Virginia Would Ban Credit Card Use for Sports Betting, Per HB515

In the 2026 General Assembly session on January 13, Virginia legislators introduced House Bill 515, titled “Sports betting; prohibition on use of credit cards.” If the bill is approved, the Director of the Virginia Lottery would be prohibited from accepting credit cards as a payment option for sports betting.

This move aims to reinforce player protection in the Commonwealth, especially when regulated online betting markets continue to expand.

House Bill 515 to Restrict Payment Methods

Since sports betting was legalized in the state, the Virginia Lottery Board has been authorized to issue permits, license sportsbooks, manage compliance, and authorize funding methods. Several responsible gambling tools are available, including setting bet limits and self-exclusion.

However, as regulated markets grow drastically and more operators come into play, players face a higher financial risk and are more prone to fraud. House Bill 515 was developed to navigate this complex landscape by prohibiting the use of credit cards to make sports wagering deposits.

The bill amended Section 58.1-4031 of the Code of Virginia, in which sports betting sites, permit holders, or affiliated vendors would not be allowed to accept credit cards for sports betting transactions. This would apply to operators, whether in-state or out-of-state, that are licensed in Virginia and bettors in the Commonwealth.

Following this, operators must remove credit cards from their cashier pages, automated deposit tools, and registration flows. If they fail to comply with the ban, they may face fines, administrative sanctions, and other regulatory actions.

Advocates for the bill agree that limiting the use of credit cards could prevent vulnerable players from taking on debt to make high-stakes bets, which may result in problem gambling and consumer harm.

Meanwhile, opponents argue that restricting a common payment method like credit cards creates inconvenience and discourages consumers from participating in sports betting. This can also add complexity to the market competitiveness as the legalization wave is spreading to neighboring states.

The House Bill 515 aims to restrict the use of credit cards for sports betting.

The Legislative Process – What’s Next?

The House Bill 515, sponsored by Del. Marty Martinez [D], has just been introduced and is now under review. It’s waiting to be sent to a House committee for hearings, amendments, and floor consideration.

The House hasn’t yet decided which committees to review the bill. It’s expected that General Laws, which is in charge of gambling rules, or Appropriations, which handles anything involving taxes/money, will be assigned for review.

Whether hearings, where stakeholders, financial regulators, and advocates discuss the bill, will be scheduled, or if any amendments will be made, is still up in the air. It’s a long way to go before the bill can be passed.