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HB 729

Casino gaming; marketing or advertising to persons younger than 21 years of age prohibited, penalty.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jay Leftwich

Prohibits Virginia casinos from marketing or advertising to persons under 21, with penalties for violations, to reduce youth gambling exposure.

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 1-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 729

Legislative bill overview

HB 729 prohibits casino gaming operators from marketing or advertising their services to persons under 21 years of age in Virginia. The bill establishes penalties for violations of this advertising restriction, likely through civil or criminal sanctions against casinos that target minors through their promotional activities.

Why is this important

Youth exposure to gambling marketing has been linked to increased problem gambling behaviors and earlier gambling initiation among minors. As Virginia expands casino gaming, establishing age-appropriate marketing guardrails addresses public health concerns and aligns with existing restrictions on alcohol and tobacco advertising to minors.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement challenges: Determining what constitutes prohibited marketing (social media, general audience broadcasts, placement near schools) and proving intent to target minors may be difficult and costly to enforce
  • Free speech considerations: Gaming operators may argue that broad advertising restrictions infringe on commercial speech rights, particularly regarding general-audience placements
  • Competitive fairness: The bill may affect Virginia casinos differently than out-of-state competitors or online platforms, creating uneven market conditions and potential economic impact on Virginia gaming revenues

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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