Bill Commons

VA SB 765

dead

Charitable gaming; definition of poker events, prohibited practices.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper

Quick answers

Did VA SB 765 pass?

No. VA SB 765 did not pass — it was defeated or died in the legislative process (2026-03-14). Latest recorded action (2026-03-14): Failed to Pass from conference

What is VA SB 765 about?

Charitable gaming; poker tournaments and events. Defines poker event for the purposes of charitable gaming to mean a Texas Hold'em poker game or Texas Hold'em poker tournament in which (i) a schedule of fixed and variable fees for entry into the poker event and the number of chips received for such fees is established and posted; (ii) chips with cash value are permitted to be used; (iii) games and tournaments may be run concurrently; (iv) no limit applies to how many poker events occur during the time listed on the permit for such poker event; and (v) a seating fee may be charged at a rate of up to $8 up to once every 30 minutes. The bill removes from the definition of Texas Hold'em poker tournament the requirement that running out of poker chips eliminates an individual from the competition and raises the participation age of poker events from 18 to 21 years of age. The bill prohibits unlimited rebuys after the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break with one add-on permitted at the end of the rebuy period. The bill requires any qualified organization that conducts any poker event to use at least 20 percent of its poker adjusted gross receipts, defined in the bill, from the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments for (a) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (b) those expenses related to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. The bill also outlines certain specifics related to the conduct of poker events, including remuneration to operators and tips or gratuities paid to dealers and employees of such operators. Finally, the bill prohibits any qualified organization from permitting a Texas Hold’em poker game that is not a Texas Hold’em poker tournament to be conducted outside of its social quarters or from permitting participation in such game by any person who is not a bona fide member of the organization.

Who sponsors VA SB 765?

Michael J. Jones is the primary sponsor of VA SB 765.

Description

Charitable gaming; poker tournaments and events. Defines poker event for the purposes of charitable gaming to mean a Texas Hold'em poker game or Texas Hold'em poker tournament in which (i) a schedule of fixed and variable fees for entry into the poker event and the number of chips received for such fees is established and posted; (ii) chips with cash value are permitted to be used; (iii) games and tournaments may be run concurrently; (iv) no limit applies to how many poker events occur during the time listed on the permit for such poker event; and (v) a seating fee may be charged at a rate of up to $8 up to once every 30 minutes. The bill removes from the definition of Texas Hold'em poker tournament the requirement that running out of poker chips eliminates an individual from the competition and raises the participation age of poker events from 18 to 21 years of age. The bill prohibits unlimited rebuys after the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break with one add-on permitted at the end of the rebuy period. The bill requires any qualified organization that conducts any poker event to use at least 20 percent of its poker adjusted gross receipts, defined in the bill, from the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments for (a) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (b) those expenses related to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. The bill also outlines certain specifics related to the conduct of poker events, including remuneration to operators and tips or gratuities paid to dealers and employees of such operators. Finally, the bill prohibits any qualified organization from permitting a Texas Hold’em poker game that is not a Texas Hold’em poker tournament to be conducted outside of its social quarters or from permitting participation in such game by any person who is not a bona fide member of the organization.

Introduced
2026-01-21
Latest action
2026-03-14 — Failed to Pass from conference
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Sponsors

  • Michael J. Jonesprimary

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2026-01-21

    Presented and ordered printed 26105308D

    introduction

  2. 2026-01-21

    Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-21

    Unanimous consent to introduce

    introduction

  4. 2026-01-23

    Assigned GL&T sub: Gaming

    referral-committee

  5. 2026-01-23

    Senate subcommittee offered

  6. 2026-01-26

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)

  7. 2026-01-28

    Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (12-Y 3-N)

    committee-passage

  8. 2026-01-29

    Committee substitute printed 26106570D-S1

    substitution

  9. 2026-01-30

    Rules suspended

  10. 2026-01-30

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

  11. 2026-01-30

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  12. 2026-02-02

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)

