Virginia Pushes National Sports Betting Handle Over $100 Billion For 2024
Jim Tomlin - Nov 1, 2024
Virginia sports betting is legal since launching in January 2021. With 13 Virginia sportsbooks to choose from, BetVirginia.com has the latest on all the live betting sites.
Below are the top sports betting sites based on our expert reviews, Virginia sportsbook promos and bonuses and more.
The operators above provide bettors best-in-class Virginia sports betting apps.
✅ Is Sports Betting Legal in VA? | Yes, Virginia Sports Betting is Legal |
⭐️ How Many Virginia Sportsbooks Are There? | 13 |
🎰 Are Online Casinos Available? | No, only social casinos |
📆 Latest Betting News | Sporttrade goes live |
🔞 Legal VA Gambling Age | 21+ Years Old |
🏛️ Virginia Gambling Regulator | Virginia Lottery |
✏️ Last Verified by Expert | November 20, 2024 |
Sports betting is legal in Virginia as of January 22, 2021, with FanDuel sportsbook being the first operator live in the state. Gov. Ralph Northam signed the online sports betting bill into law in April 2020.
You must be 21 years or older while physically located in the state to sports bet. Virginia gambling and betting laws prohibit anyone in the state under 21 from participating on any legal Virginia sportsbooks offered.
The Virginia Lottery regulates the Virginia sports betting industry. This includes the license application and approval process for all operators. The Lottery also has the power to issue and suspend licenses, if necessary.
No, it's not legal to bet on politics in Virginia. Any betting odds such as Kamala Harris' odds to be President or Michelle Obama's presidential election odds you see in the United States are either hypothetical or used from non-US sportsbooks.
When you are ready to register for your first Virginia sportsbook account, all you need to do is follow these simple steps:
The easiest method to sign up is by downloading the VA sportsbooks' mobile app or go to their desktop betting site. If you want to sign up in person you'll need to visit the Hard Rock Casino & Resort in Bristol or one of the other four locations in Danville, Portsmouth, Richmond, and Norfolk.
The latest news on Virginia sports betting? Don't worry. We've got you covered with everything you need to know in our regularly updated list of headlines below.
The below sportsbooks are approved by the Virginia Lottery Board and all legal to bet on. Of the 13 total sportsbooks in Virginia, here's what we voted as the best:
1. BetMGM Virginia | 9.8/10 ⭐️ |
2. Caesars Virginia Sportsbook | 9.7/10 ⭐️ |
3. bet365 Virginia | 9.5/10 ⭐️ |
4. DraftKings Virginia | 9.3/10 ⭐️ |
5. Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia | 9.0/10 ⭐️ |
6. FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia | 9.0/10 ⭐️ |
7. Hard Rock Bet Virginia | 8.6/10 ⭐️ |
8. Sporttrade Virginia | 8.4/10 ⭐️ |
9. ESPN BET Virginia | 7.7/10 ⭐️ |
10. BetRivers Virginia | 7.1/10 ⭐️ |
11. Bally Bet Virginia | 6.8/10 ⭐️ |
12. Betfred Virginia | 6.4/10 ⭐️ |
13. Betr Virginia | 6.0/10 ⭐️ |
✅ Rankings Last Updated: | November 2024 |
The BetMGM Virginia Sportsbook offers bettors thousands of events to bet on live, worldwide. From kickoff to who will score next, BetMGM Sportsbook has every live betting market that you could ever look for.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 9.8/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Live Betting |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
Kicking off the list of top VA sportsbooks with Caesars Sportsbook VA which features a spectacular rewards program with great perks at its many casino resort hotels and affiliated properties.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 9.7/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Watch & Bet |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | Caesars Virginia |
There are plenty of reasons to love technology in today's age but few can bring you live streaming options straight from an app quite like bet365 Virginia sportsbook.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 9.5/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Live Streaming Options |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | Washington Commanders |
DraftKings Sportsbook Virginia's reputation as a major player in Daily Fantasy Sports preceded its sportsbook. While promos favor new bettors, most Virginia sports bettors and fantasy players agree that there's a lot to like here.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 9.3/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Daily Fantasy Sports |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
Fanatics Virginia Sportsbook now has its own namesake sports betting brand. This new Virginia sports betting operator offers a strong rewards program, competitive odds and fantastic sports betting promos.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 9.0/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Financial Transparency |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia quickly became a popular online betting option in the Commonwealth, due in part to its partnership with the Washington Commanders and DC United. FD's website loads fast with little to no load time. On top of it you can bet on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 9.0/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Mobile Experience |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | Washington Commanders, DC United |
