Online sports betting launched in Virginia on January 21, 2021, with FanDuel starting operations the same day. Now, the state is home to 15+ brands, including top names like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars. It has experienced impressive growth, with monthly handles reaching millions.
The VA sports betting legislation also allows authorized casinos to operate retail sportsbooks, which are all overseen by the Virginia Lottery Board. In this article, we'll be breaking down the sports betting regulations in the state, including the timeline of events that led to legalization. We'll also explore some VA sports betting sites you can wager at and more.







| Legal Status | ✅ Legal |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | January 21, 2021 |
| Regulating Body | The Virginia Lottery |
| Number of Licensed Betting Sites | 15+ |
| Legal Online Sportsbooks | Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Hard Rock Bet, FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, and more |
| Minimum Sports Betting Age | 21+ years of age |
| Betting Restrictions | In state college teams, college prop bets, and high school betting |
| Tax Rate on Winnings | Up to 5.75% |
Before you begin to wager on any sportsbook in Virginia, it is important to read up on the new changes in the sports betting scene. We’ve put together some of the most recent events that are worth noting below.
August 29, 2025 – The Virginia Lottery released its July 2025 sports wagering activity report; fourteen mobile operators and three casinos were authorized to take bets.
August 5, 2025 – Attorney General Jason Miyares joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general urging the United States Department of Justice to crack down on illegal offshore sportsbooks.
July 31, 2025 – The Virginia Lottery released its June 2025 sports wagering activity report.
May 30, 2025 – The Virginia Lottery released its April 2025 sports wagering activity report.
April 30, 2025 – The Virginia Lottery issued its March 2025 sports wagering activity report.
March 26, 2025 – Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed creating a unified Virginia Gaming Commission, which would consolidate oversight including sports betting.
Virginia is home to over 15 sportsbooks, which means bettors are spoiled for options. To make the selection process easier, we’ve compiled a list of 7 platforms that stand out for their bonuses, sports market coverage, mobile apps, and more. Check out the table below for a quick overview.
| AZ Sportsbook | Best For |
|---|---|
| Bet365 | Live betting |
| BetMGM | Regular promotions |
| Caesars | Caesars Reward Program |
| Hard Rock Bet | Soccer betting |
| FanDuel | DFS platform |
| DraftKings | Mobile app and live betting |
| Fanatics | Mobile-centered design |
When it comes to sports betting operators with an international customer base, bet365 is among the top names on the list. The sportsbook has been live in Virginia since 2023, with the Washington Commanders as its licensing partner.
bet365 is a great fit in Virginia if you want a deep global menu and rapid in-play. The Bet Builder makes it easy to stitch correlated legs from one game (alts, player stats, totals), and live streaming is available on a wide slate so you can watch and wager without leaving the app.
Editor’s Note: bet365 has several features that make your time on the site stress-free. These include a cash-out feature to minimize losses, live streaming options for sports and horse racing, and a Bet Builder+ that lets you combine bets from various sports. Combining these features with its competitive odds and bonuses makes it a top option.
Since its Virginia launch in 2021, BetMGM has remained one of the top options for bettors in the state. The operator offers several exciting ongoing promotions, like its Refer a friend offer, parlay boosts, Second chance bonus, and giveaways, with one of the best welcome bonuses available.
BetMGM leans into control and flexibility for Virginians: One Game Parlay covers the big leagues, Cash Out is broadly available, and Edit My Bet lets you add/swap legs or adjust stakes on eligible tickets mid-game; useful when momentum flips during Pacers-Wizards or Commanders matchups you’re tracking.
Editor’s Note: BetMGM is a decent option for parlay bets with regular ongoing promotions to ensure you always have an advantage each week. You can find trustworthy payment options like Apple Pay, PayPal, bank cards, and e-wallets to pick from, and these are available for both deposits and withdrawals.
Caesars is one of the best in the business. With massive bonuses, excellent loyalty rewards, live streaming, and access to over 25 sports markets, Caesars sportsbook is great for sports betting action in Virginia. The welcome bonus on Caesars is a fun addition and is a unique offer even among US sportsbooks.
Caesars Casino acts as the licensing partner for Caesars sportsbook in Virginia, and there is an option to visit the casino for in-person sports betting action. Since its launch in 2021, Caesars has remained consistent in offering high-quality services with fast customer support, mobile betting options, and trustworthy payment services.
Editor’s Note: Caesars is another VA sports betting option with a live streaming service, trustworthy payment options, and great odds for bettors. You can check out our Caesers Sportsbook review to find out more.
Hard Rock Bet in Virginia is built for live action and creative parlays: the app’s Flex Parlay uses a risk-reward slider so you can trade a bit of top-end payout for protection if a leg or two misses, while SGP Max lets you combine multiple same-game parlays (and even futures) into one ticket, which is great for stitching Commanders, Capitals, and college hoops angles together.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of online sports betting or prefer in-person action, Hard Rock Bet is an excellent pick. The operator runs a legal online sports betting platform along with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, which is open 24/7.