  13. 2026-02-02

    Read second time

    reading-2

  14. 2026-02-02

    General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

  15. 2026-02-02

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

    substitution

  16. 2026-02-03

    Read third time and passed Senate (31-Y 8-N 0-A)

    passage,reading-3

  17. 2026-02-09

    Placed on Calendar

  18. 2026-02-09

    Read first time

    reading-1

  19. 2026-02-09

    Referred to Committee on General Laws

    referral-committee

  20. 2026-02-19

    House committee offered

  21. 2026-02-19

    Reported from General Laws with substitute (21-Y 0-N)

    committee-passage

  22. 2026-02-19

    Committee substitute printed 26108121D-H1

    substitution

  23. 2026-02-20

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)

  24. 2026-02-23

    Read second time

    reading-2

  25. 2026-02-24

    Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

  26. 2026-02-24

    Read third time

    reading-3

  27. 2026-02-24

    committee substitute agreed to

    substitution

  28. 2026-02-24

    Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    substitution

  29. 2026-02-24

    Passed House with substitute (88-Y 8-N 0-A)

    passage

  30. 2026-02-26

    House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

  31. 2026-02-27

    House insisted on substitute

    substitution

  32. 2026-02-27

    House requested conference committee

    referral-committee

  33. 2026-03-03

    Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  34. 2026-03-03

    Conferees appointed by Senate

  35. 2026-03-03

    Senate Conferees: Jones, Carroll Foy, Reeves

  36. 2026-03-04

    Conferees appointed by House

  37. 2026-03-04

    House Conferees: Krizek, Cole, J.G., Morefield

  38. 2026-03-14

    No further action taken

  39. 2026-03-14

    Failed to Pass from conference

  40. 2026-03-14

    Failed to Pass from conference

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute

    2026-01-28 · pass · 12-3

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: no
    • Timmy French: no
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Constitutional reading dispensed R

    2026-01-30 · pass · 38-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: not voting
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: not voting
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Passage R

    2026-02-03 · pass · 31-8

    Member-level votes (40)
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Adam P. Ebbin: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: no
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: not voting
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

  • Reported from General Laws with substitute

    2026-02-19 · pass · 21-0

    Member-level votes (22)
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Barry D. Knight: not voting
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: yes

  • H VOTE:

