Virginia Betting Sites

Want to find out more about legal online betting in Virginia? This page serves as your go-to guide for understanding the state’s betting laws and discovering the top Virginia sports betting sites. Whether you’re an experienced bettor or new to online sports betting, we’ve got you covered with all the essential information you need. Explore the exciting world of sports betting in Virginia and find the perfect place to wager.

Our Top Virginia Sports Betting Sites - September 2023

Is Online Betting Legal in Virginia?

Yes, online betting is legal in Virginia. Governor Ralph Northam signed the necessary legislation in April 2020, authorizing online sportsbooks to operate in the state and designating the Virginia Lottery as the industry’s regulator. FanDuel was the first licensed online sportsbook to arrive in Virginia, partnering with the Washington Nationals to launch on January 21, 2021. DraftKings, BetMGM, Rivers Casino, Caesars Virginia, and other top sportsbooks followed. Bettors must be at least 21 years old and physically present in Virginia to place bets through Virginia’s online sportsbooks. Betting on college sports is permitted, though not on events where Virginia college teams like the Richmond Spiders and the Old Dominion Monarchs are involved. 

While online casinos remain off-limits in Virginia, land-based casino gaming in the state has seen notable developments. The betting laws passed in 2020 also proposed the construction of five brick-and-mortar casinos, in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond. Bristol was the first to go live, with the temporary Hard Rock Bristol Casino opening in July 2022. However, the distinction of becoming Virginia’s first permanent brick-and-mortar casino went to Rush Street Gaming’s Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened its doors in January 2023. Virginia’s third casino, Caesars Entertainment’s Danville Casino, opened as a temporary facility in May 2023. Sports betting is available at all three venues.  

In addition, Norfolk's HeadWaters Resort & Casino, operated by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, is expected to open in the second half of 2024. Richmond voters initially rejected a casino proposal in November 2021, but the possibility of a new referendum on the November ballot came after approval from the state lottery and a local judge in July 2023.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Virginia

Sports betting is proving hugely popular in Virginia, with a fantastic selection of sports available to bet on. From exciting action on the football field to the timeless thrill of horse racing, there’s something for every sports fan. Below we discuss some of the best-loved sports to bet on in Virginia — whether you want to back your favorite team or simply enjoy the excitement of sports betting, you’re sure to find something to suit:

NFL

Despite not having its own NFL team, support for neighboring teams, such as the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens, leaves Virginia’s enthusiasm for football in no doubt. The NFL serves up no shortage of betting options, making it one of the most exciting sports to bet on. From regular season clashes to the legendary Super Bowl, it’s all on the menu. 

NBA

Virginians love their basketball, and although the state doesn’t have its own major league team, the NBA remains a popular sport for betting on. Nearby teams like the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets allow fans to engage with the excitement of the NBA season. For bettors, regular season matchups, the NBA All-Star Game, and the exhilarating NBA Finals are all part of the package. 

MLB

Baseball is big business in Virginia, and with the Washington Nationals being the closest MLB team, fans have a local team to root for throughout the season. Betting on MLB games online, including the highly anticipated World Series, is a popular choice for sports fans in the state, adding an extra thrill to the national pastime with a wide choice of MLB betting opportunities. 

NHL

When it comes to the National Hockey League, hockey fans in Virginia tend to support nearby NHL teams like the Washington Capitals or the Carolina Hurricanes. NHL betting offers a variety of exciting options for online sports bettors, allowing fans to wager on everything from regular season games to the prestigious Stanley Cup, making it a popular choice all round. 

Horse Racing

Horse racing has a special place in Virginia’s sporting heritage, with renowned events like the Virginia Gold Cup and Virginia Derby drawing enthusiastic crowds. When it comes to betting on the action, options include in-person wagering at Colonial Downs, as well as at off-track betting (OTB) facilities like Rosie’s Gaming Emporium. For online bettors, FanDuel offers the chance to bet on horse racing and sports with a single account.

Betting Markets Available in Virginia

When you bet on sports, understanding the different betting markets available to you can help you make smarter decisions. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular types of bet you can place in Virginia. Check them out:

Moneyline

The moneyline bet is a straightforward and popular option in sports betting. It involves picking the winner of a game or match, with the odds assigned to each team or player indicating potential payouts. Positive odds represent the underdog, while negative odds indicate the favorite. If you’re a beginner, the moneyline bet makes a great starting point. 

Parlay

The parlay bet is an exciting betting option that combines multiple single bets into one. To win, all the individual bets within the parlay must be successful. Although the risk is higher, the potential profit is significantly greater. Some Virginia betting sites offer same-game parlays and parlay insurance, with the latter option refunding your stake if one pick lets you down. 

Over/Under

The over/under bet, also known as the totals bet, predicts the combined score of both teams or players in an event. The sportsbook sets a total, and you can wager on whether the actual combined score will be over or under that total. It’s a fun way to enjoy a game, focusing on the total points or goals scored, rather than the winner or loser. 

Against the Spread (ATS)

Leveling things out between favorites and underdogs, betting ‘against the spread’ is popular in team-based sports like football and basketball. Instead of winners, ATS bets involve predicting whether the team will cover a set point spread. A team listed as -5.5 must win by more than 5.5 points, while a team listed as +5.5 must win or lose by fewer than 5.5 points.

