Top Virginia Sports Betting Sites: Best Sportsbooks in Virginia for 2024
Legal sports betting in Virginia is thriving, with 14 sportsbooks currently operating and offering enticing promos of up to $1,500 each. The state is also set to welcome several more top sports betting sites in the near future. Stay updated with this page for the latest news and developments in Virginia's sports betting landscape.
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Availability | Claim Offer |
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$1,000 First Bet on CaesarsTerms & conditions apply |
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20% Deposit Match up to $1,000New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place daily first bet of min. $5 and get up to a $100 bonus bet for 10 consecutive days. Daily bonus issued within 72 hours. |
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Claim Offer
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First Bet Offer up to $1500Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. |
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Deposit $50 play with $100Terms & conditions apply |
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Claim Offer
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Virginia Sports Betting Updates
In March 2020, the Virginia General Assembly and Senate passed SB 384 and HB 896, legalizing sports betting in the state. Governor Ralph Northam signed the bills into law, and online sports betting began on November 1, 2020. The Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) took over formal regulatory duties on March 10, 2022.
Recent Developments:
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Sept. 3, 2024: Virginia sportsbooks post a nearly 12% hold in July, continuing a trend of high July win rates nationwide.
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Aug. 30, 2024: Betr introduces new sportsbook features for the 2024 NFL season, expanding betting markets beyond micro-betting in Ohio and Virginia.
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Aug. 7, 2024: Virginia's market sees a shakeup as Si Sportsbook, Betway, and SuperBook exit the state, leaving limited market share available.
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Aug. 5, 2024: June's betting figures show Virginia sportsbooks handling $415.4 million, with an 11% hold.
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July 22, 2024: SuperBook Sports exits Virginia, along with seven other post-PASPA states.
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July 2, 2024: Virginia operators record their highest hold of the year in May.
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June 27, 2024: Virginia's gambling law subcommittee plans to introduce stricter regulations for daily fantasy sports in 2025.
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May 31, 2024: Virginia sportsbooks enjoy a double-digit hold in April.
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May 2, 2024: Virginia sports betting reaches its third-largest monthly handle in March, totaling $629 million.
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April 26, 2024: Bruce Smith announces plans for a $1.4 billion gaming resort in Virginia.
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April 2, 2024: Virginia's sports betting handle falls in February but still exceeds $500 million in wagers.
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Feb. 2, 2024: Virginia ends 2023 with over $5 billion in wagers, up from $4.9 billion in 2022.
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Jan. 26, 2024: bet365 launches a free-to-play fantasy contest in Virginia, offering a $25,000 prize pool for NFL Championship Weekend.
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Jan. 16, 2024: New Senate Bill 124 proposes allowing betting on Virginia college sports, previously prohibited.
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Dec. 31, 2023: Virginia's November betting handle reveals a 23% year-over-year increase in total wagers.
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Dec. 18, 2023: Virginia's Attorney General classifies daily fantasy sports contests as gambling, which may impact DFS companies in the state.
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Nov. 21, 2023: Fanatics Sportsbook launches in Virginia, replacing PointsBet.
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Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET goes live in Virginia and 16 other states.
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Oct. 20, 2023: SuperBook launches its Virginia sportsbook, expanding the state's legal sports betting options to 16 sites.
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Oct. 2, 2023: Virginia Lottery reports a $319 million handle for August, a 12% year-over-year increase.
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Sept. 6, 2023: Betr launches its Virginia sportsbook app, following launches in Massachusetts and Ohio.
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Aug. 11, 2023: WynnBET announces it will cease operations in Virginia.
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Aug. 2, 2023: Virginia Lottery reports a $322 million sports betting handle for June, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase with a 10% hold.
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July 6, 2023: Virginia sportsbooks record a near 12% hold in May.
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June 2, 2023: April's sports betting handle exceeds $425 million, a nearly 7% year-over-year increase.
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May 4, 2023: March's sports betting handle rebounds to $511.6 million.
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April 3, 2023: Virginia sportsbooks generate $433.8 million in February, with 7.4% attributed to the Super Bowl.
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March 29, 2023: DraftKings launches DK Horse app in Virginia, marking its first foray into horse racing.
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March 6, 2023: Betr secures a license to operate in Virginia, adding to its presence in other states.
