Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
We’re very happy to report that Virginia does indeed allow sports betting across various channels, and as of this year, it continues to be one of the most trustworthy and regulated states in the US when it comes to wagering on sports. This is different from how it goes with
sports betting in Texas
and other states that ban online betting.
We’re going to recommend some of our favorite sports betting platforms a little later on, but for now, let’s have a look at the various ways you can bet on sports legally in Old Dominion.
3 ways to bet on sports in Virginia
There are three main ways that you can bet on sports in the state of Virginia. Let’s take a look:
1. Online sportsbooks and apps
By far, the most convenient and popular way to wager on all your favorite sports is via licensed
online sportsbooks
or apps. There are currently 11 licensed sports betting sites operating in the state, including heavy hitters like FanDuel and DraftKings, as well as some other well established operations that we will discuss shortly.
2. Brick and mortar establishments
If you love the excitement of betting on sports in an old school environment, then you can head down to various brick and mortar establishments in the state of Virginia. Just like
Tennessee sports betting, wagering on your favorite teams is legal in Virginia, and you’re invited to do so at the local venues.
It looks like more may be added in the future, but at present, popular destinations include Bristol, Portsmouth and Danville, where you’ll find some great traditional physical sports betting venues where you can enjoy the action amongst your fellow bettors and spectators.
3. Temporary facilities
As we wait for the arrival of more permanent brick and mortar sports betting establishments, there are several temporary facilities that are opening up across the state.
For example, one popped up in Petersburg in January 2026, and offers retail wagering while the permanent installation is under construction. This is an indication that sports betting is only going to get more accessible in the state.
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Rules for Virginia online sports betting to be aware of
As we can see, Virginia is definitely one of the more relaxed states when it comes to sports betting. Recently, more and more states have changed the laws to allow more online and in-person betting to take place. For instance,
sports betting in Illinois
has only just been made legal as of 2026. However, wagering in VA is not without its restrictions. It’s always advisable to check for changes in the law, as gambling laws in particular change frequently.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the particularities of Virginia gambling law that you need to be aware of.
🚫 No In-State College Betting Allowed
In order to protect amateur athletes and players, Virginia introduced some very strict laws surrounding college betting. You are absolutely prohibited from betting on Virginia-based College teams, such as UVA or Virginia Tech, regardless of where their games are being played.
You also can’t place prop bets on individual performances in any college game even outside of VA.
Paying taxes on your winnings is something you must be aware of in Virginia, so as to comply with the federal and state laws. Sportsbooks pay 15% on their adjusted gross revenue (AGR), and for players, gambling winnings are considered taxable income.
There isn’t a separate gambling tax for individuals, so you must report all your winnings on your state and federal tax returns each year.
🎟️ Eligibility of Sports Betting in Virginia
As with
Michigan sports betting, you must be at least 21 years old and physically located within the state in order to legally bet. Geolocation technology is strictly enforced, meaning that you cannot access online sportsbooks based in VA from outside of the state, and you shouldn’t try to either.
5 best VA sports betting sites
Now that you know all about how sports betting works in the state of Virginia, it’s time to look at our selection of the best online operators that you can join today.
DraftKings – bringing bettors together
DraftKings Pros & Cons
- Extensive daily fantasy integration
- Frequent promotions and bonus offers
- Highly competitive betting odds
- Wide variety of casino games
- High rollover requirements on bonuses
One of the most famous sportsbooks in the US, DraftKings is a mammoth site that continues to bring in legions of fans. Championing the social element of betting, the ‘Social’ tab on the site lets you follow friends or top handicappers to see what they’re betting on and/or playing, which adds a great sense of community into the experience.
The mobile app is incredibly good, allowing you to jump from domestic to International events quickly and easily, as well as explore the various in-play, live betting functions. The current welcome offer is ‘Bet $5 and Get $300 in Bonus Bets’, and there’s also the option for daily free-to-play pools, and the Dynasty Rewards program, which rewards continued loyalty to the platform.
