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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>369140</law_id><section_number>54.1-834</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited activities; penalties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="118" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="2" identifier="II">Professions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the Department</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="8" identifier="8.1">Boxing and Wrestling Events</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No betting or wagering shall be permitted at an <span class="dictionary">event</span> or <span class="dictionary">exhibition bout</span> before, during, or after the <span class="dictionary">event</span> in the building where the <span class="dictionary">event</span> is held. <a id="paragraph-1376819" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-834/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No <span class="dictionary">person</span> shall participate in a sham or fake <span class="dictionary">boxing</span> or <span class="dictionary">martial arts</span> contest. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall have the authority to <span class="dictionary">order</span>, without a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, the <span class="dictionary">person</span> controlling the purse to hold the distribution to contestants, <span class="dictionary">promoters</span>, and trainers pending a public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall, simultaneously with the issuance of such <span class="dictionary">order</span> to retain the share or purse, institute proceedings for a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> to determine whether a sham or fake <span class="dictionary">boxing</span> or <span class="dictionary">martial arts</span> contest has occurred. <a id="paragraph-1376820" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-834/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> It shall be a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> for any <span class="dictionary">person</span> to violate this section or any <span class="dictionary">statute</span> or regulation governing the <span class="dictionary">persons</span> or activities regulated pursuant to this chapter. <a id="paragraph-1376821" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-834/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The third or any subsequent <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> for violating any provision of this section during a 36-month period shall constitute a Class 6 <span class="dictionary">felony</span>. <a id="paragraph-1376822" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-834/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1998, c. 895; 2015, cc. 216, 264; 2016, c. 756; 2025, cc. 95, 111.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
