Virginia senators advance bill to create standalone Gaming Commission

Sen. Ayers, the patron of Senate Bill 195, told the General Laws gaming subcommittee the Commonwealth needs a single regulatory agency to oversee all forms of gaming and protect consumers. “2026 must be the year we move the commission forward, and it truly can't wait any longer,” Ayers said at the opening of his presentation.

The legislation would establish an independent Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate charitable gaming, casino gaming, sports betting, fantasy contests and horse racing; create a governing board and an executive commissioner; move portions of the Virginia Racing Commission under the new agency’s purview; and recodify existing gaming provisions under a new title (29.5). Ayers said the bill also increases resources for problem‑gambling treatment and clarifies licensing, investigative powers and penalties for illegal gambling.

Supporters argued a single commission will reduce confusion for localities and operators, strengthen data security and enforcement consistency, and provide a single point of accountability. Ayers said the bill “does not authorize any new forms of gaming” and preserves local controls.

The subcommittee took a procedural vote on incorporating related placeholder language and on a motion to report SB195 and refer it to the Finance Committee. The clerk recorded the roll call as follows: Senator Ayers — Aye; Senator Carol Foy — Yes (by proxy); Senator Head — Aye; Senator Pillian — Aye; Senator Reeves — Yes; Senator Roem — Yes (by proxy); Senator McPike — Aye; Senator Evan — Yes. The recommendation to report passed, 8–0.

Next steps: with the subcommittee recommendation in hand, SB195 will appear before the full committee on the General Laws and Technology docket and, if advanced there, move to the Finance Committee for fiscal consideration.