The Best Virginia Betting Sites to Play Legally in 2024
Online sports betting is legal in Virginia and our guide to the best VA betting sites is the ideal place to get started. Read on as we look at the best websites and apps where you can wager online in VA.
| Best Betting Sites in The United States | Bonus Offers | Highlights | Rating | Secure Link | T&Cs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Virginia Betting Sites
- 🥇 BetMGM ✪ Top Virginia Betting Site
- 🥈 Hard Rock Bet ✪ Best for Promotions
- 🥉 Caesars Sportsbook ✪ Most Popular Sportsbook App
We hope you’ll find our site a great place to discover more about Virginia online sports betting. In our guide you’ll find out about online wagering in VA, the legal situation, payments, security, taxes, and more.
| 🏆 Best Betting Site in Virginia | BetMGM |
| 🔍Top New Site in Virginia | Hard Rock Bet |
| 🎁 Best for Bonuses | BetMGM |
| 📱 Top Mobile App | Caesars Sportsbook |
| 📺 Best for Live Betting | Caesars Sportsbook |
| 📈 Highest Payout Sportsbook | Hard Rock Bet |
| 💳 Best Payment Options | Hard Rock Bet |
| 🛡️ Safest Sportsbook | BetMGM |
| 🎮 Best eSports Betting Website | BetMGM |
| ✨ Top for Extra Features | Hard Rock Bet |
We will detail how we rank each category in the following sections.
Virginia Online Betting Sites List: All Legal VA Online Sportsbooks
We are in the process of testing all of the legal sportsbooks in Virginia. Below you can find our current list of the top VA betting sites, you should bookmark this page and check back as we will continue our reviews soon.
- MGM Resorts International – (BetMGM) – License No N/A
- DraftKings Inc. – (Hard Rock Bet) – License No N/A
- Caesars Entertainment, Inc. – (Caesars) – License No N/A
We are still adding to the best betting sites Virginia gamblers can wager at. We’ll be sure to bring you our results when we finalize our rankings. The safety and security of our readers is important to us, so we’ll only be recommending licensed and legal VA betting sites.
How to Start Betting Online in Virginia
It is straightforward to begin wagering online at a Virginia sportsbook. All you need is a computer and to enter some basic personal details. If you prefer the convenience of wagering on your smartphone, then you can use a Virginia sports betting app for iOS or Android.
Visit the website or download the app of your selected VA betting site. We recommend you use legal VA betting sites.
Sign-up to your chosen Virginia betting site and register your account. You’ll have to enter some personal details and your social security number.
Take a look at the bonuses on offer and decide if you want to claim one. Choose your deposit method and get ready to place your first bet.
With no casinos or brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Virginia yet, online betting is the only method for VA gamblers to place a wager. So, if you want to make a sports bet, you’ll need to open an online betting account.
The Criteria Used to Pick the Best Betting Sites Virginia
There are a wide range of factors to consider when choosing a Virginia sportsbook and we aim to show you the most important subjects. We considered all the criteria in the table below when rating the best Virginia betting sites.
Competitive odds, good customer service, and generous bonuses are three important criteria that we seek out in the best online Virginia betting sites. Security and safety are two further factors that we look for in a VA sportsbook.
Legal Factors
Sports betting became legal in Virginia in April 2020 and the first bet was placed in January 2021. Currently there are no casinos or brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in VA. However, that is set to soon change with plans for several casinos on the horizon.
Most types of sports betting are permitted, but you can’t bet on in state colleges – such as UVA or Virginia Tech. Additionally, proposition betting on college sports of any type is not allowed.
As is the case in in the neighboring legal state of Tennessee, the state lottery oversees sports betting in VA and regulates legal Virginia betting sites. The legal age for sports betting at a Virginia online sportsbook is 21 years old.
Law and Licenses
In April 2020 Bill HB896/SB384 officially legalized online sports betting in Virginia. The Virginia Lottery is responsible for regulating the Virginia online sports betting industry. They oversee and issue licenses for legal betting sites in the state.
In total, Virginia could offer up to 18 sports betting licenses. At the moment Virginians can only gamble online, but brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Old Dominion could open as soon as 2022.
There are already several legal Virginia betting sites to choose from. When casinos and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks open, bettors from VA will have even more choice of where to place a bet.
