Virginia Sports Betting: Best Virginia Betting Sites in 2024

Sports betting hit Virginia in early 2021. Now with 14 online sportsbooks from a possible 18, the state boasts one of the nation's most impressive gambling industries. BetRivers, FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings stand as four of the most popular picks among Virginia bettors, and each platform packs a unique welcome offer specially catered to newcomers. 

Here, I delve into everything you need to know about Virginia's sports betting scene. From laws on what you can and cannot bet on to crucial information on the best promotions in the Old Dominion, this guide leaves no stone unturned.

Is Online Sports Betting legal in Virginia?

Online sports betting is legal in Virginia following the passing of bills SB 384 and HB 896 in 2020. The state's first virtual sportsbook, FanDuel, went live in January 2021, and 13 betting sites have since joined the fray. With up to 18 online licenses available, there's very little room for further additions. I expect operators to fight it out for the last handful of spots over the next several months and years. 

Today, users can bet on the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, tennis, snooker, rugby, motorsports, and much more. Tremendous bonuses tend to go hand-in-hand with many of the most popular tournaments across the globe, so keep an eye out for new deals on your favorite site's 'Promotions' page. 

Virginia Betting Info 

• Is Online Sports Betting Legal? Yes
• Virginia sports betting launch date? January 21, 2021
• What is the Legal Age to Gamble? 21+
• How many Sportsbooks are Available? 14
• Are Retail Sportsbooks Available? Yes, but permanent locations have yet to launch
• Virginia College Sports Betting? No
• Who is the State Regulator? The Virginia Lottery

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Virginia

Virginia's online sports betting scene is incomparable against most other states. The state boasts a whopping 14 online sportsbooks, making it one of the most highly populated regions for sports betting site action. Here, I detail four Virginia sportsbooks with the best features, most competitive odds, and uniquely rewarding promotions.

DraftKings Sportsbook Virginia

DraftKings established itself as a stalwart in Virginia's sports betting industry almost immediately in 2021, accruing customers statewide. Now, the Virginia sportsbook delivers exclusive promotions and highly competitive odds to all who sign up.

Packed with 20+ sports, regularly refreshed offers, and several accessible payment options, DraftKings stands as one of the easiest sportsbooks to use in the area. It's even available for mobile betting on iOS and Android – so feel free to take your bets with you while out and about.

DraftKings Sportsbook excels in its range of live betting markets. Expect around 50 in-play events on any given weekday and hundreds over the weekend, most fitted with deep wagering options. Combined with the fact that newly registered bettors are eligible for $150 in bonus bets for wagering $5 on any market, Draftkings can easily be considered one of the best online sports betting sites in Virginia.

Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia

Although still a relatively young product, Fanatics Sportsbook has risen in popularity since bursting on the scene in Virginia in 2023. Solely available through an app for iOS and Android, this online sportsbook caters to users of a wide breadth of interests – including those who like to indulge in casino games. You see, the app is much more than just a sportsbook as it links to the operator's casino leg.

FanCash — Fanatics Sportsbook's virtual rewards currency — is earned by placing wagers on your favorite teams, leagues, and sports. FanCash is exchangeable for special prizes, like Fanatics merch or sportsbook bonuses. It's an intuitive way to get bettors involved and certainly grabbed my attention upon signing up. 

BetMGM Sportsbook Virginia

Another Virginia online sportsbook to launch during the early days of the state's sports betting journey, BetMGM serves as the place to be for all things rewards and promotions. Starting with the MGM Rewards Program, BetMGM places once-in-a-lifetime trips, special boosts, prize draws, and ticket discounts on the table for all eligible bettors. 

The luxurious side of BetMGM is nice, but it's not what most punters seek out when making a new sports betting account. BetMGM's list of 22 sports, 5+ simultaneous existing customer packages, and top-of-the-line live-streaming facilities are the main attractions here.

This is all bolstered by the BetMGM's Promo of $1,500. The deal protects first-time losses up to a fairly hefty limit, allowing you to take another shot if your opening wager lets you down.

ESPN Bet Virginia

A newcomer in the sports betting arena, ESPN Bet has already established itself as one of the finest online sportsbooks in Virginia. The site's clean interface makes it easy for sports bettors to navigate different betting markets, while its special features — like 'In The News' — help ESPN Bet to stand out above run-of-the-mill offerings on competing platforms. 

'In The News' connects ESPN Bet to its sports news sister site. It takes a major story from the week and transforms it into a wager, with headlines like 'Player A to score against former team' giving this special feature a truly unique feel. 

Two new customer bonuses await bettors at ESPN Bet. A 200% deposit match bonus with up to $500 in cashback sits before new registrants, while a $100 bonus bet is available to all who bet on the site for the first time. You can only choose one welcome bonus, so pick the one that best suits your needs. 

