Last updated on: September 23rd, 2023
2023 Legal Virginia Sports Betting
Everything needed to participate in legal Virginia sports betting is found on this page, for both online and in person options. The legal VA sports betting market launched in January of 2021 but offshore sportsbooks have been accepting players of the Old Dominion State for over a decade. If looking to wager on in state colleges or any collegiate props, the state regulated books are not for you. Offshore sportsbooks that take Virginia players like Bovada will take all of your college bets anytime during the year, along with all other bet types from sports all over the world. So, the 2023 legal Virginia sports betting scene is wide open for action.
• Virginia sports betting sites like Bovada have been accepting players for over a decade.
• While not as large as online, the retail sports betting market is up and running in Virginia.
| Rank | Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
75% Up To $750 Read Review | Visit Bovada! |
| 2 |  |
50% New Member Bonus!Read Review | Visit BetOnline! |
| 3 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit MyBookie! |
| 4 |  |
100% Up To $300Read Review | Visit Xbet! |
| 5 |  |
50% Up To $1,000 Read Review | Visit SportsBetting! |
Is Bovada Legal In Virginia?
It is legal to use Bovada in Virginia to bet on sports online. Even opening their own industry, Virginia sports betting laws never mentioned offshore sites. This means the legal sports betting sites that accept VA players include Bovada without any issues against the laws. Bovada is one of the best legal sports betting sites, giving you more betting options than any local book.
#1
Bovada Sportsbook
Virginia’s All-Around Online Sportsbook
Bovada is the best sportsbook for players in Virginia, without question. An excellent website, mobile and computer usage, and a large variety of odds from one of the most reliable bookmakers in the world makes Bovada a slam dunk choice for Virginia’s many sports bettors. Make sure to check them out.
Rating: 
- Quick Sign Up Process
- Deep Player Props
- Welcome Bonuses
- Live Betting Features
- Instant Banking Methods
Is BetOnline A Legal Virginia Sportsbook?
#2
BetOnline Sportsbook
Great Betting Lines And Odds
BetOnline is a very good sportsbook, especially for people in VA who want to bet on their local college teams. The regulated books in VA will not be allowed to offer odds on them, but sportsbooks like BetOnline easily process wagers on the Virginia Cavaliers and the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Rating:
- Reliable Banking Methods
- Strong Server Connection
- 10+ Year Track Record
- Huge Assortment Of Odds
- No App Mobile Betting
Virginia Sports Betting And Gambling Laws
The sports betting laws in Virginia have changed over the last few years. Beforehand, there weren’t any specific Virginia sports betting laws. Regulating in 2020, Virginia lawmakers changed this. Every Virginia gambling law is in the Virginia Code. Section 18.2-325 define illegal gambling. But, the majority of Virginia sportsbook laws focus on books, not the gamblers. If you are looking to dive deeper into the question, “Is sports betting legal in Virginia”, check out Article 1 and 2 of Chapter 40 in Title 58.1.
The Outlook For Legalized Sports Betting In Virginia In 2023
Though 2023 legal Virginia sports betting is up and running, there will always be changes. The next focus is the launching of retail sportsbooks in Virginia. Many places began construction on a permanent Virginia sportsbook setup. This means many are preparing for the inevitable launch of sportsbooks in Virginia.
Aside from this, a removal of certain betting restrictions could play a role. In 2022, the Virginia Senate filed VA SB 576. This would have removed the prohibition on Virginia college teams betting. The measure passed in the Senate 23-17 but the House tabled it. This could take focus again in the 2023 legislative session.
Virginia Sports Betting Timeline
2021-2022
- Apr 14, 2022 – Virginia lawmakers opt to ban the slogan “Virginia is for bettors” after the parody of “Virginia is for lovers” is used to advertise gambling.
- Feb 7, 2022 – Virginia lawmakers are mulling an end to their in-state collegiate gambling restrictions.
- Oct 14, 2021 – Golden Nugget opens up in VA, becoming the newest online sportsbook in the state.
- Mar 29, 2021 – VA Gov. Ralph Northam expands the number of sportsbooks that can be in VA to 12.