Taxes
Betting operators in Virginia pay 15% in taxes on sports betting revenue. Sportsbooks can deduct promotional expenses from customer acquisition, so the actual amount they pay can be much lower.
Winnings from the best Virginia betting sites are subject to federal and state income taxes. For a big win, you may have a W-2G form sent to you automatically. All profits from betting at a VA sportsbook must be reported on your annual tax returns.
Data Security and Encryption
At Virginia betting sites, online data security should be a priority. All licensed VA sports betting sites should use a secure socket layer connection. This ensures all information sent between you and the gambling site is encrypted.
Make sure you look for the padlock symbol to the left of the website address. Each Virginia sports betting app should also use encryption to protect its customers.
It is also up to you as an individual to protect yourself when you gamble online at Virginia betting sites. We recommend that you get yourself the latest ant-virus software and only download gambling apps from official sources.
Legal Age
To gamble with Virginia sports betting sites, state law dictates that you must be over the age of 21. It is a rule that is strictly enforced, and minors should not seek to circumvent it.
You may be able to find online betting sites that claim you can gamble online in Virginia from the age of 18. These sportsbooks are illegal and shouldn’t be trusted with your bankroll.
There is also no guarantee that unlicensed sportsbooks will pay out on your winning bets, so steer clear. If you are found to be gambling underage, or facilitating the ability of someone underage to gamble, the ramifications are serious and can include jail time.
Therefore, we strongly recommend waiting until you are 21 years of age or older before gambling in Virginia to avoid major legal problems.
Responsible Gambling
Problem gambling is an important issue in VA. If you have difficulties arising from using any of the best Virginia betting sites, then the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling can assist you.
If you need help, you can call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-888-532-3500. All calls are toll-free and fully confidential.
The state of Virginia uses gambling taxes to help problem gamblers. The Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund was formed in 2020 and receives 2.5% of gambling taxes accumulated by the state of Virginia.
Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling and are two national organisations that can also help. The NCPG provides a 24-hour confidential helpline (1-800-522-4700) for anyone affected by the problem gambling.
Certificates
For a Virginia sportsbook, online security is a crucial topic. A VA sportsbook can prove it is trustworthy by displaying a certificate. Our list below shows the most important certificates that should be displayed by a VA online sports betting site.
- DigiCert – Security
- Cloudflare – Security
- National Council on Problem Gambling – Responsible Gambling
At the best betting sites Virginia, Problem Gambling resources and groups should be represented. Look out for evidence of respecting responsible gaming before you deposit your money. If a Virginia sports betting app or website displays responsible gaming certificates, then you know they value your safety and security.
Bonus & Offers at VA Betting Sites
When considering the best betting sites Virginia has to offer, one of the most important factors is the welcome bonus. Top VA sportsbooks compete with each other to secure customers, so each should have excellent promotions for new players.
There are various types of offers for new players such as 2nd chance bets and bonuses with play through requirements. Sportsbooks also often offer other promotions such as parlay boosts and parlay insurance for those who like to make multiple-legged bets.
| Virginia Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Deposit Features | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 BetMGM | Up to $1,000 First Bet Offer | 1x, 7 days, N/A | Bet Here! | T&Cs Apply. New customer offer. Always gamble responsibly. 21+ | |
| 🥉 Hard Rock Bet | Up to $100 Bet Match | 25x, 90 days, -300 | Bet Here! | VA Only. 21+. T&C’s apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER | |
| ⭐ Caesars Sportsbook | Up to $1,000 In Bonus Bet | 1x, 14 days, N/A | Bet Here! | Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 21+ |
Make sure you check the bonus terms and conditions before depositing at a VA sportsbook. The biggest bonus isn’t necessarily the best value. Each offer has its own individual requirements or playthrough stipulations to satisfy.
Bonuses are important to add to your potential profits, but bonuses aren’t the only thing that you should be focusing on when signing up to a Virginia sports betting website. Keep reading as we take a look at other topics – like payouts, odds, payment methods and apps.
Average Payout, Odds and Lines at Sportsbooks
Payout rates are always vital to consider when gambling at the best Virginia betting sites. Wagering at a sportsbook with fair payout rates is something that any gambler should be aiming for.
