Legislative record

SB 579STATE · VirginiaIntroduced

Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games, civil penalty.

Voted 7/21/2026View source

Summary

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.

Digest published by the state legislature, retrieved via Open States. Heard is not affiliated with either.

Bill text

The full text of this bill isn't on Heard yet. The official documents are linked below.

Roll-call record

How representatives voted

0 yea·0 nay

No roll-call votes recorded for this bill yet.

Docket history

Action history

  1. 7/21/2026Continued from last session
  2. 2/11/2026Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N)
  3. 2/11/2026Senate committee offered
  4. 2/11/2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB579)
  5. 1/14/2026Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
  6. 1/14/2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101625D