce online slots, blackjack, roulette, as well as online poker.
• Virginia could be joining Maine in regulating iGaming before long

After Maine announced on Thursday that it would be legalizing online casinos and accepting four iGaming licenses tethered to tribal operators, Virginia could be a close second in achieving something to the same effect.

Online casino legalization has been an often-discussed but ultimately inert cause throughout 2025, with the turning of the year now setting a different tone, with states failing to muster meaningful support.

Now, Virginia’s House Bill 161 is looking to change things up, with the draft law, pre-filed for the 2026 General Assembly session, specifically targeting the legalization of online casinos and games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette.

Maine’s bill passage could have an energizing effect, with Virginia following in its footsteps. Whether this happens is anyone’s guess, but there is a good reason why it could as well - a yawning state deficit comes to mind, with Virginia looking to raise extra money and prop up its ailing public spending and finances.

House Bill 161 is not looking to only legalize online casinos, as it also wants to see Virginia launch online poker and immediately join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, a compact that pools all regulated jurisdictions in the United States together, and allows for larger player pools and prize purses when playing online.

The state is relying on an established best practice whereby existing sports betting operators will also secure an online casino, if they choose to, and launch another platform.

In a word, Virginia is willing to try and catch up to existing iGaming regulation around the country. It has a good chance of succeeding.

Image credit: Unsplash.com