SB765Introduced in the Senate
Charitable gaming; definition of poker events, prohibited practices.
Introduced by Michael Jones, District 77
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Charitable gaming; poker tournaments and events. Defines poker event for the purposes of charitable gaming to mean a Texas Hold'em poker game or Texas Hold'em poker tournament in which (i) a schedule of fixed and variable fees for entry into the poker event and the number of chips received for such fees is established and posted; (ii) chips with cash value are permitted to be used; (iii) games and tournaments may be run concurrently; (iv) no limit applies to how many poker events occur during the time listed on the permit for such poker event; and (v) a seating fee may be charged at a rate of up to $8 up to once every 30 minutes. The bill removes from the definition of Texas Hold'em poker tournament the requirement that running out of poker chips eliminates an individual from the competition and raises the participation age of poker events from 18 to 21 years of age. The bill prohibits unlimited rebuys after the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break with one add-on permitted at the end of the rebuy period. The bill requires any qualified organization that conducts any poker event to use at least 20 percent of its poker adjusted gross receipts, defined in the bill, from the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments for (a) those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes for which the organization is specifically chartered or organized or (b) those expenses related to the acquisition, construction, maintenance, or repair of any interest in real property involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. The bill also outlines certain specifics related to the conduct of poker events, including remuneration to operators and tips or gratuities paid to dealers and employees of such operators. Finally, the bill prohibits any qualified organization from permitting a Texas Hold’em poker game that is not a Texas Hold’em poker tournament to be conducted outside of its social quarters or from permitting participation in such game by any person who is not a bona fide member of the organization.
Where it stands
Failed to Pass from conference
March 14, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 3, 2026
40
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Presented and ordered printed 26105308D
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
Unanimous consent to introduce
Assigned GL&T sub: Gaming
Senate subcommittee offered
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)
Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (12-Y 3-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106570D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)
Read second time
General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
Read third time and passed Senate (31-Y 8-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on General Laws
House committee offered
Reported from General Laws with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108121D-H1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB765)
Read second time
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read third time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Passed House with substitute (88-Y 8-N 0-A)
House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
House insisted on substitute
House requested conference committee
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Jones, Carroll Foy, Reeves
Conferees appointed by House
House Conferees: Krizek, Cole, J.G., Morefield
No further action taken
Failed to Pass from conference
Failed to Pass from conference
Verify the information
- Official page on the Virginia Legislature website
- General Laws and Technology Amendment (amendment)
- Gaming Subcommittee Amendment (amendment)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
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