Virginia SB 579: Illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games, civil penalty.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101625D

SENATE BILL NO. 579

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-325 and 18.2-334 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-326.1, relating to illegal gambling; online sweepstakes games; civil penalty.

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Patron—Reeves

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 18.2-325 and 18.2-334 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-326.1 as follows:

§ 18.2-325. Definitions.

1. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Gambling device" means (i) any device, machine, paraphernalia, equipment, or other thing, including books, records, and other papers, that is actually used in an illegal gambling operation or activity; (ii) any machine, apparatus, implement, instrument, contrivance, board, or other thing, or electronic or video version thereof, including those dependent upon the insertion of a coin or other object for their operation, that operates, either completely automatically or with the aid of some physical act by the player or operator, in such a manner that, depending upon elements of chance, it may eject something of value or determine the prize or other thing of value to which the player is entitled, provided, however, that the return to the user of nothing more than additional chances or the right to use such machine is not deemed something of value within the meaning of this definition, and provided further that machines that only sell, or entitle the user to obtain, items of merchandise of equivalent value that may differ from each other in composition, size, shape, or color shall not be deemed gambling devices within the meaning of this definition; and (iii) skill games.

Such devices are no less gambling devices if they indicate beforehand the definite result of one or more operations but not all the operations, nor are they any less a gambling device because, apart from their use or adaptability as such, they may also sell or deliver something of value on a basis other than chance.

"Illegal gambling" means the making, placing, or receipt of any bet or wager in the Commonwealth of money or other consideration or thing of value, made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value, dependent upon the result of any game, contest, or any other event the outcome of which is uncertain or a matter of chance, whether such game, contest, or event occurs or is to occur inside or outside the limits of the Commonwealth.

For the purposes of this subdivision definition and notwithstanding any provision in this section to the contrary, the making, placing, or receipt of any bet or wager of money or other consideration or thing of value shall include includes the purchase of a product, Internet internet access, or other thing made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value by means of the operation of a gambling device as described in subdivision 3 b, clause (ii) of the definition of "gambling device," regardless of whether the chance to win such prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value may be offered in the absence of a purchase.

"Illegal gambling" also means the (i) playing or offering for play of any skill game; (ii) operating, conducting, or promoting of any online sweepstakes game; and (iii) supporting or assisting in the operating, conducting, or promoting of any online sweepstakes game.

2. "Interstate gambling" means the conduct of an enterprise for profit that engages in the purchase or sale within the Commonwealth of any interest in a lottery of another state or country whether or not such interest is an actual lottery ticket, receipt, contingent promise to pay, order to purchase, or other record of such interest.

3. "Gambling device" includes:

a. Any device, machine, paraphernalia, equipment, or other thing, including books, records, and other papers, which are actually used in an illegal gambling operation or activity;

b. Any machine, apparatus, implement, instrument, contrivance, board, or other thing, or electronic or video versions thereof, including but not limited to those dependent upon the insertion of a coin or other object for their operation, which operates, either completely automatically or with the aid of some physical act by the player or operator, in such a manner that, depending upon elements of chance, it may eject something of value or determine the prize or other thing of value to which the player is entitled, provided, however, that the return to the user of nothing more than additional chances or the right to use such machine is not deemed something of value within the meaning of this subsection; and provided further, that machines that only sell, or