- BetMGM – 94.97%
- Hard Rock Bet – 95.77%
- Caesars – 95.70%
Virginia sportsbooks charge a commission on every bet. This vig (or juice) is the profit that a betting site takes from each betting market. A smart bettor should always try to maximize any potential payouts and minimize the vigorish they pay to a sportsbook.
Live Betting sites in Virginia
VA gambling legislation allows wagering on sports events after they have commenced. However, live betting on college sports is not permitted. So, while live betting on NBA, MLB, and NFL games is completely legal on Virginia betting sites, you’ll have to place your wager on NCAA games before they begin.
On top sports betting sites Virginia gamblers find live betting is an exciting way to wager on sports. You’ll be able to see the start of the game and react to what happens as the action develops.
Best Live Betting Bonus
- Bonus Code: Not needed
- Minimum Odds: N/A
- Wagering requirement: 1x
- Validity: 7 days
Welcome Bonus
Ongoing Offers
Live Promotions
-
T&Cs Apply. New customer offer. Always gamble responsibly. 21+
Be aware that odds can change quickly in live betting. Make sure you have the most up to date scores when you place a bet or do it during a break in the action. That way you won’t get caught out by the fast-moving odds.
Payments
There are a wide range of payment methods available for VA gamblers. Quite simply we believe the more payment options that are offered at top Virginia betting sites online, the better it is for customers.
eWallets such as PayPal provide convenient options for many bettors. Visa and MasterCard are two further methods that are straightforward to use. Gamblers who are depositing and withdrawing larger amounts of money might prefer to use bank transfers.
Our table shows different payment options offered at Virginia sportsbooks.
Remember, many sites only let you withdraw to a payment method if you have used it to deposit within the past 180 days.
| Payment Method | Type | Deposit Limits | Deposit/Withdrawal | Payment Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACH | Bank Transfer | $10 – $500 | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| PayPal | eWallet | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Play+ | eWallet | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Visa | Debit Card | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Mastercard | Debit Card | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Discover | Debit Card | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
| Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer | $10 – Unlimited | Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals | No Fees |
Online sports betting is completely legal in VA, so sportsbooks that use sketchy or unreliable payment methods should be avoided. You should always gamble at licensed VA betting sites. That way you can use reliable and trustworthy deposit and withdrawal methods.
Licensed sportsbooks will pay out your winning bets promptly and you should have no problems in withdrawing your winnings. The benefit of legal sports betting is that government regulations ensure you are treated fairly, and your funds are completely safe.
Betting Apps
Bettors who to prefer to gamble on their device can use a Virginia sports betting app. Each of the best online Virginia betting sites has an app for both iOS and Android users. This makes it straightforward to place a wager with a tablet or smartphone.
A big plus of mobile wagering is that you don’t need to be on your computer to place a bet. With betting apps you can quickly use your phone to make a wager. Mobile apps of the top VA sportsbooks are as safe and secure as their websites.
Customer Service
When using the top betting sites, Virginia residents should expect high quality customer service. The best VA sportsbooks all have live chat support to help customers with problems. Email support is also available for those that prefer that option.
If you have a problem that can’t be resolved, you can file a complaint with the Virginia Lottery. The benefit of legal VA sports betting is that bettors have an organization to complain to in case of a dispute. The Virginia Lottery will arbitrate any disagreement.
For bettors in Virginia, good customer service should be provided at all times. The best betting sites in Virginia all have excellent support for their players. With strong competition in the market, customer support for VA bettors should remain a priority.
New Virginia Online Sports Betting Sites
Legal online gambling is still relatively new in Old Dominion. There are already some excellent new betting sites in Virginia. Several well-established companies have opened legal Virginia sportsbooks. We’ll post our opinions on the best betting sites in VA very soon.
As there are a number of new Virginia betting sites and competition to acquire bettors as customers is strong. Gamblers from Virginia have a wide range of sportsbooks to choose from and the betting market in VA looks set to grow further
Virginia online sports betting got off to a strong start after its launch in January 2021. With no casinos or brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in the state, online sports betting remains the only viable legal option for VA gamblers.
Illegal Betting sites in Virginia
There are plenty of legal betting sites in Virginia, so there is no reason to gamble on offshore illegal betting sites. Offshore betting sites are unlicensed and can’t be trusted with your bankroll. Here is our blacklist of unlicensed bookies that you should steer clear of.
