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Virginia criminal charge

Penalty for illegal gambling in Virginia

Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session

Penalty for illegal gambling is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326.

What is the penalty for penalty for illegal gambling in Virginia?

Penalties for Penalty for illegal gambling
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Fineup to $500 (General illegal gambling — A person who illegally gambles or engages in interstate gambling as defined in § 18.2-325.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(c)))discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Jail / prisonup to 12 months (Illegal wagering on horse race outside licensed venues — A person who makes, places, or receives a bet or wager on a horse race other than at a licensed racetrack or licensed satellite facility/advance deposit account wagering.)discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-11
Fineup to $2,500 (Illegal wagering on horse race outside licensed venues — A person who makes, places, or receives a bet or wager on a horse race other than at a licensed racetrack or licensed satellite facility/advance deposit account wagering.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a)))discretionaryVa. Code Ann. § 18.2-11

Applies to current.

How is penalty for illegal gambling classified in Virginia?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Penalty for illegal gambling
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
General illegal gamblingClass 3 MisdemeanorA person who illegally gambles or engages in interstate gambling as defined in § 18.2-325.Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326undefined
Illegal wagering on horse race outside licensed venuesClass 1 MisdemeanorA person who makes, places, or receives a bet or wager on a horse race other than at a licensed racetrack or licensed satellite facility/advance deposit account wagering.Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326undefined

Common questions about penalty for illegal gambling in Virginia

Is penalty for illegal gambling a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: penalty for illegal gambling ranges from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326.

General illegal gambling: class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326) · Illegal wagering on horse race outside licensed venues: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326)

What are the penalties for penalty for illegal gambling in Virginia?

Penalties for penalty for illegal gambling in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 3 misdemeanor up to a class 1 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Virginia statute covers penalty for illegal gambling?

Penalty for illegal gambling is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-326 (Penalty for illegal gambling).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.