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Sports betting

Virginia Sports Betting

Editorial desk Updated 16 min read

Click for information on Virginia sports betting, sports betting rules, and all the live online sports betting sites in VA. 21+, T&Cs apply

Age 21+ for sports betting (18+ for lottery and racing) Entertainment, not income Help: 1-888-532-3500Advertising disclosure

If you have been looking for information on Virginia sports betting, you have come to the right place.

After the overturn of PASPA in 2018, sports betting became legal on a federal level. With each state regulating its own market, Virginia also jumped on the online sports betting train.

So let’s see what the residents of the Old Dominion can expect in terms of online sports markets in Virginia and which online sports betting operators are up and running.

Virginia Sports Betting Sites

  1. 1CS

    Caesars Sportsbook

    First Bet Match up to $1001

    New players only - NJ, WV, IA, CO, IN, MI, VA, TN, AZ only - Full T&C apply

    98/ 100Promo codeMAXSPORTRFVisit Caesars Sportsbook
  2. 2B

    BetMGM

    Sports Bonus: Risk Free First Bet up to $1,000

    New users only. Offer available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY only. Full T&C apply.

    • Auto Cash Out
    • Live Betting
    • Android & iOS App
    97/ 100Promo codeMAXBONUS1000Visit BetMGM
  3. 3B

    BetRivers

    100% First Deposit Match with Code

    New players only. Available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VA only. In order to participate in this promotion, the player needs to make a first deposit (of at least $10). Full T&C apply.

    • Parlay Slips
    • Live Betting
    • Android App
    92/ 100Promo code250MATCHVisit BetRivers
  4. 4DS

    DraftKings Sportsbook

    $50 Free Bet + Deposit Bonus Up to $1000

    If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 888-532-3500. VA only. Deposit bonus requires 25x play-thru. Deposit bonus issued as site credits. In partnership with…

    • 20% Deposit Match
    • Minimum Deposit 5%
    • iOS & Android App
  5. 5FS

    FanDuel Sportsbook

    Bet One, Get One: We’ll match your first bet placed up to $250 in free bets

    New users only. Available in VA only. Full T&C apply.

All Virginia Online Sports Betting Sites

Virginia has a regulated online market, run under the Virginia Lottery. The licensed operators include BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, bet365, Fanatics and Bally Bet; the Virginia Lottery publishes the current list of permit holders on its website. Below are the sportsbooks we review, with their welcome offers as they were published when we wrote the page. Offers change often, so check the operator’s own page before you deposit.

This is something that all VA sports betting enthusiasts are surely keen on learning.

Let’s say a word or two about online sportsbooks that are live in Virginia.

Caesars Sportsbook

Online sports betting fans worldwide are certainly familiar with Caesars Sportsbook, one of the most recognizable names in the United States of online and mobile sports betting. Now that William Hill became Caesars Sportsbook there are even more benefits for new players!

Caesars Sportsbook has prepared a tremendous offer for its new players in Virginia. Use Caesars Sportsbook Virginia Promo Code and a First Bet Match up to $1001. It is for new players only, which means it is not applicable to existing WH customers.

BetMGM

BetMGM Sportsbook is welcoming all new players from the Old Dominion with a fantastic betting promotion, “Risk-Free First Bet up to $1000” (T&Cs apply). This brand, regulated and licensed by the Virginia Lottery Board, became the third online sportsbook to launch in Virginia. And it’s already off to an excellent start.

This should not come as a surprise. BetMGM is one of the most recognizable names when it comes to brick and mortar gambling establishments. As soon its online sportsbook started operating in this state, Virginia players were eager to join and bet on many a sports betting market that is on offer.

BetRivers

When talking about sports betting in Virginia, we can’t omit a mention of BetRivers. This is another legal sports betting site licensed by the Virginia Lottery. New Virginia players who meet all the appropriate T&Cs can claim a 100% up to $250 first match deposit bonus.

This first deposit match bonus is an excellent opportunity to get a feel of what BetRivers has to offer in terms of promos, available sports leagues, and other betting options. Live betting is a prominent feature that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a popular option for many sports enthusiasts who have joined this brand in Virginia.

