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Panel advances bill to bar credit-card deposits for online sports betting

Senate General Laws and Technology Committee · February 18, 2026

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Summary

The committee reported House Bill 515 as amended to prohibit credit-card deposits for online sports betting, with testimony and committee discussion clarifying debit-card and app-based transactions remain allowed and payment networks can block credit-card transfers to sportsbook merchant codes.

Delegate McTelego Martinez told senators HB 515 is a "straightforward consumer protection bill" that would prohibit online sportsbooks from accepting credit-card deposits. The sponsor noted that lottery purchases remain barred from credit-card purchases under current law, and HB 515 would extend that restriction to online sports wagering.

Senators asked for technical clarification on debit-card and app-enabled transactions. The committee was told payment networks and merchant-category codes allow card issuers to block credit-card transfers to certain types of merchants: "Once there's a blocking pace, they cannot transfer... they can't make those transactions," a committee member said after consulting staff in the room.

The committee adopted amendments and voted to report the bill and refer it to the Finance Committee for fiscal consideration.