- Feb 4, 2021 – William Hill opens up in VA, giving them five online sportsbooks in advance of the Super Bowl.
- Jan 21, 2021 – FanDuel launches early in Virginia as the first online sportsbook in the state.
2019-2020
- Oct 15, 2020 – The Virginia Lottery begins accepting applications from prospective VA sportsbooks.
- Jul 16, 2020 – Virginia’s sports betting rules and regulations are now available for all to see.
- Apr 22, 2020 – Gov. Ralph Northam signs House Bill 896, House Bill 4, and Senate Bill 384, which regulate sports betting in VA. He only does so after the House and Senate pass emergency amendments to them in order to get his signature.
- Apr 12, 2020 – Gov. Ralph Northam has sent the proposed sports betting bills back to the state legislature for amendments, as he does not want to sign them in their current form.
- Feb 25, 2020 – VA HB 4, the major bill that would regulate sports betting in VA, has passed the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.
- Feb 12, 2020 – There are multiple possible bills that would regulate sports betting in VA that could pass in 2020.
- Mar 30, 2019 – Gov. Ralph Northam signs SB 1126. The bill would regulate gaming in Virginia, but requires an affirmative re-enactment in next year’s legislative session.
Where is Sports Betting Legal?
What Teams Can I Bet On In Virginia?
Virginia is one of the largest states in the US without a major sports team. Nevertheless, Virginians love their sports. Basically, they are the home of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, who play in nearby Landover, Maryland. With the team’s headquarters and training facility in Ashburn and Richmond, Virginia, they represent VA. But, it doesn’t matter. Fans of any team can bet at Virginia sportsbooks and find the odds they want. Legal betting sites that take Virginia players such as Bovada have whatever you need. Also, Bovada allows for bets on in-state college sports teams and players, unlike local Virginia sportsbooks.
Popular Teams To Bet On In Virginia
| Washington Commanders – NFL | Washington Capitals – NHL | Washington Wizards – NBA |
| Washington Nationals – MLB | George Mason Patriots – NCAA(D1) | Hampton Pirates and Lady Pirates – NCAA(D1) |
| James Madison Dukes – NCAA(D1) | Liberty Flames and Lady Flames – NCAA(D1) | Longwood Lancers – NCAA(D1) |
| Norfolk State Spartans – NCAA(D1) | Old Dominion Monarchs – NCAA(D1) | Radford Highlanders – NCAA(D1) |
| Richmond Spiders – NCAA(D1) | VCU Rams – NCAA(D1) | Virginia Cavaliers – NCAA(D1) |
| VMI Keydets – NCAA(D1) | Virginia Tech Hokies – NCAA(D1) | William & Mary Tribe – NCAA(D1) |
| Emory and Henry Wasps – NCAA(D2) | Virginia State Trojans – NCAA(D2) | Virginia Union Panthers – NCAA(D2) |
| Virginia–Wise Cavaliers – NCAA(D2) | Averett Cougars – NCAA(D3) | Bridgewater Eagles – NCAA(D3) |
| Christopher Newport Captains – NCAA(D3) | Eastern Mennonite Royals – NCAA(D3) | Ferrum Panthers – NCAA(D3) |
| Hampden–Sydney Tigers – NCAA(D3) | Hollins – NCAA(D3) | Lynchburg Hornets – NCAA(D3) |
| Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels – NCAA(D3) | Mary Washington Eagles – NCAA(D3) | Marymount Saints – NCAA(D3) |
| Randolph WildCats – NCAA(D3) | Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets – NCAA(D3) | Roanoke Maroons – NCAA(D3) |
| Shenandoah Hornets – NCAA(D3) | Southern Virginia Knights – NCAA(D3) | Sweet Briar Vixens – NCAA(D3) |
| Virginia Wesleyan Marlins – NCAA(D3) | Washington and Lee Generals – NCAA(D3) |
Where To Bet On NFL Games In Virginia?
Many legal betting sites that allow Virginia players offer odds for the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, and the other 30 NFL teams in the US. While there are not currently any land-based sites for legal NFL betting in Virginia, there are many online sportsbooks that can be accessed by all VA players from anywhere in the state. These sites all offer future Super Bowl 58 odds, along with divisional, conference, and thousands of props during the 2023-24 season.