With Flex Parlays at Hard Rock Bet Virginia, it's worth giving one of the newer operators on the Virginia sports betting market a chance.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 8.6/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Flex Parlays |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | Hard Rock Casino Bristol |
The Sporttrade VA betting exchange is the first of its kind to hit the online sports betting market in the state. A new way to place sports wagers it's a must to check out today.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 8.4/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Betting Exchange |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Only Apple Devices |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
ESPN BET Virginia has brought one of the top mobile apps and rewards programs that you’ll find in the Virginia sports betting market.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 7.7/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Parlay+ |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
BetRivers Virginia has competitive football odds boosters both for college football and NFL. VA bettors will have a hard time finding odds boosts like these.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 7.1/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | NFL Odds Boosts |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | Rivers Casino Portsmouth |
The Bally Sports Virginia sportsbook brought a great betting app and online site to the market. Their sign-up bonus, however, leave quite a bit to be desired.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 6.8/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Micro Markets |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
Betfred Virginia, in partnership with Loudon United FC, brings an easy-to-use betting site and mobile app to the Virginia betting scene.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 6.4/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Parlay+ |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | Loudon United FC |
You may recognize the Betr Virginia sportsbook brand thanks to Jake Paul. The YouTube star turned entrepreneur and boxer co-founded the company and they've since entered multiple markets just in the last few years. Their strategy, headlined by their microbetting feature, claims to be disrupting the sports betting market but the sportsbook is still very raw.
⭐️ BetVirginia.com Rating: | 6.0/10 |
🔥 Top Feature: | Microbetting |
📲 Sportsbook App: | Yes, Apple & Android |
🤝 Virginia Partner: | N/A |
New sportsbooks come and go in the market all the time. When new operators enter the VA betting market they often bring great welcome bonuses and promos with. Below are a few of the newest we recommend checking out:
⭐ Sporttrade | Launched October 2024 |
⭐ Fanatics Sportsbook | Launched November 2023 |
⭐ ESPN BET | Launched November 2023 |
⭐ Hard Rock Bet | Relaunched August 2023 |
⭐ bet365 | Launched January 2023 |
With 13 legal Virginia sportsbooks, you have plenty to pick from. While not every licensed sportsbook offer a new user bonus, you can still utilize each app to find the best odds available wherever you're located.
Many factors can go into the decision of which of the online sports betting sites in Virginia is right for you. Whether you're looking to rack up reward program points or can't get enough bonus bets, you'll need to decide what's important to you. Here's what I consider when looking and choosing betting markets to target:
You can find reviews on sites such as this one, and we also suggest looking up reviews at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Don't just look at ratings – some people lose bets and blame the sportsbook. Read negative reviews to find out why that person is unhappy.
From Washington Commanders Super Bowl odds to same-game parlays, props and more, make sure the Virginia sportsbook offers a wide variety of wager types.
Signing up and shopping around for the best odds and lines at various Virginia online sportsbooks and betting apps is highly recommended.
Keep an eye on sports betting operators in Virginia to see what kind of promotions they're offering.
The best sportsbooks in Virginia will have a smooth design on mobile phone apps and online sports betting sites.
Here are the common deposit and withdrawal options when sports betting in Virginia:
💳 Visa | Instant deposits | 1-5 days for withdrawals |
💵 Venmo | Instant deposits | 2-5 days for withdrawals |
💰PayPal | Instant deposits | 2-7 days for withdrawals |
🏦 Bank Transfer | 1-3 days for deposits | 3-7 days for withdrawals |
💳 MasterCard | Instant deposits | No withdrawals |
💸 American Express | Instant deposits | No withdrawals |
The best Virginia sports betting sites and apps will have phone and live chat support for speed, email for ease of record-keeping, and a detailed Virginia sportsbook FAQ section.
Speaking of customer support, here's a list of contact information for all the legal Virginia online sportsbooks.
