Virginia House approves credit card ban for online sports betting
The Virginia House of Delegates voted 94–3 on Wednesday to pass a bill banning the use of credit cards for online sports betting, sending the measure to the Senate.
Sponsored by Del. Marty Martinez, HB 515 would prohibit the Virginia Lottery from allowing sportsbooks to accept credit card deposits or withdrawals.
The bill moved quickly through the House after its Jan. 13 introduction, clearing the Gaming subcommittee 9–0 and the General Laws committee 21–0 before advancing on a voice vote Jan. 27 and passing the full chamber the next day.
Martinez said the proposal is aimed at protecting consumers by discouraging gambling with borrowed money.
“Senate Bill 515 is a straightforward consumer protection bill,” he said. “Allowing gambling with credit cards encourages people to wager with money they do not actually have."
Martinez argued that credit cards delay the immediate financial impact of losses, making it easier for players to gamble beyond safe limits. Research and regulatory experience, he added, show that access to credit is linked to higher losses and reduced self-control.
He also noted that the Virginia Lottery already prohibits the use of credit cards for lottery purchases and said extending that policy to sports betting would be simple to enforce.
“These policies are clear, enforceable, and easier to administer than subjective behavior monitoring systems,” he added. “It reduces financial harm, strengthens responsible gambling principles in alliance with existing regulatory precedent, and builds public trust in regulated markets.”
A fiscal analysis from the Department of Planning and Budget said the bill is not expected to affect state operations but could impact sportsbook revenue, though the scale is unknown.
Martinez also pointed to similar restrictions in states including Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Illinois, as well as DraftKings’ decision last year to block credit card use nationwide. New York and Maine are considering comparable legislation this year, with Maine lawmakers citing the recent legalization of online casino gaming as a reason to tighten rules around payment methods.
The measure is part of a broader slate of gaming bills under review in Virginia, including proposals to legalize online casino gaming, create a Virginia Gaming Commission, tax fantasy sports at 10%, and expand brick-and-mortar casinos.
https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/01/29/117355-virginia-house-approves-credit-card-ban-for-online-sports-betting