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Bill

HB 399

Charitable gaming; regulations, predetermined percentage of receipts.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Askew

HB 399 mandates predetermined percentage requirements for Virginia charitable gaming receipts directed to charitable purposes, enforcing greater transparency and accountability in nonprofit fundraising operations.

Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
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Bill Summary · HB 399

Legislative bill overview

HB 399 modifies Virginia's charitable gaming regulations by establishing predetermined percentage requirements for how much of gaming receipts charitable organizations must allocate to their charitable purposes. The bill has already passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support (92-4) and is now in Senate committee review.

Why is this important

Charitable gaming (bingo, raffles, etc.) generates significant revenue for nonprofits in Virginia, but lacks clear standards for charitable payout percentages. This bill would create transparency and accountability by mandating specific revenue-sharing ratios, ensuring donors and the public can verify that gaming proceeds genuinely support charitable missions rather than being diverted to overhead or operators.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Smaller charities may struggle to implement new accounting and reporting requirements, potentially discouraging some organizations from participating in gaming fundraising
  • Percentage determination: The specific percentages set by the bill could be viewed as either too restrictive (limiting charity flexibility) or too lenient (allowing insufficient charitable allocation)
  • Competitive impact: Gaming operators and venues may face reduced profitability if forced to remit higher percentages to charities, potentially affecting their business viability

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

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