HB 2498 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Virginia Gaming Commission; established, penalties, report.

Summary
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-203.3, 2.2-401.01, 2.2-3705.3, 2.2-3705.6, 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-3711, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4002, 2.2-4346, 3.2-102, 3.2-6201, 4.1-100, 4.1-206.3, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 8.01-216.3, 8.01-534, 11-16.1, 11-16.2, 15.2-912.2, 15.2-2825, 18.2-325, 18.2-326, 18.2-334.2 through 18.2-334.5, 19.2-66, 19.2-215.1, 19.2-389, 19.2-390, 22.1-140.1, 37.2-314.2, 52-53, 52-54, 58.1-3, 58.1-439, 58.1-460, 58.1-3510, 58.1-3732.1, and 59.1-542.1 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a title numbered 29.5, containing a subtitle numbered I, containing chapters numbered 1 through 6, consisting of sections numbered 29.5-100 through 29.5-648, and a subtitle numbered II, containing chapters numbered 7 and 8, consisting of sections numbered 29.5-700 through 29.5-814; and to repeal §§ 2.2-2455 and 2.2-2456, Article 1.1:1 (§§ 18.2-340.15 through 18.2-340.37) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, Chapter 40 (§§ 58.1-4000 through 58.1-4048) of Title 58.1, Chapter 41 (§§ 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4141) of Title 58.1, Chapter 29 (§§ 59.1-364 through 59.1-405) of Title 59.1, and Chapter 51 (§§ 59.1-556 through 59.1-570) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Gaming Commission; established; penalties.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Jan 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Feb 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

General Laws Subcommittee Substitute General Laws Substitute · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends multiple Virginia Code sections to establish a new Virginia Gaming Commission that consolidates oversight of charitable gaming, casino gaming, sports betting, and horse racing. It creates a new Title 29.5 with detailed definitions, regulatory powers, and operational structures for the Commission. The bill also updates various existing statutes related to gaming, gambling, and tribal consultation while repealing older gaming-related provisions.
Scope change
The bill significantly expands the scope of gaming regulation by creating a unified Virginia Gaming Commission that oversees multiple types of gaming activities previously managed by separate entities, including the Virginia Racing Commission and charitable gaming operations.
SCOPE

Establishes a new Virginia Gaming Commission as an independent agency to oversee all gaming regulatory operations in the Commonwealth, consolidating functions previously held by separate entities.

Repeals older gaming statutes including sections 2.2-2455, 2.2-2456, and various articles related to charitable gaming and gaming operations that are now covered under the new Title 29.5.

DEFINITION

Creates new Title 29.5 with comprehensive definitions for gaming terms including charitable gaming, casino gaming, sports betting, and various gaming device classifications.

REQUIREMENT

Updates criminal history record information dissemination requirements to include the Virginia Lottery and Virginia Gaming Commission for conducting investigations related to gaming activities.

FISCAL

Creates a new Commonwealth Gaming Operations Fund to offset the Commission's investigation and enforcement costs, separate from the general fund.

TIMELINE

Updates effective dates for retail alcohol licenses from July 1, 2026, and modifies various gaming-related penalty amounts and civil penalty thresholds.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes new powers for the Gaming Commission Board to hear appeals, suspend or revoke licenses, and partner with law enforcement to address illegal gaming activities.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2025

How they voted

210
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 22
Jan 30, 2025
D Democratic12
12 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican10
9 Yea 1
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Jan 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 30, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (21-0-1)
house of delegates
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
Assigned GL sub: ABC/Gaming
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

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