How To Bet On The Hokies In Virginia
Sports bettors of Virginia can run into some issues when attempting to place certain types of wagers. This is due to state laws, which prohibit bettors of the state from betting on in-state colleges, college events that take place within the state’s borders, and college proposition bets. Bettors looking to wager on Virginia Tech games can still do so by using Virginia sports betting sites that operate overseas, as they are outside of the jurisdiction of U.S. state and federal laws.
Mobile Sports Betting In Virginia
Mobile sports betting in Virginia is available via two main paths. The first path is the path of using regulated sportsbook apps to place your bets. The second path is the path of using sportsbooks that take Virginia players. Each of these paths contains mobile sports betting, but they vary in important details.
Regulated sportsbooks, such as FanDuel or PointsBet, have apps available for you to download on various app stores. Offshore sportsbooks that take Virginia players do not offer apps, and instead provide mobile websites. The major advantage here is that there is no limit on who can use these services – you don’t need to download anything, so your phone will never be out of date. The offshore books also offer a wider variety of wagers, as they are allowed to offer bets on non-sporting events.
Virginia Sportsbook Bonuses
While there are plenty sites that offer legal VA sports betting, the best of them will offer big bonuses as well. By our estimation, the best sportsbook bonuses can be found offshore, are usually deposit bonuses, and usually can be accessed when using cryptocurrency. Let’s take a look at the best online sportsbook bonuses in Virginia.
VA Online Sportsbook Bonuses
| Sportsbook: | Bonus: | Percent Bonus: |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | Bitcoin Welcome Bonus | 75% |
| BetOnline | Sports Welcome Bonus | 50% |
| MyBookie | First Deposit Bonus | 100% |
| BetUS | 200% Crypto Sign Up Bonus | 150% Sports + 50% Casino |
| SportsBetting | Sports Welcome Bonus | 50% |
Land Based Retail Sportsbooks In Virginia
The first retail sports betting license in Virginia was received by Hard Rock Bet in 2022. The full remodel/sportsbook is expected to be finished in 2024. Rivers Casino Portsmouth was the first official retail sportsbook to launch in Virginia. They started taking wagers in January of 2023. While the number of brick and mortar sportsbooks will continue to increase, there are still plenty of legal sports betting sites that accept VA players available.
Betting Restrictions In Virginia
Only a few limitations are present for Virginia sports gambling. The important thing to keep in mind is that these betting restrictions are only for local books. Any sportsbook located in Virginia must follow this protocol. But, any online sports betting site accepting Virginia bettors have their own standards to follow. This is why you find a larger selection of betting types and odds at online books.
What Can’t I Bet On At Virginia Sportsbooks?
- Any youth sporting event.
- Bets on Virginia colleges and universities.
- Prop bets on any college sports team.
- Props on injuries, officiating calls, and unsportsmanlike situations.
- Heisman betting odds or any other “subjective trophy awards”.
- Any professional sporting league’s draft.
Virginia Sports Betting Revenue
Virginia sportsbooks became a top-10 betting state less than a year after launching. In total, the amount of money bet on sports in Virginia exceeds $6 billion in bets. This equals to over $39 million in benefits from Virginia sports betting taxes. Before paying these taxes, VA sportsbooks collected $517 million in revenue.
FanDuel Sportsbook in Virginia accounted for 42.7% of all bets in 2021 up to November. DraftKings came in second at 26.7% of the betting handle. After BetMGM’s near 18%, no other sportsbook in VA held a market share above 8.5%. Surprisingly, betting on pro basketball in Virginia took the top spot, with over a fifth of all money bet. Football followed behind at 17.3% but even betting parlays in Virginia was more common (18.4%).
