VA SB 579
Status unknownIllegal gambling; online sweepstakes games, civil penalty.
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper
Quick answers
Did VA SB 579 pass?
The current status of VA SB 579 is not known from the official record. Latest recorded action (2026-02-11): Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N)
What is VA SB 579 about?
Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games; civil penalty. Includes the (i) operating, conducting, or promoting of any online sweepstakes games and (ii) supporting or assisting in the operating, conducting, or promoting of any online sweepstakes game in the definition of "illegal gambling." The bill defines an "online sweepstakes game" as any game, contest, or promotion in which a prize is awarded based on chance that (a) is available on the internet and accessible on a mobile phone, computer, or similar device; (b) utilizes a dual currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize, award, cash, or cash equivalent; and (c) simulates casino-style gaming, including slot machines, video poker, table games, lottery games, and sports betting. Persons who operate, conduct, or promote online sweepstakes games or take any action to support or assist in the operation, conduct, or promotion of online sweepstakes games shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 per violation. The bill contains technical amendments.
Who sponsors VA SB 579?
Bryce E. Reeves is the primary sponsor of VA SB 579.
Description
Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games; civil penalty. Includes the (i) operating, conducting, or promoting of any online sweepstakes games and (ii) supporting or assisting in the operating, conducting, or promoting of any online sweepstakes game in the definition of "illegal gambling." The bill defines an "online sweepstakes game" as any game, contest, or promotion in which a prize is awarded based on chance that (a) is available on the internet and accessible on a mobile phone, computer, or similar device; (b) utilizes a dual currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize, award, cash, or cash equivalent; and (c) simulates casino-style gaming, including slot machines, video poker, table games, lottery games, and sports betting. Persons who operate, conduct, or promote online sweepstakes games or take any action to support or assist in the operation, conduct, or promotion of online sweepstakes games shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 per violation. The bill contains technical amendments.
- Introduced
- 2026-01-14
- Latest action
- 2026-02-11 — Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N)
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Sponsors
- Bryce E. Reevesprimary
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
2026-01-14
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101625D
filing,introduction
2026-01-14
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
referral-committee
2026-02-11
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB579)
2026-02-11
Senate committee offered
2026-02-11
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N)
Versions
Documents
Votes
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice
2026-02-11 · pass · 14-1
Member-level votes (15)
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Mark J. Peake: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
- Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
Use this data
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Known limitations
- Sponsor party and chamber affiliation are not yet captured by this API.
- Committee referrals are not yet captured.
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