- ⛔ Riverbet
- ⛔ Premiumbull
- ⛔ digiBet
- ⛔ Bigbetworld
- ⛔ All Horse Racing
- ⛔ Gamebet
- ⛔ 21Bet
- ⛔ 1xBet
- ⛔ 12BET
These sites are not licensed by the state of Virginia, so don’t deposit your money on them. Unlicensed sites are risky places to place a wager. There is no guarantee your funds will be safe and if your bet wins, they might not pay out.
History of Gambling in Virginia
Online sports betting is now legal in Virginia, but the circumstances are a little unusual because the state of VA doesn’t have any casinos. Legal charitable gambling was permitted in Virginia from 1973, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that legal gambling really began in VA.
The creation of the Virginia Lottery was approved in 1987 and began in 1988. Shortly afterwards pari-mutuel sports betting on horse racing was legalized in the state. In 1989 the Virginia Racing Commission was formed to oversee the racing industry.
The introduction of riverboat gambling has been on the table more than once in VA, but each time it was rejected by state lawmakers. In 1995 and 2013 efforts to introduce a riverboat gambling bill were not successful.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was repealed in 2018. This gave the green light for sports betting to be legalized around the US, including in Virginia.
In April 2020 bill HB896/SB384 was passed officially legalizing sports betting in Old Dominion. The Virginia Lottery was given responsibility for licensing and regulating gambling websites in VA. Sports betting began in Virginia in January 2021.
Several brick-and-mortar casinos are scheduled to open in Virginia over the next few years. The introduction of in-person sports betting will give Virginians even greater options in where to place a wager.
FAQ
We hope that that you found our Virginia online sports betting guide as informative and interesting as possible. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our readers about gambling online in Virginia. This covers some of most common topics that our readers ask about Virginia betting sites.
🥇 What is the best betting site in Virginia?
We are still reviewing all legal Virginia betting sites. We suggest bookmarking this page and checking back in the future when we will reveal what we consider to be the best VA betting sites. As sports betting is legal in VA, we recommend that gamblers steer clear of illegal offshore betting sites.
🔎 Are there any new betting sites in Virginia?
Yes. Legal online sports betting launched in Virginia in January 2021 and there are a number of new VA sportsbooks that are available. There is already a wide selection of legal VA betting sites, and this number should grow even further as more licenses are issued.
📜 Is there a list of the Virginia betting sites?
There is a good choice of Virginia betting sites already operating and VA gamblers have a host of options to pick from. More sportsbooks are set to enter the market giving bettors an even wider range of alternatives. Check back soon when we will post the list of our top VA betting sites.
🛡️ Are Virginia betting sites safe?
Yes. Online sports betting is fully legal in Virginia. With legal options available, bettors should not risk their funds by using illegal offshore betting sites. Read more about gambling safety in VA in our dedicated section.
💵 How does Virginia make money from betting sites?
Virginia residents must pay taxes on their gambling winnings. Legal betting sites in Virginia are also taxed 15% of gross gaming revenue by the state. To find out more, take a look at our taxation summary for online sports betting in VA.
⚖️ Is online betting in Virginia also legal?
Yes, in Virginia, online sports betting is fully legal. You can bet legally and safely with state-licensed sportsbooks. We summarise the legal situation for Virginia online sports betting in our dedicated section.
👮 How can I solve a dispute with a Virginia online sportsbook?
If you have a problem with Virginia betting sites, there are several steps you can take. First, you must follow the official complaints procedure of the sportsbook in question. If you still aren't satisfied with the outcome, you can submit a complaint to the Virginia Lottery. Read more information in our support section.
Conclusion: Bright Times Ahead for Bettors in VA
Virginia online sports betting is still new, but the introduction of online wagering is already proving to be successful. VA gamblers have a good choice of betting sites to bet at and that selection should increase even further.
Bettors from Maryland, North Carolina and Washington DC can all visit Virginia to place sports bets online. When casinos and retail sportsbooks open, there will be an even bigger draw for out of state visitors to make the trip to Old Dominion.
We’ll be reviewing the best Virginia betting sites and we aim to bring you our recommendations very soon. In the meantime, bookmark this page and take a look at the top US betting sites to see which sportsbooks we recommend in other states.