Virginia Sportsbook Records
- Most Money Bet In A Month: December 2022 ($503,075,150)
- Most Money Won By VA Sportsbooks: November 2021 ($48.3 million)
- Worst Month For VA Sports Bettors: July 2021 (87.7% win rate)
Horse Racing Betting In Virginia
Betting on horse racing in Virginia is legal, but its pari-mutuel sibling, greyhound racing, is not. Furthermore, off-track betting at licensed satellite facilities is also legal at any of the state’s local tracks. Legal horse racing betting sites are usually the most convenient option for horseplayers in Virginia. With these online racebooks, residents have instant access to major tracks all over the United States and across the seas. We recommend sites like SportsBetting and Bovada for legal horse racing betting in Virginia.
Daily Fantasy Sports In Virginia
With the signing of the Fantasy Contests Act, Virginia’s legislature could be said to have saved the entire daily fantasy sports (DFS) industry. This act outlined how DFS can legally operate in the state, becoming the first state in the nation to formally recognize DFS for what it is: a game of skill that, yes, allows players to win money for correctly picking the right lineup of athletes. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed the bill into law in the face of attempts around the country to designate daily fantasy sports as sports betting, which would make it an illegal practice in many states.
However, Virginia was having none of that, and the voice of the people was heard, preserving DFS as a regulated industry which residents in the Old Dominion can freely enjoy. DFS operators have to pay a fee of $50,000 to operate in the state, ban employees of DFS sites from participating in public contests and ensure all players are 18 years old and up, among other common-sense consumer protections. The reaction from the daily fantasy sports industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel was understandably ecstatic, calling the Fantasy Contests Act a thoughtful and appropriate regulatory framework for the protection of fantasy players’ rights.
Ways To Fund A Virginia Sportsbook Account
Getting money into Virginia sports betting sites depends on the book you use. Most are similar across the board but the methods, fees, and maximums all vary. Online sportsbooks that take Virginia players is the only way to bet crypto in Virginia. Both online books and Virginia-based sportsbooks accept credit cards though. Some of the most popular sports betting deposit methods include:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Litecoin
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- MatchPay
Cryptocurrency Sports Betting In Virginia
Virginia has options for cryptocurrency sports betting, although they are only at the international sportsbooks. The state-regulated books in VA are unable to process crypto transactions, but the international online sportsbooks absolutely can, which makes it a compelling option for those who wish to achieve bigger bonuses as well as faster deposit and withdrawal times.
Crypto Advantages In VA
| Crypto: | Credit Cards: | Money Orders: | Wire Transfers: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggest Bonuses | Yes | No | No | No |
| Fastest Deposit Times | Yes | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal Option | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Can I Bet Real Money On Sports In Virginia?
You can absolutely bet real money on sports in Virginia, but the only way to do so without running afoul of the law is to do your wagering at what we think are the best of the best among legal offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, SportsBetting, and BetOnline. In order to get started betting on your favorite teams though, you will need to first deposit money in your account and to do that you will have to jump through a few hoops created by the passage of the UIGEA.
The UIGEA’s prohibitions against financial institutions processing transaction requests related to online gambling mean that even legal offshore sports betting sites like our top picks won’t be able to reliably accept all the major US credit cards all the time. Sometimes you’ll get lucky, but the best options for making deposits remain the faithful ole method of a check in the mail or the newfangled Bitcoin, which will discuss in a later section of this guide to legal Virginia sports betting.
What Is the Sports Betting Age In Virginia?
The sports betting age in Virginia is 21. So, we can only recommend that you follow that lead and wait until you are that old. Keep in mind, our top Virginia sports betting sites will accept players as young as 18. However, it would be a wise course of action to wait until you’re the legal sports betting age of 21.
What Are The Details Of VA Sports Betting Licenses?
Virginia allows 12 different sports betting licenses to be applied for. Each license requires the payment of an initial $250,000 fee. This fee is repeated every three years, as the licenses only last that long. Additionally, sportsbooks that take Virginia players are responsible for the cost of a background check on every member of their organization, an expensive process. This effectively limits VA’s market to only the biggest and most established sportsbooks.
Legal Sportsbooks In Virginia
Bally Bet Sportsbook
Bally Bet, run by the famous Bally’s Corporation, is one of the better online sportsbooks available in Virginia. It will have the limitations that all local sportsbooks have – no crypto and no in-state college betting – but other than that is a completely fine option for anyone looking to wager on sports in VA.