Betting Apps Available in Virginia

Betting apps have proved popular for sports fans in Virginia, offering a user-friendly and super-convenient way to bet on sports. With a betting app, you can access a wide range of sports betting markets, make bets on the go, and stay updated with real-time game scores and betting odds. Apps often come loaded with fantastic features like live streaming and in-play betting, while also ensuring top-notch security and offering optional push notifications to keep you updated with the latest betting offers. All Virginia sportsbooks offer a mobile app, and below, you can find out more about three of our favorites: 

FanDuel

Virginia’s first licensed sportsbook, FanDuel sets the bar high with a user-friendly app for Android and iOS. The app boasts a slick design and offers a ton of sports to bet on, including all the major leagues, as well as things like NASCAR and UFC. Competitive odds come as standard, while exciting promotions, like the ‘No Sweat First Bet’ bonus refunding up to $1,000 for losing first bets and a $50 refer-a-friend offer, add to the appeal. Cool features like same game parlays, parlay insurance, daily fantasy sports, and a bet and watch perk for horse racing fans also help FanDuel to stand out from the crowd. Sign up takes just two minutes, offering a hassle-free way to start betting on sports in Virginia.

BetMGM

The BetMGM app brings an unmissable sports betting experience to Virginia, boasting a wide variety of sporting events to bet on, from the PGA Tour to the Women’s World Cup. The app’s competitive odds and attractive promotions, including a generous welcome bonus of up to $1000 in free bets if your first bet is a bust and $100 refer-a-friend bonuses, help it to stand out. Customers also benefit from excellent in-app customer support and exciting features like live betting and cash out. With an easy parlay generator for added fun and the opportunity to earn BetMGM Rewards Points with every wager, BetMGM ensures its place on our list of top Virginia betting apps.

Caesars 

Caesars is making waves in Virginia, not only with the opening of Danville Casino, but also with its brilliant sportsbook app. The Caesars app offers a wide range of sports to bet on, from major leagues like NFL and NBA to international events. Customers also enjoy competitive odds and tempting promotions, including a welcome package comprising a risk-free bet of up to $1,250 for first wagers and a guaranteed 1,000 Reward Credits and 1,000 Tier Credits. Every subsequent wager also earns Rewards Credits for bonuses, sports tickets, dining, getaways, and VIP experiences. This user-friendly app also offers live betting and customer support, making it a top pick with bettors. 

Payment Methods Available at Virginia Betting Sites

Virginia sportsbooks accept a variety of safe and convenient payment methods. Below, you can find out more about some of the different options you’ll find on the cashier page:

Bank Cards

Bank cards, such as debit and credit cards, are a popular payment option at Virginia’s online sportsbooks. Major card providers like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are commonly accepted, offering fast and easy deposits that will qualify for most sportsbook bonus offers. However, keep in mind that some banks might not let you use your card for online betting.

e-Wallets

e-Wallets like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are popular with online bettors because they’re convenient and safe. With e-wallets, you can store funds in a digital account and easily make deposits and withdrawals at Virginia betting sites without revealing any sensitive financial details. These platforms also offer quick processing times, but sometimes you might have to pay a small fee when withdrawing money from the e-wallet back to your bank.  

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are a safe and easy way to enjoy online sports betting while also helping you manage your betting bankroll. One favorite option for bettors in Virginia is the Play+ prepaid card, which is often associated with specific sportsbook brands. With Play+, you can add money from your bank accounts or credit cards whenever you want. The great thing is, unlike some other prepaid methods, Play+ works for withdrawals too.

Wire Transfer

On Virginia’s betting websites, you can often use wire transfers, which are a more old-fashioned payment choice. High rollers often like this option because it’s good for bigger transactions, and you can use it to pay directly from your bank account securely. But keep in mind, using a wire transfer might mean paying extra fees, as well as waiting a bit longer for transactions to wrap up compared to other banking options.

Virginia Betting Timeline

The launch of legal online betting in Virginia was a few years in the making. Here’s an overview of the key milestones that have shaped sports betting in the state: 

2018 – The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May, allowing individual states to legalize sports betting.

2019 – Virginia lawmakers introduced study bills to legalize sports betting, marking the state’s initial efforts to explore the potential of a regulated betting market. 

2020 – In April, the General Assembly passed HB 896 and SB 384, approving online sports betting. Governor Ralph Northam subsequently signed the bills before they were enacted into law in July. The Virginia Lottery Board began accepting applications from online sports betting operators in September. 

2021 – Virginia celebrated the arrival of legal online sports betting with the launch of FanDuel in January. Several other online sportsbooks followed, offering residents the opportunity to place bets on a variety of sports and events.

2022 – Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock opened in July, initially as a temporary facility that is set to be replaced by a full-scale resort in 2024. The casino includes a retail sportsbook among its amenities.

2023 – Virginia’s first permanent land-based casino, Rush Street Gaming’s Rivers Casino Portsmouth, opened in January. In May, Caesars Entertainment opened a temporary facility at Danville Casino. Both venues offer retail sports betting.

Compare Virginia Betting Sites and Sign Up

Ready to place your bets? Simply compare the Virginia betting sites featured on this page, find your favorite, then click through to sign up and claim your welcome bonus. 

Frequently Asked Questions