Virginia Sports Betting Timeline & Legislation Updates

• 2018 — PASPA — the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. States are now free to create laws on sports betting. 
• 2019 — Virginia legislators open discussions on sports betting for the first time. They agree to conduct a study analyzing sportsbooks in other states. If the results bear fruit, lawmakers will convene to outline the next steps. 
• Within months, the study clearly outlines that a Virginia sports betting industry would aid the local economy greatly. Lawmakers get to work on bills right away, and the final drafts are submitted before the year is out. 
• 2020 — Two bills — SB 384 and HB 896 — reach the office of Gov. Ralph Northam. Gov. Northam amends the motions as he sees fit, and sends the bill back to be reviewed by legislators. 
• Both bills pass in April 2020, legalizing sports betting in Virginia. Later that year, four retail sportsbook venues are given the green light to begin construction. 
• 2021 — Virginia's online sports betting industry revs into action via FanDuel. Legal sports betting proves an instant hit, with DraftKings, BetMGM, Golden Nugget, Barstool, and PointsBet just some of the brands to enter the state before the end of the year. 
• 2022 — The Virginia Lottery reveals that upwards of $50 million has been funneled to the state as a direct result of introducing sports betting. 
• New bills that would have legalized college sports betting are sent to the chopping block by lawmakers. This topic is not revisited. 
• 2023 — Virginia's state lottery reports continued success in the sports betting industry, with year-on-year revenue improving by more than 20%. 
• Fanatics Sportsbook takes PointsBet's Virginia sports betting license following the merger between both companies. 
• 2024 — The first exit of 2024 sees SI Sportsbook cease operations in Virginia. 

Virginia Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

Virginia is home to virtually every top legal sports betting site in the US. With only a handful of online sportsbook slots remaining in the state, I expect the following operators to battle for a position in the Old Dominion.

ClutchBet Sportsbook

ClutchBet is a niche product that keeps betting simple. Boasting 15+ sports betting markets, the site delivers 5 or more offers for existing customers at any one time — making it one of the best platforms for consistent sports bettors. 

I love ClutchBet's 'Quick Parlay' feature. With it, users can create one-of-a-kind parlays across multiple events from the same sport. Just select your preferred sport or league and click on the odds associated with an outcome to develop your customized parlay. 

Plus, count down the hours until upcoming major events via the 'Up Next' section. A plethora of matchups reside in this tab, including tennis tournaments, basketball, soccer, and more. A real-time timer tells you exactly how long to wait until the event in question – so you'll never miss a beat.

Borgata Sportsbook

Live streaming, in-play betting markets, and 20+ sports form Borgata's best-selling products. The operator plays host to niche events as well as high-viewership games, with every offering backed up by rewarding odds. 

Although the online sportsbook has come under fire for lacking sports betting promos — particularly when it comes to new customers — there are plenty of other avenues to earn rewards with Borgata. The 'Easy Parlay' area is one such route. 

There, you can view the recent form of specific teams, and sift between spreads, moneyline odds, totals, and more. Select the legs you want to take by clicking on the odds, then edit your easy parlay via the betslip. Multiple sports qualify for this feature, so head to Borgata today to check it out yourself. 

BetParx Sportsbook

A relatively little-known sports betting site with much to prove, BetParx is the home of all things niche. Boasting thousands of markets across its 25 sports and with live betting to boot, you'd be hard-pressed to find somewhere better to indulge in tennis, darts, rugby league, or soccer. 

$125 in bonus bets is up for grabs for all new players here. Just wager $10 to get involved — if your bet wins, BetParx pays out $125 as 5x $25 bonus bets to be used over the following week.

Best Sportsbook Promo in Virginia

The sheer volume of Virginia sports betting sites leaves the state littered with various offers. Bonus bets, match deposit deals, and rewards programs stand as the most popular options for sports bettors — and I've outlined the best packages, below.

FanDuel Sportsbook Bet $5 Get $200

Whether you're into basketball, soccer, baseball, football, or something else – FanDuel's latest welcome bonus caters to players of all interests. Just deposit $10 and wager $5 on any sports betting market listed on the platform to qualify. 

If your wager wins, FanDuel will pay out $200 in bonus bets over the next 72 hours. The best part about this Virginia sports betting offer is that you're not beholden to strict terms and conditions on how to use bonus bet tokens. Feel free to spend as much or as little as you like while working your way through the $200. Just remember to use the entire amount before 7 days elapse – this is the cut-off period for FanDuel's new customer bonus. 

Hard Rock Bet $100 Bonus Bet

Hard Rock Bet joined the Virginia sports betting market in 2022 and has since onboarded a solid number of customers in the state. Today, new registrants are eligible for a handy $100 bonus bet package upon losing a first wager. All you need to do to get in on this deal is deposit and stake $10 on any available market.

Best of all, you'll receive the full bonus amount as soon as your wager settles as a loss. The site provides a 7-day timeframe for users to work through the $100 boost – so keep an eye on the clock as you continue wagering on the platform. 

Round robins and teasers are excluded from the Hard Rock Bet welcome bonus.

