Are sportsbooks legal in Virginia?
Before I can get to the legal landscape of real money sports betting sites in Virginia, you should note that I am not covering sweepstakes casinos in this guide.
The online sports betting landscape in Virginia has undergone significant changes in recent years, with real money online betting legalized in 2021. If you are from the Old Dominion and are 21 or older, you can sign up and wager at the best Virginia sportsbooks. The Virginia Lottery operates and oversees the Virginia real money online betting market, and you should only join platforms that are licensed and regulated by the commission.
What sports can you bet on?
Similar to the sports betting experience at Pennsylvania sportsbooks, when wagering with real money at VA sportsbooks, you can access a comprehensive sports betting experience. You can place wagers on both pre-match and in-play events, and popular betting options include soccer, football, golf, tennis, basketball, and baseball.
The available sports betting markets cover moneylines, totals, spreads, props bets on all major professional sports, live betting, and futures betting. Betting sites in Virginia offer bettors a range of unique sportsbook features, including bet builders, cash out options, and boosted odds.
What sports are you not allowed to bet on?
Okay, it is time to lock in now and focus! When I compiled my New Jersey sportsbooks guide, I shared the available sports that are not available for betting in the state. I want to do the same thing for Virginia, so please diarize the following information.
Per the real money betting laws in Virginia, you are prohibited from wagering on in-state college teams, and all college prop bets are banned. This means that you cannot place wagers on any college teams, including the University of Virginia Cavaliers team or any of the college athletes. While horse racing betting is available, you cannot wager real money on greyhound racing, including on any in-state greyhound races and out-of-state events.
What to evaluate when searching for the best sportsbooks in Virginia
When searching for online betting sites in VA, you need to have a selection criterion so you can critique possible sportsbooks. Below are some of the main features you should evaluate:
🎲 Licensing
As I shared, the Virginia Lottery operates real-money online sports betting, and you should only use sportsbooks that are licensed and regulated by the commission. You can check the licensing information by scrolling to the bottom of the sportsbook homepage and reading the information.
🔒 Security
The best betting sites in Virginia will have an encrypted sportsbook. There should also be advanced security measures in place for bettors, including password-secured betting accounts, KYC verification checks, an encrypted banking platform, and several responsible gambling tools.
💰 Bonuses
Everyone loves bonuses, and the best Virginia sportsbooks should have a steady stream of bonuses for new and existing bettors. There should be regular free bets, match bonuses, cash back, boosted odds, and seasonal promotions on major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl.
🏀 Diverse betting markets
No one wants to bet on only a few sports with limited betting markets. Check that the top Virginia sportsbooks have comprehensive sportsbooks with both pre-match and in-play betting. There may be many sports to wager on, including major leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and niche sports like volleyball and table tennis. Spend time browsing the available sports betting markets, and double-check that there are competitive odds for moneylines, totals, spreads, live betting, props, and futures betting.
📱 Mobile betting
Wagering on the go is a must, and gone are the days of sitting in front of a PC and placing sports bets. The top VA sportsbooks must have a mobile betting platform, including a mobile-optimized website and sports betting apps. The mobile platforms must include the same features as the desktop site, allowing you to wager from anywhere and at any time.
The top Virginia betting sites to try
Now that you have a clearer picture of the real money online sports betting landscape in the Old Dominion, the only thing left to do is share my favorite betting sites. I also enjoy the sports betting experience at sites like FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings. There are numerous bonuses, diverse betting markets, and unique sportsbook features, which I have unpacked below. Feel free to click the relevant banners to open a new betting account and get your welcome bonus.
| Virginia sportsbooks | Welcome bonus |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $300 if your first bet wins |
| bet365 | Bet $5, Get $200 regardless of the outcome of your first bet |
| Caesars | Bet $1, double your winnings for your next 20 bets |
| BetMGM | Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets if your first bet wins |
FanDuel - VIP rewards and more
FanDuel Sportsbook In A Nutshell
FanDuel is among the top Virginia sportsbooks, and new bettors are welcomed with a Bet and Get offer. When you make your first deposit and wager a minimum of $5, you can get up to a $300 bonus should your qualifying wager win. FanDuel also has an exclusive VIP program for high rollers, and once you gain access, the available rewards include free bets, match bonuses, and FanDuel merch.
I enjoyed the sports betting experience at FanDuel, with over 20+ sports to wager on with hundreds of markets for every event. You can wager pre-match and in-play, and popular betting markets include moneylines, prop bets, and futures betting.
How To Sign Up
- Click the green ‘Join’ button at the top right of the homepage.
- Select your state/location and enter your email address, create a username, and set a password.
- Provide personal details, including full name, date of birth, and home address.
- Enter your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification.
- Agree to the terms and conditions, confirm you are of legal age, and complete any additional verification steps.
- Click the ‘Create Account’ button to finalize your registration.
