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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81148</law_id><section_number>59.1-557</section_number><catch_line>Registration of fantasy contest operators required; application for registration; issuance of registration certificate; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-559</reference><reference>59.1-568</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="51">Fantasy Contests Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No <span class="dictionary">fantasy contest operator</span> shall offer any fantasy contest in the Commonwealth without first being registered with the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. Applications for registration shall be on forms prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. Any registration issued by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. <a id="paragraph-290850" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The application for registration submitted by a <span class="dictionary">fantasy contest operator</span> shall contain the following information: <a id="paragraph-290851" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The name and principal address of the applicant; if a corporation, the state of its incorporation, the full name and address of each officer and director thereof, and, if a foreign corporation, whether it is qualified to do business in the Commonwealth; if a partnership or joint venture, the name and address of each officer thereof; <a id="paragraph-290852" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The address of any offices of the applicant in the Commonwealth and its designated agent for process within the Commonwealth. If no such agent is designated, the applicant shall be deemed to have designated the Commissioner of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. If the operator does not maintain an office, the name and address of the person having <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of its financial records; <a id="paragraph-290853" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The place where and the date when the applicant was legally established and the form of its organization; <a id="paragraph-290854" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The names and addresses of the officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff officer; <a id="paragraph-290855" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> The name and address of each <span class="dictionary">principal stockholder</span> or member of such corporation; and <a id="paragraph-290856" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Such information as the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> deems necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-290857" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Every registration filed under this chapter shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable, initial application fee set by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. <a id="paragraph-290858" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> As a condition of registration, a <span class="dictionary">fantasy contest operator</span> shall submit <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> satisfactory to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> that the operator has established and will implement procedures for <span class="dictionary">fantasy contests</span> that: <a id="paragraph-290859" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Prevent him or his employees and relatives living in the same household as the operator from competing in any public fantasy contest offered by such operator in which the operator offers a cash prize; <a id="paragraph-290860" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Prevent the sharing of <span class="dictionary">confidential information</span> that could affect fantasy contest play with third parties until the information is made publicly available; <a id="paragraph-290861" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Verify that any <span class="dictionary">fantasy contest player</span> is 21 years of age or older; <a id="paragraph-290862" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Ensure that <span class="dictionary">players</span> who are the subject of a fantasy contest are restricted from entering a fantasy contest that is determined, in whole or part, on the accumulated statistical results of a team of individuals in which such <span class="dictionary">players</span> are participants; <a id="paragraph-290863" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Allow individuals to restrict themselves from entering a fantasy contest upon request and take reasonable steps to prevent those individuals from entering the operator&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">fantasy contests</span>; <a id="paragraph-290864" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Disclose the number of entries a single <span class="dictionary">fantasy contest player</span> may submit to each fantasy contest and take reasonable steps to prevent such <span class="dictionary">players</span> from submitting more than the allowable number; and <a id="paragraph-290865" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Segregate player funds from operational funds in separate accounts and maintain a reserve in the form of cash, cash equivalents, irrevocable letter of credit, <span class="dictionary">bond</span>, or a combination thereof in an amount sufficient to pay all prizes and awards offered to winning participants. <a id="paragraph-290866" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#D7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> If the registration forms are filed online using a website approved by the Commissioner of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, the operator shall follow the procedures on that website for signing the forms. <a id="paragraph-290867" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Any operator that allows its registration to lapse, without requesting an extension of time to file, shall be required to resubmit an initial registration. An extension may be granted by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> upon receipt of a written request. <a id="paragraph-290868" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-557/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2016, cc. 318, 703; 2025, c. 664.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
