An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-340.20 of the Code of Virginia, relating to charitable gaming; denial, suspension, or revocation of permit.
HB1157 amends Virginia’s charitable gaming law to clarify the Department’s authority to deny, suspend, or revoke permits for charitable gaming and authorizations for electronic gaming when an organization is not in strict compliance with the statute or Department regulations. The bill preserves the Department’s ability to take enforcement action against organizations that fail to comply with the law, while also reinforcing that such actions are subject to the Administrative Process Act.
The measure also confirms procedural protections before most adverse actions can be taken. Except in specified circumstances, the Department must provide notice of the proposed action and the time and place of a hearing before denying, suspending, or revoking a permit or authorization, or seizing charitable gaming funds or games. The Department may use hearing officers selected from the Supreme Court’s list, and after the hearing it may refuse, suspend, or revoke a permit or authorization if noncompliance is found. Any aggrieved person may seek judicial review under the Administrative Process Act.
The bill updates § 18.2-340.20 of the Code of Virginia, which governs enforcement actions involving charitable gaming permits and electronic gaming authorizations. Its practical effect is to reaffirm the Department’s regulatory enforcement powers while maintaining notice-and-hearing requirements and appeal rights for affected organizations. Charitable organizations that conduct bingo, raffles, or electronic gaming are the primary parties affected, along with the Department responsible for oversight and enforcement.
The available record does not include committee transcripts or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the materials provided. The enacted chapter status suggests the bill advanced successfully through the legislative process and was approved as part of the 2026 session. Based on the text alone, the bill appears procedural and regulatory rather than controversial, with an emphasis on compliance and due process.
The main point of potential contention is the balance between regulatory enforcement and organizational due process. Charitable gaming operators may be concerned about the Department’s authority to deny, suspend, revoke, or seize funds when compliance issues arise, while regulators and supporters would likely emphasize the need for strict oversight to protect the integrity of charitable gaming. The bill’s hearing and appeal provisions appear designed to address those concerns by ensuring notice, an administrative hearing, and judicial review.