BONUS
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bet365 - A household name in the market
Bet365 Sport In A Nutshell
A juggernaut in the sports betting industry, bet365 is finally available in Virginia. After signing up, you are welcomed with a Bet and Get bonus - Bet $5 and get $200 regardless of the outcome of your first bet. I liked the welcome bonus, especially as you still receive your bonus if your qualifying wager loses.
Bet365 has a comprehensive sportsbook for bettors, with over 10,000 daily betting markets. You can wager on mainstream sports, such as football, soccer, and baseball, as well as niche sports like curling and darts. Standout sportsbook features at the brand include parlay boosts, live betting, bet builders, and cash out.
How To Sign Up
- Click on "Join".
- Provide your personal details
- Confirm your email address by clicking on the link sent by Bet365.
- Choose a payment method and deposit the desired amount.
- Browse available sports and events, and place your bets.
BONUS
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Caesars - Rewards galore for bettors
Caesars Sport In A Nutshell
Caesars is a well-known brand in the US, and everyone is familiar with its sportsbook. New Virginia bettors are treated to an impressive welcome bonus, and when you make your first deposit and bet $1 or more, you will trigger a 100% winnings boost for your next 20 bets. Other standout bonuses at the sportsbook include Caesars loyalty rewards, referral bonuses, and free bets.
I had a blast betting at Caesars, and the pre-match betting markets always caught my eye. You can wager on moneylines, match props, player props, futures, and more. Every major fixture has 100+ markets, and there are always competitive betting odds.
How To Sign Up
- Click 'Register'.
- Enter your personal details, including your social security number, email address, and telephone number.
- Tick the age verification and T&Cs boxes.
- Activate your account via the verification email sent after you completed registration.
BetMGM - Dedicated BetMGM mobile betting apps
BetMGM Sport In A Nutshell
Next up is BetMGM, and if you are like me, someone who loves mobile betting apps, you will enjoy what I have to share. BetMGM has two dedicated betting apps, and you can download the Android and iOS apps from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Both apps are easy to use and offer the same sports betting experience (with over 20+ sports and thousands of daily betting markets) as when using the desktop site.
If you sign up with the app, you can get started with an exclusive welcome bonus. With your first deposit and wager (minimum $10), you can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses.
How To Sign Up
- Begin Registration: Click the gold ‘Sign Up’ button on the top right of the homepage.
- Enter your personal details including your email, address, mobile number, and SSN digits.
- Click “Send me a code” to verify your phone number and pre-fill some details automatically.
- Complete Registration: Click the gold ‘Complete registration’ button at the bottom of the form to finish the sign-up process.
BONUS
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DraftKings - Excellent live betting platform
DraftKings Sport In A Nutshell
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking DraftKings is all about daily fantasy sports. The sportsbook is just as good and is available in Virginia. New customers are welcomed with a Bet and Get bonus, and when you bet $5, you can get $300 in bonus bets if your first bet wins.
DraftKings offers both pre-match and in-play betting, and my go-to option is always live betting. I love sites that have a dedicated live betting platform, and DraftKings does not disappoint. Each live fixture provides real-time data, allowing you to make informed betting decisions, and most live fixtures offer over 20 different betting options. When wagering on live sports, don’t forget that odds are fluctuating every few seconds, so you must be on the ball and place your bets quickly.
How To Sign Up
- Visit the DraftKings website or download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button, usually located in the upper right corner of the website or app.
- Enter your personal details and choose a unique username.
- Create a secure password. It must be at least 10 characters long and include at least one letter, one number, and one special character.
- Click “Create Account” or “Continue” to finalize the registration process.
BONUS
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Pros and cons: Betting sites in Virginia
- Real money sports betting is legal in VA
- The best sportsbooks are available in Virginia
- Diverse betting markets with competitive odds
- Most VA sports bonuses have wagering requirements
Verdict - Several Virginia sportsbooks with competitive odds and markets
I have reached the one-yard line now and am ready to close up this Virginia sportsbooks guide. The next time someone asks you for your favorite Virginia sportsbooks, you should say FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings. Each brand is available in the Old Dominion and offers standout features, including regular bonuses, comprehensive betting markets, and excellent mobile betting options.
Two tips of advice: always use licensed and regulated VA sportsbooks, and please be dialed in when claiming bonuses. Take time to diarize the bonus terms and always track your gameplay.
Before I go, don’t forget to use the relevant banners on this page to sign up at my favorite betting sites in Virginia. Enjoy your betting and be responsible!
Discover the sportsbook bonuses we recommend
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- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
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Virginia sportsbooks FAQs
Are sportsbooks legal in Virginia?
Real money online sports betting is legal in Virginia and has been available since 2021. The Virginia Lottery operates and oversees the Virginia real-money online betting market.
What betting sites are legal in Virginia?
There are several legal online sports betting sites in Virginia, and five of my favorite sportsbooks are FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings.
What sports can I wager on?
Virginia sports betting laws prohibit in-state college betting, but you can wager on all professional sports like soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, football, baseball, hockey, and horse racing.