Virginia regulates charitable Bingo and Texas Hold'em games
Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has announced regulations for electronic bingo and Texas Hold'em games played for charity purposes
Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has become the latest agency to regulate gambling in the state. The department will oversee electronic bingo and Texas Hold’em games played for charity purposes, ensuring that the correct percentage of money reaches the designated charity organizations.
This decision came as a result of the sweeping gambling expansion legislation passed four years ago, which exempted charitable gaming from state oversight.
The VDACS will inspect bingo halls, fraternal organizations, and other organizations that provide poker games for the benefit of charities to ensure that the charities receive a minimum hold, capped at 20% of adjusted revenue. The VDACS also plans to implement new licensure procedures and reviews of charitable gaming in the state.
Less than 2% of the $16.5 million played in charitable games in Virginia in 2020 made it to designated charities, with the rest being divided among host organizations and game equipment providers after all winnings were paid.