Editor’s Note: Hard Rock Bet offers access to a limited number of sports markets, but it does its best to remain attractive with a decent loyalty program, flex parlays, regular profit boosts, and insurance on parlay bets. You can read our Hard Rock Bet review for more insights into the offers on this platform.
FanDuel is one of the few US operators with a massive presence in the online sports betting and daily fantasy sports scenes. The operator is available in most legal US states, and its partnership with the Washington Commanders ensures its smooth operations in Virginia.
FanDuel in Virginia is built for speed and Same Game Parlays, and its live tab gets extra punch from The Pulse, a storyline-driven feed of micro-markets that update as the action swings. FanDuel offers access to the major sports and leagues, including Basketball (NBA), Football (NFL), Baseball (MLB), Hockey (NHL), Soccer (MLS, EPL), UFC, and Golf. VA bettors can find some of the most competitive odds on the market, with the option to place live bets, moneylines, futures, or parlays.
Editor’s Note: FanDuel offers a downloadable mobile app on iOS and Android, meaning you can place bets on the go within seconds. Bonuses, 24/7 customer support, live streaming, and secure payment methods are also available on the mobile app, so you’re not missing any crucial feature. Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook review for more insights into its offerings.
As one of the top operators in the country, DraftKings secured an untethered license in 2021 for online sports betting in Virginia. Thanks to this license, the sportsbook does not need a retail partner to operate in the Old Dominion.
Choosing DraftKings for sports betting gives you access to various services, including its daily fantasy sports option, free-to-play pools, and a loyalty rewards program. With more than 30 sports markets available and minimum deposits of $5, placing your first wager on the sportsbook is straightforward.
Editor’s Note: The DraftKings pools are great for side attractions that give you a chance to get decent payouts. You can participate in free or paid versions of these pools, and if your picks win, you get a part of the prize pool. Popular pools include the Pick’Ems, where you need to predict the correct scores of a match, and the Survivors, where you must choose an NFL game winner each week. The free pools are great when you’re low on funds or just want a relaxing and free sports betting experience.
Starting as a vendor for sports apparel, Fanatics' foray into the sports betting scene in 2020 has been a massive success for the company. It is now prominent in the Virginia, Arizona, and Maryland sports betting scenes. Although it only offers betting through its mobile app, this doesn't diminish the quality of its service.
One of the standout features of Fanatics is its Fair Play on prop bets. Thanks to this feature, Fanatics Virginia bettors get a refund on NFL player prop bets in the case of an injury in the first or second quarter. If it’s a parlay, the Fair Play lets the other bets run, so you still have a chance to win.
Editor’s Note: Fanatics gives you a chance to receive up to 10% FanCash whenever you place a bet, and you can use this currency to make purchases on its shop, buy game tickets, get sports cards, or convert to bonus bets. Read our Fanatics sportsbook review to learn more.
Virginia is one of the only major US states that does not have a home-based professional team. This means Virginia sportsbooks don't have partnerships with any home-based teams similar to what you’d find in states like New York.
However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of popular teams to wager on. Since it is in close proximity to Washington, many fans back their franchises located in the state, including the Washington Wizards and Washington Commanders, among others. These teams always feature on top sportsbooks and provide many betting opportunities.
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular sports you can tap into today.
The NFL attracts the most attention in Virginia, with the Washington Commanders as the first choice for many bettors. This is not surprising since the team has 3 Super Bowl victories and appeared in the finals twice.
The Washington Commanders typically feature in more than 15 games every season and have multiple sports betting partners. You can expect competitive odds with great bonuses attached anytime they have a game.
There’s also the Baltimore Ravens for bettors who want an alternative. They are within proximity to Virginia and have 2 Super Bowl and 2 AFC championships credited to them. You’ll find an excellent range of bet types to back any of your choices on VA sportsbooks, from moneylines to parlays and much more.
The NBA market is also thriving in Virginia, and we have teams like the Washington Wizards to thank. It is one of the closest NBA teams in the state, so it naturally attracts lots of attention from bettors and fans alike.
While it has only claimed the NBA Championship once, it has 7 division titles and four conference titles under its belt. There's always an opportunity to tap into here during the NBA season, since they'll feature in over 80 games. Many top sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings will also provide many offers from NBA boosts to parlay insurance, which make every wager worthwhile.
The MLB betting market is also popular in Virginia, with the Washington Nationals getting the most attention. It has one World Series title, five division titles, with the most recent being in 2013, and one league pennant. With the Nationals playing over 80 games at the national stadium, there are more than enough to keep any VA bettor going.
Alternatively, you can back the Baltimore Orioles. They have three World Series credited to them and are behind Hall of Famers like Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson. You’ll find extensive MLB markets on top sportsbooks like BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars. This also comes with a variety of betting options such as Run line, totals, futures, and live betting.
However, beyond the MLB, there are other professional baseball leagues you can leverage. Top options are the World Baseball Classic, Mexican League, and Korean Baseball Organization, among others. Each of these has some great games and sometimes comes with more favorable odds than you'd find on the MLB.
