Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 396: Charitable gaming; definitions, Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, minimum age to participate.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 396 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Charitable gaming; definitions, Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, minimum age to participate. Primary sponsor: Paul Krizek (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Charitable gaming; Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. Increases from 18 years of age to 21 years of age the minimum age an individual must be to participate in Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. The bill provides that no qualified organization may conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments (i) at a location outside of the county, city, or town in which its principal office, as registered with the State Corporation Commission, is located or in an adjoining county, city, or town or (ii) at an establishment that has been granted a retail alcoholic beverage control license unless such license is held by the qualified organization. The bill also allows unlimited rebuys during the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break, whichever occurs first, and permits one add-on at the end of the rebuy period before play resumes at the end of the first break.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Krizek | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 16 |
| Debra Gardner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 76 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 601 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB396)
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB396ER)
- Enrolled
- Conference report agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)
- Conference report agreed to by House (88-Y 8-N 0-A)
- Conference Report released
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history