✅ Sportsbook | 📞 Phone | |
Bally Bet VA | 1 (888) 824-0650 | [email protected] |
bet365 VA | 1 (888) 8-BET-365 | [email protected] |
Betfred VA | 1 (757) 505-7137 | [email protected] |
BetMGM VA | N/A | [email protected] |
BetRivers VA | 1 (888) 307-0777 | [email protected] |
Betr VA | 1 (305) 605-2387 | [email protected] |
Caesars Sportsbook VA | 1 (855) 474-0606 | [email protected] |
Fanatics Sportsbook VA | N/A | [email protected] |
DraftKings VA | 1 (855) 357-2377 | [email protected] |
FanDuel VA | N/A | [email protected] |
Hard Rock Bet VA | 1 (844) 951-7625 | [email protected] |
ESPN BET VA | N/A | [email protected] |
Virginia has a number of top sports franchises competing in their sports betting market including one each in the four major sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. While it's legal to bet on professional sports teams in Virginia, you can't bet on in-state college teams such as the Virginia Cavaliers and Virginia Tech Hokies.
The future is looking bright for the Washington Commanders with Jayden Daniels leading the team at quarterback. You can bet on Jayden Daniels' rookie of the year odds in addition to all 32 NFL teams on all of the top Virginia sportsbooks.
While you may not be choosing the Washington Wizards to win their matchups you can, at the very least, bet on their success. Or lack thereof. Regardless the Wizards partner with the Caesars Sportsbook, who will be opening a retail sportsbook in Danville, so if you're betting on Washington you may want to look at Caesars promos and sign up today.
As long as Alex Ovechkin is hitting the ice for the Washington Capitals they're worth watching. The Capitals' odds each night may not look as bright as some of their rivals in the Eastern Conference's Metro Division but Virginia sportsbooks do a great job including Washington props in their mix of promotions.
After eight-straight years of winning seasons, the Washington Nationals haven't finished a season above .500 since 2019. That doesn't bode well for their success and odds on any of the legal VA sportsbooks available but they provide a nice option to follow in the area during the busy Summer months. To make that Summer vibe sweeter you can bet on the Nationals odds from the BetMGM Sportsbook right at Nationals Park.
Here are are the sportsbooks in Virginia that have a partnership with professional sports teams.
Caesars Sportsbook | Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics |
FanDuel Sportsbook | Washington Commanders, DC United |
BetMGM Sportsbook | Washington Nationals |
It is legal to bet on college sports in the state of Virginia, but it's illegal to bet on Virginia college sports teams in the state. Below are teams you cannot bet on while located in the state of Virginia.
The Virginia Cavaliers remain a powerhouse in the ACC, winning the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19 and hoping to get back to that final game soon. Unfortunately, it's illegal for sports bettors in the state to bet on Virginia football odds.
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team have only missed bowl season twice since 1993, and the basketball team makes frequent appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, sports bettors in Virginia cannot bet on Virginia Tech while in the state of VA, either.
There are a bunch of college sports teams in Virginia, but sports bettors cannot place bets on in-state teams. These other Virginia collegiate sports teams include but aren't limited to:
No matter which of the Virginia sportsbook you opt for, you can expect a lot of overlap in the sports betting options you'll find when you open up the Virginia sportsbook. There's plenty of variation too, with some going in deep on international sports leagues and sports that are pretty obscure in America.
But the traditional four major sports leagues in the country are well-represented wherever you go. It's when you want to bet on professional table tennis live from Moscow that you may have to dig.
NFL betting is legal in Virginia, and has quickly become one of the most popular sports to bet on. A fast start to the season has the Commanders playoff chances looking ideal.
Betting on the NHL and several other hockey leagues is legal in Virginia.
NBA betting is legal is Virginia, with the Washington Wizards as a popular team to bet on.
MLB betting is legal in Virginia, along with several international baseball leagues.
Nascar is legal to wager on in Virginia, with Martinsville speedway race odds available at most sportsbooks.
Yes, Olympic betting odds are legal to wager on in Virginia all throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics and for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. Not every event is eligible to bet on, and not every sportsbook will offer the same events so check out your sportsbook of choice for Olympic betting options.
