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Panel advances bill to raise minimum age for fantasy sports and poker tournaments to 21

2158802 · January 28, 2025

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Summary

The subcommittee reported House Bill 2493 to raise the minimum age for participating in online fantasy sports contests and qualified Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments from 18 to 21; the measure passed the subcommittee 8-0.

The subcommittee voted to report House Bill 2493, a measure that would increase the minimum age for online fantasy sports contests and qualified Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments from 18 to 21.

The sponsor told the committee the change would align fantasy sports and poker tournament age requirements with other forms of gambling in Virginia, such as casino gaming and sports betting, which already set the minimum age at 21. Witnesses from the Sports Betting Alliance and other stakeholders signaled general support for raising the age but asked the legislature to examine certain operator practices in daily fantasy operations, including prop-style bets that may function like house-backed wagers.

The subcommittee took a voice/roll vote after questions and public testimony and recorded the bill as reported by an 8-0 tally.