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Virginia lawmakers are moving to put a hard line between sports betting and borrowed money.
In just over two weeks, a Virginia bill targeting credit card betting has gone from introduction to a lopsided House vote. On Wednesday, the House of Delegates passed Del. Marty Martinez’s HB 515, a bill that would block sportsbooks from using credit cards for customer transactions.
The proposal would remove credit cards from the list of allowed payment methods for online sports betting, preventing the Virginia Lottery from permitting operators to accept them for deposits or withdrawals.
Delegates approved Del. Marty Martinez’s House Bill 515 by a 94-3 vote, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.
HB 515 would change state code
Martinez, when pitching the bill, said it is for basic consumer protection. Since credit allows people to bet with money they don’t have, there will sure be unredeemable consequences that show up later. He argued the “delay” makes it easier for losses to pile up and for players to chase, especially compared to cash or debit where the hit is immediate.
The Virginia Lottery already does not allow credit cards for lottery purchases, and Martinez has said sports betting should follow the same logic.
A fast advancing bill
HB 515 was introduced on January 13 and cleared the House in just over two weeks. It moved through the Gaming subcommittee and the General Laws committee without resistance, then advanced on the floor before the final vote.
The revenue question is still a guess
State budget staff have not projected a clear dollar impact on sports betting revenue, largely because the Lottery does not have access to operators’ proprietary payment mix.
The fiscal analysis notes it’s uncertain how much revenue is tied to credit card transactions, meaning the downside, if there is one, is difficult to quantify from the state’s side.
Martinez has also stated that with this bill, Virginia is catching up to other states. Several states already restrict credit cards for certain forms of gambling through law or regulation, and the political argument is getting louder in 2026 as more lawmakers focus on debt-driven betting.
Source: SBC Americas
