VirginiaHB5152026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Sports betting; prohibition on use of credit cards.

Sponsored By: Marty Martinez (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Sports betting; prohibition on use of credit cards. Prohibits the Director of the Virginia Lottery from approving the use of credit cards as a method for sports bettors to fund sports betting accounts. The bill also requires a permit holder to take reasonable measures to prohibit the acceptance of credit cards to fund sports betting accounts on its sports betting platform.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 3 mixed.

Reserves, approvals, and $200K transfer fee

Permit holders must keep cash reserves at levels set by the Board. You cannot transfer or sublicense a permit without the Director’s approval. A permit transfer costs a nonrefundable $200,000 fee, paid into the Gaming Regulatory Fund.

State sports betting program and oversight

The law creates a state‑regulated sports betting program. The Department runs permitting under the Director, and the Board regulates operators. The Department cannot run a betting platform or facility itself. The Director can require bonds or other surety, enforce permits, and enter contracts (which cannot be assigned without approval). The Director also must file monthly revenue reports, send an annual report with recommendations, and alert leaders right away if laws need quick changes.

Stronger protections for sports bettors

Operators must make sure only people physically in Virginia can place bets. They must block underage users and others banned by law. You can ask to self-exclude, and the Department will share your request with other operators if you ask. Operators must protect your personal data. Ads cannot target people under 21, must name the operator, include problem-gambling help, and cannot mislead.

Tax forms for betting winnings

Operators must send tax forms to bettors who meet the reporting threshold for sports‑betting income. Use these forms to report gambling income on your taxes. If you meet the threshold, you may owe taxes on your winnings.

Ban on using athletes' biometrics

Permit holders cannot buy or use athletes’ personal biometric data unless the athlete’s exclusive bargaining representative gives written permission. This limits how operators can use sensitive athlete data.

Operator rules on records and integrity

Permit holders must keep detailed records of every bet and of suspicious activity, and keep them for at least three years after the event. They must give these records to the Department on request. Operators must detect suspicious or illegal betting and report it right away. If a sports governing body asks through the Department, operators must share pseudonymous bet data as soon as commercially reasonable. Shared data cannot include personal information and can be used only for integrity checks, with strong security.

No credit cards; other deposit options

The law bans using credit cards to fund sports betting accounts. Operators must block credit card payments. You can open and fund accounts online. Approved methods include ACH, debit cards, wire transfers, and other methods the Director approves.

Branding limits and partnership restrictions

Operators may use a brand that is different from their company name, but they cannot present their betting under more than one brand. The chosen brand must be easy to see. Cooperative marketing with businesses licensed under Title 4.1 is generally banned. Limited partnerships with some motor‑sports facilities, major league teams, or certain facility operators are allowed, but only on stadium or casino premises and with local zoning compliance and local government approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marty Martinez

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 326 • No: 7

House vote 3/6/2026

Senate amendment agreed to by House

Yes: 93 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/4/2026

General Laws and Technology Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

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 amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 94 • No: 3

House vote 1/22/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/20/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0926)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 926 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB515)

    3/13/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB515ER)

    3/13/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/13/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/13/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/13/2026House
  10. Senate amendment agreed to by House (93-Y 4-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  12. General Laws and Technology Amendment agreed to

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  17. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  19. Senate committee offered

    2/18/2026Senate
  20. Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    2/18/2026Senate
  21. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    1/29/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/29/2026Senate
  23. Read third time and passed House (94-Y 3-N 0-A)

    1/28/2026House
  24. Read second time and engrossed

    1/27/2026House
  25. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

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