The Virginia General Laws Committee has voted to advance Senate Bill 118 following new amendments introduced by Senator Mamie Locke, representing the first step to potentially legalizing iGaming across the state.
On January 26, the state’s Senate General Laws and Technology Gaming subcommittee had voted to reject SB 118 following a majority denial, but allowed lawmakers to revise the legislation for future consideration.
The most notable amendment introduced by Locke requires iGaming operators conducting business in Virginia to implement responsible gambling programs, including those which utilize player data and technology.
The programs must also use “automated triggers to identify and manage accounts of potential problem gamblers.”
SB 118 now includes three phases of intervention and education, where operators will begin by communicating with players to ensure their awareness of responsible gambling resources. Licensed operators will also offer video tutorials and access to a responsible gambling professional when required.
Senate General Laws and Technology Gaming subcommittee Chairman Jeff McPike had previously advised Locke to develop a bill which “really ups the game in terms of problem gaming.”
Following the General Laws Committee’s vote on January 28, McPike described the amendments as “more prescriptive in the statute, probably more than any other state in the United States at this point.”
The Committee ruled in favor of Locke’s legislation with a 9-6 vote, as McPike previously abstained his vote when the General Laws and Technology Gaming subcommittee issued a ruling on January 26.
SB 118 will now move to the Finance and Appropriations Committee in Virginia, with Locke having considered practices from New York’s regulatory framework prior to introducing the new amendments.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported the iGaming and sports betting activity for both December 2025 and FY2025 on January 21, as revenue during the year increased 29.5% to $3.8bn
