Virginia moves to tighten fantasy sports rules with new oversight bill
Virginia lawmakers are pushing to tighten rules around fantasy sports contests. Delegate Paul Krizek introduced House Bill 145 to update the state's Fantasy Contests Act, aiming for stricter oversight and consumer protections.
The proposed bill requires fantasy sports companies to obtain a three-year permit from Virginia. They must also pay a 10% tax on revenue, with most funds (95%) directed to the state's general budget and the remaining 5% supporting gambling addiction programmes.
HB 145 sets new safeguards for players, including age verification, separate funds for player balances, and self-exclusion options. Companies would need to restrict insider access to private data and prevent employees from joining public contests. The bill also narrows the definition of fantasy contests, excluding 'pick 'em' or house-backed games. To ensure compliance, the legislation proposes annual audits by external experts. Regulators would gain stronger enforcement powers under the updated rules. Permit fees collected from operators would help fund both oversight and addiction support services. The bill passed its first hurdle in a House subcommittee and now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further review. Lawmakers hope to align fantasy sports regulations more closely with other gaming industries in the state.
If approved, HB 145 would introduce stricter licensing, taxation, and player protections for fantasy sports in Virginia. The changes would mark a shift toward treating the industry with the same scrutiny as other regulated gaming sectors. The bill's progress will depend on upcoming committee discussions.
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