Requirements to Play at Virginia Sports Betting Sites

• Minimum Age Requirement - Sports betting in Virginia is open to all aged 21+.
• Located in Virginia - Virginia sports betting apps and sites utilize geolocation technology to ensure all users are within state lines when betting. 
• Pay Tax - The tax rate on winnings earned from sports wagers at online sportsbooks in Virginia varies from 2% to 5.75% depending on the amount won. 

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Virginia

Bets on in-state college teams are out of the equation, leaving Virginia online sportsbooks to offer major sports leagues and college events involving sides located outside state lines. Here, I run through the most popular leagues and teams to bet on in the Old Dominion State.

Virginia Sport Leagues

Although the state doesn't have a major league team, all four of the nation's biggest divisions remain firm favorites among Virginia residents. The MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL garner attention from all ends of Virginia throughout the year, with the MLS and English Premier League betting markets also attracting plenty of bettors. NCAA action is also incredibly popular, but betting options are limited to teams based in other states. 

Virginia Teams to Bet On

The Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers represent Virginia's favorite NFL franchises. NBA's Washington Wizards, NHL's Washington Capitals, and MLB's Washington Nationals make up the majority of support for franchises in other big leagues. 

Betting Types Available At Virginia Online Sportsbooks

• Moneyline - Bets involving one pick.
• Parlays - Wagers comprised of two or more picks.
• Totals - A bet on the total number of times a particular statistical event will occur. 
• Point Spreads - Before the game, sportsbooks offering this market will hit one team with a disadvantage and grant the other side an advantage. If the disadvantaged team overturns the deficit, bets on that selection win. Should the advantaged side maintain its lead, wagers on that side win. 
• Futures - Bets where the outcome is generally decided at the end of the season; MVP awards, Super Bowl winners, Top Scorer. 
• Prop Bets - Wagers not involving the result of the game; Player A to Score First. 
• Live Bets - Bets on events that have already begun.

What You Can't Bet On In Virginia

• In-state College Teams - Betting on college sides located in Virginia is banned.
• NFL Draft - Virginia is one of 6 states where betting on the NFL Draft is not allowed. 
• Politics - Sportsbooks are not permitted to price political outcomes via betting markets in Virginia. 

Can you bet on Virginia College Sports?

College betting is allowed as long as the event doesn't involve a Virginia-based team. This means you're free to wager on major college tournaments — like March Madness — when a team from Virginia isn't playing.

Responsible Gaming in Virginia

The Virginia Lottery is dedicated to preventing problem gambling among those who use Virginia online sports betting services. There are several options for anyone who wishes to get support from professional organizations, with The Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline available via 888-352-3500. Chat and text options are also available. 

The Virginia Council on Problem Gambling is another free avenue for support. This not-for-profit gambling help service is contactable over the phone and through a contact form. 

To self-exclude from all gambling facilities in Virginia, register for the Voluntary Exclusion Program. Headed by the Virginia Lottery, this program allows players to set self-exclusion periods between two years and a lifetime. 

Other Types of Gambling in Virginia

• Real Money Casino - A temporary retail casino is available at Hard Rock Bet's establishment. Permanent locations are expected to open by the end of 2024. Online casinos remain banned.
• Sweepstakes - Players can try blackjack, roulette, slots, and other popular casino games at sweepstakes sites in Virginia. 
• Horse Racing - Horse racing wagers are available at online platforms, like TwinSpires, or by visiting the Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County.
• Poker - Retail and online poker are unavailable in Virginia.

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

• Nebraska - Nebraska legalized retail sports betting in 2021. Although there's been no movement on the online front, the state should warm to the idea of internet-based sports wagering in Nebraska before the decade comes to a close. Watch this space. 
• Texas - Sports betting has received major support from Texas legislators and residents. The state Legislature reconvenes in 2025 — and sportsbook wagering in Texas is expected to be on the docket. Failed attempts in 2023 have done little to diminish the hope of keen bettors. 
• Minnesota - An agreement between Minnesota tribes, charities, and legislators has paved the way for legal sports betting in Minnesota by the end of 2024. According to the latest proposal, fantasy sports betting would also be permitted. 
• Mississippi - Online sports betting is technically legal in Mississippi...but there's a catch: users must visit a retail casino to access virtual sportsbook facilities. A bill to introduce remote sports betting in Mississippi is among the proposals to be discussed by legislators during 2024's session. 

Overview of Virginia Sports Betting Sites

Virginia's sports betting scene is an open and accessible arena. Anyone who wishes to back NFL teams, wager against NHL rivals, create parlays on NBA Playoffs, or test the water in a niche market can do so. As long as you refrain from wagering on college events involving a Virginia side, you're good. 

At its peak, 16 online sportsbooks operated simultaneously in the Old Dominion. That figure is now down to 14 — leaving 4 slots to be taken up by interested parties. Even if the current slate of options were to remain for the rest of the decade, Virginia would boast one of the healthiest environments for sports betting in the US.