FanDuel – perfect for parlays
FanDuel Pros & Cons
- Seamless integration of sportsbook and casino
- Diverse casino game selection
- Frequent promotions for both platforms
- User-friendly and responsive interface
- High playthrough requirements on bonuses
Another huge name in the sports betting arena, FanDuel remains one of the most popular platforms and apps for sports bettors in the USA. Possibly one of their biggest USPs is the ‘Same Game Parlay Plus’, which lets you combine multiple parlays from different games into one big ticket.
While many sites now offer the same game parlay type of bets, FanDuel was the first and, some would say, the best.
At present, you can snap up a ‘Bet $5 and Get $250 in Bonus Bets’ welcome offer when you sign up for a new account at the site. Plus, FanDuel also runs frequent odds boosts on local favorites and the refer-a-friend bonuses are some of the most generous in the industry, making it a top choice for punters in the state of Virginia.
BetMGM – listen to the Lion’s roar!
For those who like a sense of luxury, BetMGM has long been regarded as one of the most sophisticated sportsbooks around. The website and app are sleek, modern and offer a seamless experience, and the brand offers some truly great promotions and rewards.
Right now, you can get a first bet offer of up to $1,500 when you open a new account. If your first bet doesn’t win, the house will refund your stake in the form of bonus bets.
At the core of BetMGM experience is the ‘Lion’s Boost’, which gives you daily enhanced odds on high profile matches, leagues and events. They also offer parlay insurance, so that if one leg of your five-match parlay fails, they will refund your stake in the form of bonus bets. There’s also the ‘Edit My Bet’ tool which gives you the ability to add, swap or remove legs from an active wager.
bet365 – get your winnings early
BET365: Pros & Cons
- Available in NJ, PA and other US states
- Sportsbook and online casino platform
- Welcome bonus for New Jersey and PA customers
- Extensive range of sports betting markets
- Not a homegrown US sportsbook
Another titan of industry, bet365 is well known across the planet and is a beloved platform in the state of Virginia. bet365 is the king of ‘early payout’ offers, which is one of the best reasons to sign up for an account.
For instance, if you bet on an NBA team and they go up by 20 points at any time, your bet is marked as a winner right there and then, even if they end up losing the game in the fourth quarter.
The brand offers similar instant win triggers for other sports, including NFL, MLB and soccer. Their in-play betting and live streaming services are also pretty unmatched, with the site offering hundreds of unique markets on a ton of domestic and international sports, all streamed live to any device.
You can also choose your welcome package when you sign up to bet365. At the moment, the sportsbook is giving you either a ‘First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000’, or ‘Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets’ – simply choose which one is best for you!
Caesars – helping you boost your winnings from day 1
Caesars Pros & Cons
- Elite loyalty rewards program integration
- Wide range of betting markets
- User-friendly sportsbook and casino interface
- Frequent promotions for new players
- Limited customization in betting options
Another classic name, Caesars keeps things sophisticated and traditional on a modern and easy-to-use site that rewards its players regularly. For example, the ‘Emperor’s Orders’ daily boosts offer you enhanced odds on a range of matches and events.
Caesars is also very well known for offering some of the highest betting limits in Virginia, which makes them one of the top choices for bettors with a large bank roll.
When it comes to bonuses, players in VA can currently take advantage of the ‘Bet $1 Get 10 100% Profit Boosts’ promo when they sign up for a new account. This offer will help you effectively double your winnings on your first 10 bets when you join.
The rewards program is also regarded as one of the most generous around, and you can track your ‘Tier Credits’ in real time as you bet. This sportsbook also drops frequent ‘Profit Boost’ tokens into their players account, which allow you to choose which of your own bets you want to enhance by between the 25% and 50%. These promos are subject to change, but Caesars is definitely one of the most generous sportsbooks around, in our opinion.
What’s on offer at VA sports betting sites?
The great thing about betting on sports in Virginia is that you have access to some of the best sites in the country. Here’s what you can expect.
- Domestic and international sports:
All your favorite sports, leagues and matches will be covered at a top VA sportsbook. NBA, MLB, NFL, soccer, boxing and MMA, motorsports, eSports and tennis are pretty much a given, as well as popular international sports, such as golf, rugby, Formula 1 and cricket. Plus, these sites will give you the option to bet on sports in real time via in-play betting and live streaming.