DraftKings

Even though this brand was originally mostly associated with DFS, its sports betting platform has managed to grow into an exceptional online sportsbook. DraftKings Sportsbook enables the players to bet on sports in Virginia and participate in premium sports wagering. As soon as it was legalized online in the Old Dominion, this brand put its best products forward in this state. Of course, DK aims to dominate the Virginia sports betting scene in the long run.

DraftKings Sportsbook quickly became synonymous with prime promotional offers and exceptional VA sports betting markets. When it comes to the former, we should mention a welcome offer that was available in Virginia when we wrote this page. It entails a “Deposit Bonus up to $1,000.” (T&Cs apply)

FanDuel

Eligible new signees interested in betting in Virginia can claim a “First Bet Risk Free up to $1,000” bonus offer that FanDuel Sportsbook offered when we wrote this page. The Washington Commanders (then the Washington Football Team) are FanDuel’s team partner, and all the appropriate sports wagering licenses were issued by the Virginia Lottery Board.

On January 21, 2021 Virginia saw the launch of its first online sportsbook when FanDuel became the first Virginia sports betting platform to operate in this state. At FanDuel Sportsbook, you can place your bets on all the major sports leagues. When it comes to betting on college sports in Virginia, this state does not allow college prop bets, which means that you will not find this betting market at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Other licensed sportsbooks in Virginia

Besides the sportsbooks above, the Virginia Lottery has licensed Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, bet365, Fanatics and Bally Bet, and the list changes as permits are issued and operators leave the state. The Virginia Lottery publishes the current list of permit holders; check it before you deposit.

All of them follow the same rules: you must be 21 or older and physically in Virginia, your location is checked with geolocation software, and bets on games involving Virginia college teams and on college player props are not offered.

VA Sports Betting Apps

Virginia players can make the most of what the online sportsbooks in this state have to offer, either using the website of the sportsbook in question or downloading a dedicated app. Usually, downloading and installing these apps follows a simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can do so in minutes.

  • Navigate to your preferred sportsbook operator using your mobile device or computer’s web browser.
  • Android users will have to look for a “Download for Android” button in order to download and install the Android Package File, or APK, necessary to install the sportsbook app. Google Play does not allow real-money gambling apps.
  • iOS users will simply be able to navigate to the App Store or tap the Download for iOS button and download their sports betting apps of choice.
  • Web browser users not on mobile will have to download and enable the GeoComply plugin in order to continue, as all sports betting apps are restricted to state borders. Users on mobile will simply have to enable location services on their app of choice to continue.
  • Sign up with your preferred operator and make your first deposit to be able to play. Don’t forget to take advantage of welcome offers before you deposit– most sportsbooks offer incentives like a risk free bet, free bets, free betting credit to new users.

When talking about available mobile betting apps in the state of Virginia, we’ll provide you with a brief overview of the top tree you can download at the moment.

FanDuel Sportsbook App

If you are looking for an app that brings you all the latest odds at a glance, all the popular sports markets, swift and secure deposits and payouts, and an assortment of different promos, then the FanDuel Sportsbook app is ideal for you. On January 21, 2021 Virginia saw the launch of this brand and the app became available.

To download it, you will need to be located in the state of Virginia and be at least 21 years of age, of course. FanDuel offers moneylines, futures, spreads, parlays, teasers, props, and anything in between. Download the app, create your account, find the team and the outcome you want to bet on, and submit your bet slip with ease! Also, don’t forget about the fantastic signup bonus you can claim. Make sure to give FanDuel a go for a premium mobile betting experience.

BetMGM Sportsbook App

BetMGM app enables you to bet on all the major professional sports events and your favorite teams with ease.

Enhanced offers, many different betting formats, both pre-game and live markets, and competitive odds are just a sample of the features you get with this sportsbook app. Also, this brand boasts of offering top-class customer service, which is good to know in case you run into any issues.

Sports Betting Rules in VA

The residents in the Old Dominion had been waiting in anticipation to see when Virginia could legalize sports betting. Finally, in 2020, the House and the Senate passed the required bills which received approval after minor amendments. (For example, one of the amendments was that all professional teams could offer sports betting. As a result, the Washington Commanders entered a partnership with FanDuel and received a sports betting permit. It goes without saying that this was pretty exciting news for all Washington Commanders supporters.)

