VirginiaHB3962026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Charitable gaming; definitions, Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, minimum age to participate.

Sponsored By: Paul E. Krizek (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Charitable gaming; Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. Increases from 18 years of age to 21 years of age the minimum age an individual must be to participate in Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. The bill provides that no qualified organization may conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments (i) at a location outside of the county, city, or town in which its principal office, as registered with the State Corporation Commission, is located or in an adjoining county, city, or town or (ii) at an establishment that has been granted a retail alcoholic beverage control license unless such license is held by the qualified organization. The bill also allows unlimited rebuys during the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break, whichever occurs first, and permits one add-on at the end of the rebuy period before play resumes at the end of the first break.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Rules for players at charity poker

You must be at least 21 to play. Pay entry charges with cash or a check; no postdated checks. No credit or debit cards, and no lines of credit on site. You may rebuy chips only in the first two hours or until the first break. A rebuy is allowed only if you are out of chips or below the starting stack, and must match the starting stack. One add-on is allowed after the rebuy period and before play resumes. Only players with chips after the first break can buy the add-on.

Charities can run poker tournaments

Beginning July 1, 2019, any group already allowed to run bingo may run Texas Hold'em tournaments. Single poker games are still banned. A charity may hire a third-party operator, and the Department sets rules that limit operator fees. Tournaments must be in the city or county of the charity’s registered main office, or in an adjoining area. Events cannot be at alcohol-licensed venues unless the charity holds that license. The Department also writes rules for groups qualified before July 1, 2019 on when and how they may run tournaments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul E. Krizek

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 345 • No: 143

Senate vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 25 • No: 14

House vote 3/13/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 88 • No: 8

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

House vote 2/25/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 4 • No: 93

Senate vote 2/23/2026

General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 23 • No: 15

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/18/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 3 • Other: 1

House vote 1/28/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 88 • No: 8

House vote 1/22/2026

Reported from General Laws with substitute

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote 1/20/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 601 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB396)

    3/31/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB396ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by House (88-Y 8-N 0-A)

    3/13/2026House
  12. Conference Report released

    3/12/2026
  13. House Conferees: Krizek, Cole, J.G., Morefield

    3/4/2026House
  14. Conferees appointed by House

    3/4/2026House
  15. Senate Conferees: Jones, Carroll Foy, Reeves

    3/4/2026Senate
  16. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. House acceded to request

    3/2/2026House
  18. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  19. Senate requested conference committee

    2/27/2026Senate
  20. Senate substitute rejected by House (4-Y 93-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  21. Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 15-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  22. General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

    2/23/2026Senate
  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/23/2026Senate
  24. Read third time

    2/23/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB396)

    2/20/2026House

Bill Text

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