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Feb. 2, 2023: Virginia Lottery reports an 18% yearly increase in December's sports betting handle.
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Feb. 1, 2023: Betfred’s sports betting platform goes live in Virginia, making it the ninth sportsbook in the state.
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Jan. 11, 2023: Proposed changes to sports betting tax laws could further limit deductions for licensed operators.
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Dec. 31, 2022: Proposed legislation aims to create a problem gambling committee in Virginia.
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Dec. 1, 2022: Virginia reports a record $528 million handle for October.
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Aug. 15, 2022: Hillside (Virginia), LLC receives a temporary sports betting permit, controlled by bet365 Group Ltd.
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July 8, 2022: Hard Rock opens Virginia's first retail sportsbook.
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May 9, 2022: SI Sportsbook launches its online platform in Virginia.
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April 28, 2022: SI Sportsbook faces delays due to app authorization issues; Betway plans a May 18 launch.
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April 11, 2022: New regulations prohibit Virginia gaming entities from using the phrase “Virginia is for bettors” in marketing.
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March 31, 2022: Hard Rock Sportsbook launches its Virginia app, becoming the 12th active mobile sportsbook in the state.
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March 2, 2022: Virginia sets a single-month sports betting handle record of $485.5 million for January.
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Feb. 25, 2022: House rejects HB 1127, which proposed allowing bets on in-state college sports teams.
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Feb. 15, 2022: Senate passes SB 576 to permit wagering on in-state collegiate teams, moving to the House.
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Jan. 13, 2022: Delegate Schuyler T. VanValkenburg introduces HB 1127 to allow betting on Virginia college sports.
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Jan. 11, 2022: Two bills propose forming a new gaming commission to oversee Virginia sports betting.
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Jan. 4, 2022: Virginia Lottery reports record tax revenues of nearly $50 million for November 2021.
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Dec. 15, 2021: PointsBet launches as the 11th legal sportsbook in Virginia.
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Dec. 2, 2021: Virginia sets a record for October sports betting with $427.3 million in wagers.
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Dec. 1, 2021: 888 Holdings PLC awarded a provisional sports-betting license by the Virginia Lottery.
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Nov. 25, 2021: VHL, VA (SI Sportsbook) receives the 13th sports betting license in Virginia.
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Nov. 24, 2021: Digital Gaming Corporation (Betway) receives a temporary sports betting license from the Virginia Lottery.
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Nov. 22, 2021: Colonial Downs gets approval to offer mobile sports betting through PointsBet.
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Nov. 2, 2021: Richmond voters reject Urban One Inc.'s ONE Casino + Resort proposal.
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Oct. 13, 2021: Golden Nugget Online launches, becoming the ninth mobile sportsbook in Virginia.
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Aug. 10, 2021: Barstool Sportsbook becomes Virginia's eighth mobile sportsbook.
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Jan. 21, 2021: Virginia's fully online sports betting launches with FanDuel accepting the state's first legal wager.
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November 2020: Virginia approves referendums for four casinos and retail sportsbooks in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.
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April 2020: Lawmakers approve final changes to SB 384 and HB 896, legalizing sports betting.
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November 2019: A study estimates that legal sports betting could generate up to $55 million in annual tax revenue for Virginia. Delegate Mark Sickles introduces a bill to regulate sports betting.
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March 2019: The Virginia Senate commissions a study on sports betting in other states to estimate potential annual revenue for Virginia.
Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly passed sports betting legislation in March 2020, and Governor Ralph Northam signed the amendments into law on April 22, 2020. Online sports betting officially launched in Virginia on January 21, 2021. Currently, there are 14 legal sports betting sites operating in the state.
Who can partake in Virginia sports betting?
In accordance with Virginia sports betting law, adults 21 and over who have access to a mobile device or computer may place a legal sports bet. Registration can be completed from anywhere in the state, so players can get started at home or at their favorite bar.
Here's what you need to know before making your first sports bet in Virginia.
Minimum Age
You must be at least 21 years old to legally place a sports bet in Virginia.
Mobile Betting
Online Virginia sports betting involves using a computer or mobile device to access a sports betting website or sportsbook app. The Virginia Lottery regulates all sports betting operators in the state.