With this in place, Governor Ralph Northam signed the legislation in spring 2020, which meant that sports betting was legalized. The first online sportsbook opened its doors to Virginia players on January 21, 2021, and many more were quick to follow.

Now, let’s see what the players in the state of Virginia can bet on. First, we should note that horse betting in Virginia is regulated, too. Many horse racing fans will be happy to hear this. In addition to all this, players can bet on all the major sports markets and take advantage of an assortment of pre-game and live betting options.

However, we should note that betting on collegiate sports is another story. The state of Virginia does not allow betting on college teams from the state. So, you won’t be able to find these college sports markets in any of the available online sportsbooks.

Online Gambling in VA

Now, we’ll elaborate a bit on the gambling activities that the players in the state of Virginia can participate in. As mentioned earlier, the first online sportsbooks to launch in Virginia went online on January 21, 2021.

Governor Ralph Northam gave online sports betting a green light in 2020. However, it wasn’t until January 2021 that the state of Virginia got its first online betting operator. Several other sportsbooks were quick to jump on the online sports betting train.

Now, let’s take a look at which activities are legalized for online betting in this state.

  • Sports Betting
  • Horse Race Betting
  • Lottery
  • eSports
  • Fantasy Sports

What’s extremely important to note as far as sports betting is concerned is that college props are off-limits. Also, Virginia players cannot bet on collegiate or university teams based in the state. As Virginia does not allow these bets, you won’t find these markets in any of the legal Virginia sportsbooks.

Also, as you can see, online casinos are notably missing: Virginia has not legalized them, and its 2026 legislative session ended without a bill. Our Virginia casinos page covers the casinos that are open in the state.

How to Sign up at Online Sportsbooks

Signing up at VA online sportsbooks does not differ from the signup procedure in all the other US states that have legalized sports betting. All players need to be 21 or older and have to be physically located within the Virginia state lines. This means that whether you are in Norfolk, Richmond, Alexandria, Bristol Danville or anywhere in between, as long as you are within the state lines, you will be able to open your betting account.

Here’s how the registration process goes.

  • First, you need to go to the sports betting site you want to join and click “Register.”
  • Then, provide the requested personal and contact information (e.g., your name and address, date of birth, etc.) and enter the four last digits of your SSN.
  • Select a username and a password you would like to use for your sports betting account in Virginia.
  • Apply a promo code if you have one.
  • Provide any additional information that the sportsbook in question requires.
  • Confirm you are of legal age to open your sports betting account.
  • Finally, accept the brand’s terms and conditions and other obligatory policies and finalize the registration procedure.

Keep in mind that you will need to verify your account at some point and prove your identity. You can find more information about this on the sports betting site that you want to join, so make sure to look into it.

Also, you will need to install a GeoComply plugin or enable the location services to prove that you are in the state. With all these details in place, you can take advantage of all that various sports betting platforms in Virginia have to offer.

Summary

The online betting scene in Virginia is finally bustling. There are quite a few prominent online sportsbooks that have launched in this state. Virginia players have access to all the premium markets and major sports. Also, they can easily place their bets on all their favorite teams.

Overall, we have witnessed a fantastic start to sports betting online in this state.

FAQ

Let’s answer some of the most common questions that players have about Virginia sports betting.

Is sports betting legalized in the state of Virginia?

Yes, it is. Virginia legalized sports betting in 2020, and the first online sportsbook in this state launched in January 2021.

Who can join an online sportsbook in Virginia?

Online sports betting in Virginia is restricted to everyone 21 and older who are physically within the state. You don’t have to be a resident of the state of Virginia to sign up with the Virginia sports betting app and play for real money. However, you do need to physically be located in Virginia.

Where can I bet online in Virginia?

You can place your bets on several legal betting sites in this state, as well as in their dedicated apps. These licensed sportsbooks accept Virginia players: BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, theScore Bet, bet365, Fanatics and Bally Bet.

Who regulates online gambling in Virginia?

The regulatory body that oversees legal gambling activities in this state is Virginia Lottery.

Can I download betting apps in Virginia?

Of course, you can download the betting apps that are available. Note that you will need to be physically located in Virginia and older than 21 to place a bet.

Can I bet on Virginia college sports?

Virginia does not allow college props or wagering on college and university teams from Virginia.

Disclaimer: Problem gambling is a serious issue. If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-532-3500.

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