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Subcommittee advances substitute to expand charitable Texas Hold'em tournaments, raise minimum participation age
Summary
A substitute to HB 396 would broaden access to licensed charitable Texas Hold'em tournaments (veterans groups, fraternal organizations), allow rebuys/add‑ons in some formats, and raise participating age to 21; the subcommittee reported the substitute 8‑1.
The subcommittee considered a substitute for HB 396 that updates statutory definitions and expands access for charitable Texas Hold'em tournaments regulated by the Department of Agriculture. The sponsor said the change would help nonprofits such as VFWs and Moose lodges raise more money for charity and described two formats: freeze‑out tournaments and rebuy tournaments that allow additional buys during an early period of play. The sponsor gave an example that a large charity event could net an additional roughly $2,300 from rebuys and add‑ons in the format described.
Dylan Bishop, representing the Virginia Charitable Gaming Association, urged support to make licensed charitable Texas Hold'em tournaments more accessible and to help nonprofits raise funds. The subcommittee voted to report the substitute and the clerk announced the bill reports 8 to 1.