The fast-paced and rugged nature of the NHL has made it another top choice for fans and bettors in Virginia. Many players opt to back the Washington Capitals, a team that's been around since 1974. It recently won the Stanley Cup in 2018, and has 3 Eastern Conference titles and 15 division titles, which is impressive. If you choose to wager on this team, you will typically find moneylines, props, futures, pucklines, and more.
College sports are a huge deal in Virginia, with each event drawing in over 40,000 fans on average. However, Virginia does not support wagers placed on in-state college teams, similar to New York. This means residents can’t bet on the University of Virginia Cavaliers or Virginia Tech Hokies.
Nonetheless, VA bettors have the option of focusing on external college teams. Great options include the North Carolina Tar Heels, Temple Owls, Georgetown Hoyas, and many others. Most of these teams feature in football, basketball, and baseball, meaning there is always an opportunity to leverage. These include team props and spreads such as those available on North Carolina sports betting sites.
Soccer is a universal game and holds a solid position in the Virginia betting market. There are many leagues to tap into here, such as the Major Soccer League and USL Championships.
If you prefer College sports, there are out-of-state teams that you can wager on, like the North Carolina Tar Heels with 2 NCAA titles, and the Maryland Terrapins with 4 NCAA Championships to their name. There are always ongoing events in these leagues, ensuring you never run out of options.
VA bettors can also set their sights on the international soccer markets. This is a more exciting option with a focus on competitions like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Serie A, and English Premier League. Each of these leagues draws attention from bettors around the world, especially those backing teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.
The odds are always highly competitive, with top sportsbooks in Virginia like DraftKings and bet365 offering the opportunity to stream events and make live bets.
Virginia’s sports betting scene started to change as soon as PASPA was deemed unconstitutional. In 2020, the state passed two gaming bills that authorized retail sportsbooks, online sports betting, and the development of up to five casinos.
SB 384 supports licenses for up to 12 online Spottsbooks. It also gives professional sports locations, casinos, and the two NASCAR racetracks to establish online betting sites. Additionally, Virginia casinos had the option to apply for licenses allowing them to offer retail sports betting.
In terms of regulation, the power lies in the hands of the Virginia Lottery. The Virginia betting bill features some key aspects, including:
Here’s a breakdown of the timeline of events that made online sports betting a reality in Virginia:
Sports betting is not the only option available for bettors in the state. Below are a few of the top picks for residents looking for an alternative.
Like most US states, Virginia has a lottery regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board. It is a major source of revenue for the region, with proceeds channelled to public education. Tickets come in different ranges, with some starting from $1. You can take part in draw games like Mega Millions, Cash 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and scratch cards. One of the most recent lottery winners claimed an impressive $348 million, making this the largest in the history of the state.
The history of Horse racing in Virginia dates back to 1988, with Colonial Downs getting the first racetrack license in 1994. This is still operating to date and is the authorized location for thoroughbred and harness racing. It also hosts the summer live racing season and the Virginia Derby, which draws in hundreds of fans from around the world.
Bettors can also wager on legal online VA racetracks, including notable names like TwinSpires, TVG, and NYRA Bets. These feature a massive collection of markets, ensuring you never run out of races to wager on. Those who prefer off-track betting can check out the Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and OTB sites operating under the licenses of Colonial Downs and Rosie.
DFS contests became legal in Virginia in 2016 with legislation indicating the licensing process and responsible gambling regulations. Today, there are many Daily Fantasy Sports platforms with a license to operate in the state. These include notable options like DraftKings and FanDuel, which are undoubtedly some of the best in the DFS scene. Residents who are at least 18 years old and enjoy skill-based competitions can enter for as low as $1. The options are decent with the ability to create fantasy teams around the NBA, NFL, NHL, and even soccer.
Virginia does not support real money online gambling at the moment. However, there have been lots of conversations discussing the possibility of making it a reality. Fortunately, Sweepstakes casinos are accessible to residents who want to play casino-style games.
These platforms don't require any purchase to begin, and allow players access to games like slots, fish games, tables, and live dealer titles using virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. The Gold Coins are for entertainment purposes, while the Sweeps Coins winnings can be redeemed for prizes after meeting wagering requirements. This model does not go against the laws in Virginia, making it a great choice.
Virginia is home to retail locations where you can wager in person. Here’s a list of the options consisting of sportsbooks, casinos, and racetracks, along with their locations.
Yes, the legislation to legalize online sports betting in the state was passed in 2020. However, online sports betting launched on January 21, 2021, with FanDuel making a debut the same day.
Bettors who want to wager in Virginia must be at least 21 years of age. Top betting sites will require you to submit your ID to ensure you are of legal age.
Virginia taxes a 15% operator tax on operator adjusted revenue. However, bettors will need to pay up to 5.75%, depending on winnings.
There are 15+ sportsbooks in Virginia, including Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Hard Rock Bet, FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, and more.
No, you don’t need to be a resident of Virginia to wager in the state. So long as you are physically present in VA, you can place bets on your favorite teams.
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Damien Souness as part of our fact-checking process.
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