Remote Registration
Remote registration allows Virginia bettors to create accounts, make deposits, and place their first bets from anywhere in the state. You don’t have to visit a physical location to register.
In-State Betting
Online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to confirm users' locations. While you don’t need to reside in Virginia to place a bet, you must be within state borders when placing a wager.
Retail Sportsbooks
Currently, Virginia has one retail sportsbook at Hard Rock Sportsbook in Bristol. Plans for more retail sportsbooks are in the works, with casinos under construction in Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.
Taxable Winnings
Virginia sports betting winnings that exceed $600 are subject to a 24% federal tax. State taxes range from 2% to 5.75% based on your annual winnings, and keeping track of your losses can help reduce the tax burden.
The pros and cons of Virginia sports betting
Sports bettors have been able to enjoy fully online Virginia sports betting from the start. The average tax rate and a high population make Virginia an attractive market for new sportsbooks. However, the lack of retail sportsbooks is a drawback, though this is expected to change in the coming years.
Fully online Virginia sports betting- Expanding list of Virginia sportsbooks
- Plenty of sign-up bonuses
- Just one retail sportsbook
- No betting on in-state college teams
- No NFL draft betting
How to start betting in Virginia
Sports bettors in Virginia can visit legal betting sites or download a sports betting app to a mobile device. Bettors also have the option of visiting the Hard Rock Sportsbook in Bristol to place wagers in person.
Select a sportsbook
The first step is to explore the regulated Virginia sportsbooks. Each platform offers different sign-up bonuses, betting lines, and levels of customer support. Take your time visiting a few Virginia sports betting sites and reviewing their terms and conditions before getting started.
Register online
Virginia allows for quick registration. Simply provide some personal details, including the last four digits of your SSN, and you’ll be ready to place your first sports bet.
Claim a bonus
VA sportsbooks often offer various bonuses to get bettors started. Here are some common offers you might find:
- Second chance bets: If your first bet loses, many VA sportsbooks will refund the amount in site credit.
- Deposit match: Some sportsbooks will match your initial deposit, though playthrough requirements usually apply.
- No-deposit bonus: A small site credit is awarded for simply signing up, which must be used on your first bet.
Choose your bet
Virginia sportsbooks offer all the most popular bet types, including moneylines, Over/Unders (totals), point spreads, and parlays. Be sure to familiarize yourself with each type before placing your first wager.
Deposit
Virginia bettors have access to a variety of deposit options, including debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, prepaid cards, and e-wallets. Keep in mind that transaction fees may apply, so always review the fine print before confirming your deposit.
Start betting
Once you’ve explored the Virginia sportsbooks and found favorable betting lines, it’s time to start betting. It’s wise to open accounts with multiple sportsbooks to compare odds and maximize your chances of success.
Withdraw
Withdrawals can be made using many of the same methods as deposits. Be sure to check each sportsbook’s withdrawal policies to know how long it will take for your funds to appear in your account.
Odds explained
Virginia sportsbooks use American odds as the default format. A minus sign (-) indicates the favorite, while a plus sign (+) signifies the underdog. For example, -110 odds mean a bettor needs to wager $110 to win $100, while +180 odds show a bettor would win $180 on a $100 bet. Decimal and fractional odds are also available, and you can use an odds converter to switch between formats.
What you can't bet on in Virginia
While Virginia has embraced sports betting, there are still some restrictions on what bettors can wager on. Below are the current limitations:
esports
Esports betting is now legal in Virginia. The passing of SB384 in 2020 permitted esports betting sites to operate in the Old Dominion.
Politics
Politics are off-limits at Virginia sportsbooks. Bettors cannot wager on any political event in the state, or anywhere else in the U.S.
NFL Draft
Despite the popularity of the NFL Draft, Virginia sportsbooks do not allow betting on this offseason event.
VA college sports
Bettors in Virginia are prohibited from placing wagers on in-state collegiate teams. However, out-of-state college teams are available for betting.
Awards shows
Virginia does not permit betting on entertainment or pop-culture events like the Academy Awards.
Other types of gambling
Virginia is expanding its land-based gambling options, with more casinos set to open in the near future. Currently, residents can visit Hard Rock Bristol, but additional locations will soon be available.