Barstool Sportsbook
Barstool Sportsbook is famous for high hold percentages, which means you should be very careful about accepting any of their odds without shopping around first. In Virginia, they are not allowed to offer odds on college basketball, college football, or any other college team that plays in the state of VA.
Golden Nugget Sportsbook
Golden Nugget Sportsbook was one of the best sportsbooks in Virginia for bonuses. But, they have since stopped operation. DraftKings shut down the book due to their acquisition of Golden Nugget. This happened in May 2022.
Bet365 Sportsbook
As the newest sportsbook in Virginia, bet365 has yet to launch. But, they are looking to be live before 2022 ends. They earned their license under Hillside (Virginia) LLC after Golden Nugget closed. Once paperwork is final, bet365 will launch as the newest Virginia online sportsbook.
WynnBet Sportsbook
WynnBet, run by casino giant Wynn, is a very reasonable online sportsbook for players in the state of VA. It has the typical downsides of a sportsbook that is located in VA, such as no crypto, no esports and no college betting, but it is one of the better versions of a sportsbook like that for VA players to use.
UniBet Sportsbook
UniBet Sportsbook is a great option for bettors in VA, although it does come with the expected issues that happen at every state regulated VA book. You cannot use cryptocurrency with UniBet, nor can you wager on in-state college sports as well as esports and politics/entertainment betting. If you’re willing to live with this, UniBet is very good at most other areas of sports betting.
PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet Sportsbook is a great online sportsbook for VA bettors to use, and it’s a great online sportsbook in general. You can access a lot at PointsBet, although you are giving up some things by choosing to use a retail book. For example, you can’t bet on esports or in-state college games at PointsBet.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the entire country, and it’s a top option in VA. It does have the typical drawbacks of a VA sportsbook, such as not accepting cryptocurrency and not offering in-state betting. An upside is that it comes attached to a great DFS operation as well.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is a very popular and well regarded sportsbook for VA players. With a large variety of wagers, solid bonuses, and a lot of different ways to wager, it’s one of the best regulated books in VA. Of course, any regulated book will have less wagers available than a comparable offshore book, and this is true of DK as well.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook has been making plays with the goal of attaining increased market share in Virginia, which means you can get solid bonuses with them at the moment. They still do not offer in-state college betting, or any kind of politics or entertainment betting, which puts them behind the offshores available in VA.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is a solid site for legal VA sports betting, thanks to their well-executed and implemented sports betting app. However, they are limited in terms of the wagers they are allowed to offer compared to any offshore sportsbook. If you’re insistent on using a regulated book, BetRivers is a solid choice.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is one of the great Virginia sports betting sites. Run by MGM Resorts, one of the biggest gambling companies in America, it has a lot of money to burn when it comes to player acquisition, meaning they can offer very solid bonuses. While it does have all the downsides of regulated books, it’s still a very solid option in Virginia.
Recent Virginia Sports Betting News
The major developments for 2023 legal Virginia sports betting have been cursory. The state legislature passed a bill banning the usage of “Virginia is for bettors” as a sports betting slogan, a play on VA’s famous “Virginia is for lovers” slogan. There were multiple attempts to repeal the ban on collegiate wagering in VA, but they did not pass – which perhaps is good, considering that Richmond upset Iowa in the NCAA tournament, an eventuality which would surely have cost VA sportsbooks a ton of money.
Latest News
Legal Virginia Sports Betting FAQs
Who Regulates Virginia Sports Betting
Virginia sports betting is regulated by the Virginia Lottery, which controls the issuing of sports betting licenses.
Do Any Casinos In Virginia Have Sports Betting?
The only casino in Virginia with sports betting is the Rivers Casino Portsmouth. Sometimes, it’s easier to just use Bovada or BetOnline to bet sports in Virginia.
Has Virginia Opened Their Own Mobile Sportsbooks?
Yes, Virginia has launched their mobile sports betting industry. Starting in 2021, FanDuel became the first sportsbook to open a Virginia online sportsbook. Other platforms like DraftKings, BetMGM, and BetRivers launched less than a week after FanDuel.