- Frequent bonuses and player rewards:
Although subject to change, you can expect a great range of frequent bonuses and promos at the best sports betting sites in VA. From welcome packages and free bets to tiered loyalty programs and VIP clubs, the leading brands will consistently reward your returned custom with a variety of perks and benefits.
How do these sportsbooks’ apps compare?
We’ve taken a good look at the legality of sports betting sites in Virginia, and given you some of our favorite operators to consider. So how do these brands compare when it comes to gaming on the go? Below, we’ve detailed each operator’s app, along with its current app store rating, the name of its loyalty program, and what we think each platform is best suited for.
| Sportsbook |
App Store Rating |
Loyalty Program |
Best For… |
| DraftKings |
4.8 ⭐ |
Dynasty Rewards |
Social features & deep markets |
| FanDuel |
4.9 ⭐ |
FanDuel Players Club |
Intuitive design & payout speed |
| BetMGM |
4.8 ⭐ |
MGM Rewards |
High-rollers & luxury hotel perks |
| bet365 |
4.8 ⭐ |
bet365 Loyalty |
Live bettors & early payouts |
| Caesars |
4.7 ⭐ |
Caesars Rewards |
Straightforward UI & local VA perks |
Pros & cons of Virginia sportsbooks
Pros and Cons
- Most types of sports bets are legal
- Access to the best online sportsbooks
- Many apps to choose from
- All college betting markets banned
Sports betting in Virginia – it’s only going to get better!
It’s clear from our analysis today that sports betting in Virginia is not only legal, but is on its way to becoming even more accessible. With access to 11 licensed and secure sportsbooks and apps already, as well as the ability to visit brick-and-mortar establishments across the state, it seems that Old Dominion is the place to be!
Furthermore, there are also lots of temporary facilities popping up across Virginia, which is a great indication that more venues are on their way to satisfy the residents of the state.
We’ve given you our five top choices for online sportsbooks in Virginia, so now all you have to do is choose one and sign up today.
Try out these top tier sports betting bonus offers
1.
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2.
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4.
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Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit
Best Alternative
Open DraftKings
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
5.
Best Alternative
Open DraftKings
Virginia sports betting FAQs
❓ What’s the best sports betting site in Virginia?
We don’t believe that there is any one site that is necessarily better than another when it comes to sports betting in Virginia. That said, you must look for licensed sites that will give you a secure and safe environment in which to place your bets. Further to that, we also advise looking for a great user experience, mobile app, comprehensive sportsbook that covers a wide range of domestic and international events, competitive odds and markets, and the option for in-play betting and live streams.
🇺🇲 Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
In short, yes. Sports betting is legal in the state of Virginia, but it does have some restrictions in place. For instance, you cannot make any bets on college teams in any sport within the state, even if the team is playing outside of VA. Furthermore, you must be eligible to play in the state. That means you must be at least 21 years of age or older, and must be present in the state of Virginia when you use the sportsbook of your choice.
📳 Can I bet on sports in Virginia on my mobile?
Absolutely! Most sportsbooks that operate in Virginia will offer you a native app that you can download to your iOS or Android device. If they don’t, don’t worry! All of the best sportsbooks in the state will offer a perfectly mobile-optimized experience so that you can place your bets from any device you wish, such as a smartphone or tablet.
🪙 Can I get a bonus to play at sportsbooks in Virginia?
Usually, yes. As sports betting is legal in Virginia, you should have access to a wide range of ongoing bonuses and promotions from the best operators in the state. Check the banners on this page to see exactly what’s available at the present time in your area.
🤔 Can I still play at a VA sportsbook if I’m on holiday outside of the state?
Unfortunately, no. One of the strict rules surrounding sports betting in Virginia is that you must be present within state lines when placing bets. Even if you are a resident of Virginia, the moment you go to a state where sports betting is restricted, you are no longer permitted to place wages at any VA-based sportsbook. That said, we advise that you go and enjoy your holiday – the sports betting sites will be waiting for you when you get back!