    2026-02-24 · pass · 88-8

    Member-level votes (99)
    • Jessica L. Anderson: yes
    • Bonita G. Anthony: yes
    • Alex Q. Askew: yes
    • Terry L. Austin: yes
    • Jason S. Ballard: yes
    • Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.: yes
    • Gretchen M. Bulova: yes
    • Katrina Callsen: yes
    • Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie: yes
    • Betsy B. Carr: yes
    • Stacey Annie Carroll: yes
    • Mike A. Cherry: yes
    • Nadarius E. Clark: no
    • Laura Jane Cohen: yes
    • Joshua G. Cole: yes
    • Nicole Cole: yes
    • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler: yes
    • Mitchell Cornett: yes
    • Rae Cousins: yes
    • Will Davis: yes
    • Karrie K. Delaney: yes
    • Lindsey Dougherty: yes
    • Mark C. Downey: yes
    • Michael B. Feggans: yes
    • Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.: yes
    • Lily V. Franklin: yes
    • Margaret A. Franklin: yes
    • Debra D. Gardner: yes
    • Thomas A. Garrett, Jr.: no
    • Jackie H. Glass: not voting
    • Timothy P. Griffin: no
    • Elizabeth R. Guzman: yes
    • Karen Hamilton: no
    • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.: yes
    • Dan I. Helmer: yes
    • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.: yes
    • Phil M. Hernandez: yes
    • Charniele L. Herring: yes
    • M. Keith Hodges: not voting
    • Patrick A. Hope: yes
    • Hillary Pugh Kent: yes
    • Karen Keys-Gamarra: yes
    • Terry G. Kilgore: yes
    • Paul E. Krizek: yes
    • Amy J. Laufer: yes
    • James A. "Jay" Leftwich: yes
    • Destiny LeVere Bolling: yes
    • Alfonso H. Lopez: yes
    • Michelle Lopes Maldonado: yes
    • Marty Martinez: yes
    • John Chilton McAuliff: yes
    • Adele Y. McClure: yes
    • Garrett McGuire: yes
    • Ellen H. McLaughlin: not voting
    • Joseph P. McNamara: yes
    • Kirk McPike: yes
    • Delores L. McQuinn: yes
    • Leslie Chambers Mehta: yes
    • James W. Morefield: yes
    • May Nivar: yes
    • Delores Oates: yes
    • Israel D. O'Quinn: yes
    • Justin Pence: yes
    • Eric Phillips: yes
    • Kimberly Pope Adams: yes
    • Marcia S. "Cia" Price: yes
    • Sam Rasoul: yes
    • Atoosa R. Reaser: yes
    • David A. Reid: yes
    • Chris S. Runion: yes
    • Charlie Schmidt: yes
    • Don Scott: yes
    • Phillip A. Scott: no
    • Holly M. Seibold: yes
    • Briana D. Sewell: yes
    • Irene Shin: yes
    • Marcus B. Simon: yes
    • Shelly A. Simonds: yes
    • JJ Singh: yes
    • Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.: yes
    • Anne Ferrell Tata: yes
    • Joshua E. Thomas: yes
    • Virgil Thornton: yes
    • Luke E. Torian: yes
    • Kathy K.L. Tran: yes
    • H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr.: yes
    • Wendell S. Walker: yes
    • Jeion A. Ward: yes
    • R. Lee Ware: yes
    • Vivian E. Watts: yes
    • Michael J. Webert: no
    • Madison Whittle: yes
    • Bill Wiley: yes
    • Rodney T. Willett: yes
    • Wren M. Williams: yes
    • Tony O. Wilt: yes
    • Thomas C. Wright, Jr.: no
    • Scott A. Wyatt: yes
    • Eric R. Zehr: no

  • Concur House Substitute R

    2026-02-26 · fail · 0-40

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: no
    • Lamont Bagby: no
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: no
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: no
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: no
    • Luther Cifers, III: no
    • Christie New Craig: no
    • R. Creigh Deeds: no
    • Bill DeSteph: no
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: no
    • Tara A. Durant: no
    • Barbara A. Favola: no
    • Timmy French: no
    • T. Travis Hackworth: no
    • Christopher T. Head: no
    • Michael J. Jones: no
    • Emily M. Jordan: no
    • Mamie E. Locke: no
    • L. Louise Lucas: no
    • David W. Marsden: no
    • Ryan T. McDougle: no
    • Jeremy S. McPike: no
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: no
    • Mark D. Obenshain: no
    • Mark J. Peake: no
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: no
    • Russet Perry: no
    • Todd E. Pillion: no
    • Bryce E. Reeves: no
    • Danica A. Roem: no
    • Aaron R. Rouse: no
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: no
    • Kannan Srinivasan: no
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: no
    • Richard H. Stuart: no
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: no
    • David R. Suetterlein: no
    • Scott A. Surovell: no
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: no
    • Angelia Williams Graves: no

  • Accede Conference Committee R

    2026-03-03 · pass · 40-0

    Member-level votes (40)
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Luther Cifers, III: yes
    • Christie New Craig: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Bill DeSteph: yes
    • J.D. "Danny" Diggs: yes
    • Tara A. Durant: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Timmy French: yes
    • T. Travis Hackworth: yes
    • Christopher T. Head: yes
    • Michael J. Jones: yes
    • Emily M. Jordan: yes
    • Mamie E. Locke: yes
    • L. Louise Lucas: yes
    • David W. Marsden: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • Jeremy S. McPike: yes
    • Tammy Brankley Mulchi: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Todd E. Pillion: yes
    • Bryce E. Reeves: yes
    • Danica A. Roem: yes
    • Aaron R. Rouse: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Kannan Srinivasan: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes
    • David R. Suetterlein: yes
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
    • Angelia Williams Graves: yes

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB765

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:

Source and document changesStatus and relationship changes

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