All gambling winnings in Virginia are considered taxable income, including sports betting, and it's your responsibility to report gambling income on your tax return. Fortunately, we have a Virginia gambling tax calculator to determine how much you owe.
State taxes in Virginia range from 2% to 5.75%, and you can expect to pay taxes on any Virginia sports betting revenue, as well as any winnings coming from slots, the Virginia Lottery, or horse racing.
Retail sports betting and online sports betting sites are different for obvious reasons. If you want to bet on sports in person, you can check out our page to learn everything about Virginia casinos.
In my opinion, the Virginia online sports betting experience is better all around. But judge for yourself. If you want to shop the lines, it's easier to switch between Virginia sportsbooks than to drive around to different retail sportsbooks like that of the one at Hard Rock Bristol Casino. Plus, online sports betting comes with odds boosts and promotions you'll never get on a VA casino floor.
One of the most common welcome promotions come with bonus bets attached. What does this really mean? You can't lose on your first bet up to the amount you wager. If you win, you win. If you lose, you get your amount wagered back.
Check the terms and conditions carefully because most places award you back in bonus bets toward future bets rather than cash.
The initial deposit match is another popular welcome bonus you'll commonly see from Virginia sportsbooks. With a deposit match, you'll get your initial deposit met by the house. The thing to watch out for here is the rollover requirement -- how many times you'll need to bet with this bonus money before you're allowed to withdraw any of it.
Compare this to the bet match - where the house will kick the equivalent to your stake in on a qualifying bet.
Most of the major books will offer a referral bonus - send a special link to your family, friends, coworkers or adversaries. If your contact signs up through your link and makes a deposit to their bankroll, you both get some bet credits. It's not as good as cash, but a bet credit is a bet credit.
Odds boosts simply move of the line to favor the player rather than the house. An example of this is a promotion where two players combine for more than 10 3-pointers in a basketball game.
If the odds were meant to be +175, an odds boost could notch it up to +200. Same circumstance, better payout if it comes through.
Parlay insurance is a clever innovation by online sportsbooks that encourages sports bettors to keep trying their parlays wagers. In a nutshell, parlay insurance means that if all of your legs are winning bets bar one, then you will get a refund on your wager. It’s a great option that ensures that your risk is minimized.
Here are the most popular ways to bet on sports in Virginia:
Here is a timeline of the path to legal sports betting in Virginia.
BetVirginia.com is an independent sports betting comparison website with affiliate links. What this means is if you click on one of our links that directs to an operator and you make a deposit, we’ll receive commission payment at no extra cost to you. Our operator reviews and recommendations for Virginia sportsbooks are impartial as our editorial standards are commercially independent and follow a professional methodology.
As part of the regulations laid out, every legal sports betting operator must provide access to resources to encourage responsible betting. These include limits you can set through your accounts on money and time spent over a particular period of time.
You can also opt for a "cool off" period where your account is temporarily disabled. If you think you may have a problem, please consider the Virginia Lottery Voluntary Exclusion Program or contact the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling.
Yes. Virginia sports betting became legal on April 22, 2020, when lawmakers approved Gov. Ralph Northam's amended versions of sports gambling bills. The first operator went online in January 2021. There are 13 legal Virginia betting sites as of the fall of 2024.
The available sports betting sites in Virginia include: BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, bet365, BetRivers, Betfred Sports, ESPN BET, Hard Rock Bet, Bally Bet, Fanatics sportsbook, Sporttrade, and Betr. More mobile sports betting apps and sites could make their way to Virginia over time.
There are currently 13 online sports betting operators in Virginia taking bets including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, bet365, BetRivers, Betfred Sports, Sporttrade, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, and Betr. A couple retail sportsbooks include Danville Casino and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol.
No, it's illegal to bet on politics in Virginia. There are betting odds offered by non-US based sportsbooks on Kamala Harris' presidential odds and Michelle Obama's betting odds but neither candidate can be bet on.
Author
Over the last 11 years, Joss has written about all aspects of online betting for some of the top online publications in gambling. After a career as an Army officer, he spent time in business before taking up online poker. He eventually found himself immersed in all things gambling, including casino gaming and sports betting. Now Joss spends his day crafting content to help bettors in Virginia take the emerging sports betting market head-on.
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