# Virginia SB579: Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games, civil penalty.

Virginia SB579, Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games, civil penalty., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Bryce E. Reeves (Republican); status in committee, last action 2026-02-11 (Senate committee offered) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB579-2026
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB579
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games, civil penalty.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-02-11, Senate committee offered
- Sponsor: Bryce E. Reeves (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (14 yes, 1 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## 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.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Bryce E. Reeves (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice | pass | 14 | 1 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2026-02-11: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB579) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (14-Y 1-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101625D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Substitute, 2026-02-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142011.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142010.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090911.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090910.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142011.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1142010.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090911.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090910.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB579-2026 (as of 2026-10-11).