Many online sportsbooks have flooded the Old Dominion State since the legalization of online betting — but only the best Virginia Sports betting sites deserve your attention!
There are 15 options in total, but BetMGM truly reigns supreme with its stellar betting market coverage, early lines, and competitive odds on nearly every sporting event under the sun.
We have the lowdown on four other top Virginia online sports betting sites that are nearly as good, so fill out your bet slips and get ready to dive into the action!
Whether you’re a resident of Virginia or visiting from out of state and eager to explore sports betting while enjoying the local Virginian charm, you can utilize these bonuses to enhance your bankroll.
Now, let’s delve into the world of online sports betting in Virginia, shall we?
Yes, online betting in Virginia has been legal since January 21, 2021.
As long as you are at least 21 years of age in the state of Virginia, you can bet at any of the state’s certified physical or online sportsbooks.
There are currently 16 active legal sportsbooks online in the Old Dominion State, with more expected to launch in the coming years.
This includes top legal sites like BetMGM, DraftKings, and Caesars.
You can bet on all major sports and leagues at Virginia sportsbooks, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and even quirkier events like table tennis or League of Legends tournaments in eSports.
These books also provide hundreds of prop bets for major sporting events such as the playoffs, the Super Bowl, and the World Series.
As for college sports, that’s legal in Old Dominion, too. You can place bets on anything from regular season college football, basketball, and basketball to rousing postseason matches like the bowl games, the NCAA Tournament, and the College World Series.
However, as per Virginia sports betting law, keep in mind that you can only bet on out-of-state college teams.
Explore our reviews below to uncover what makes these Virginia betting apps stand out from the competition.
Pros:
Cons:
BetMGM tops our rankings and has an exciting promo for new users.
Sign up and place your first wager, and you can score up to $1,500 in bonus bets if that initial wager goes bust.
Need any more incentive to sign up with the famous lion’s head? If you want fast payouts, BetMGM has you covered, as they’re one of the fastest in paying out withdrawals.
If you want to learn more, peek at our detailed BetMGM review.
Pros:
Cons:
BetRivers may not have the brand name like Caesars and DraftKings, but it’s proven to be a reliable online bookmaker and thus ranks 2nd on our list.
On that note, BetRivers is trying to make a name for itself. Virginians can rest assured they’re getting one of the best sign-up bonuses of any state. You can receive a second-chance bet worth up to $500 (BetRivers gives lower rates in other states).
Their payouts are fast, and their odds are simply fantastic. What you get at another book, BetRivers could give you a half-point to a point better. Their NBA online betting lines are also solid, so it’s worth checking if you want to chase some value while placing basketball bets.
An additional bonus is their rewards program, which you can use to redeem intriguing perks. New and novice bettors can do much worse than BetRivers in Old Dominion.
>>Grab $500 in second-chance bets
Pros:
Cons:
You can’t beat the Caesars Rewards Program. That is what sets it apart from other mobile sports betting sites in Virginia — the higher the tier, the better the benefits you’ll receive.
On your birthday month, you can get a free bet plus another free bet every month just for opting. Such excitement adds up!
While their live betting can be slow occasionally, it’s still an excellent sportsbook app with fantastic customer service.
Their payouts are as quick as any other book, and many users get their money in less than 30 minutes via options like PayPal. Plus, you can withdraw as little as $1!
With Caesars Sportsbook, Virginia sports bettors are getting one of the industry’s biggest players and the best loyalty program in one neat package.
>> Unlock your $1,000 refund bet
Pros:
Cons:
Initially known for its DFS offering, DraftKings has flawlessly transitioned and become one of the juggernauts of the American sports betting world, so it’s no surprise they’re right in the thick of Virginia sports betting.
In fact, it’s ranked as one of the best Colorado betting sites and is also a leading Indiana online sportsbook, so bettors in Virginia should already know that they are in safe hands here!
One thing that immediately sticks out about this VA betting site is its lightning-quick live betting interface. Remember, every second is crucial when wagering on an ongoing game.
Not only do they have a tremendous live-betting platform, but DraftKings also provides its players with a huge list of odds covering more leagues than you can imagine.
You might even see something like Lithuanian basketball late at night — yeah, those are the kind of niche markets DraftKings has.
For new users in the Old Dominion State, DraftKings has a doozy sign-up bonus for you. With only a $5 bet, they’ll give you $150 in bonus bets. Can you beat that for affordability?
BetMGM | BetRivers | Caesars | DraftKings | |
Bonuses and Promos | 4.9/5 | 4.85/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Security and Licensing | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Features | 4.9/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Sports Coverage | 5/5 | 4.95/5 | 4.85/5 | 4.8/5 |
Mobile App | 4.9/5 | 4.85/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Bet Types | 4.9/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Banking Options | 4.9/5 | 4.85/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Customer Service | 5/5 | 4.85/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Overall | 4.9/5 | 4.85/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
Lawmakers legalized sports betting in the Old Dominion State on April 22, 2020, with retail sports betting locations leading the way. After that, online sports betting became legal on January 21, 2021, and that’s when the best online sportsbooks we’ve listed entered the fray.
Almost three years later, Virginia has over 15 sportsbooks providing legal sports betting to Virginians all over the state.
The main thing is that you have to be 21 or older to bet and live within the state’s borders to make a legal, physical bet in Virginia. The same goes for online.
If you travel outside Virginia State borders, the geolocation will no longer allow you to be as it will detect you’ve left the legal area.
The VA online sports betting scene is buzzing, but let’s weigh the pros and cons for a clear picture:
Pros:
Cons:
Are you ready to get started on your sports-betting journey? Here’s how you can join one of our featured sites and place sports bets in Virginia:
As mentioned before, Old Dominion is the most populated state in America without a major professional sports team. The NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL have not yet placed a franchise in Virginia, but there is always hope on the horizon with expansion in all leagues.
With that being said, the state’s biggest college, the University of Virginia, has a few teams that the residents are passionate about, such as their football and basketball teams.
If you’re into other forms of gambling, the Old Dominion State has that as well, with everything from slot machines to the Virginia Lottery and even daily fantasy sports at your disposal.
Slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette are just some of the more popular casino games available at retail casinos in Virginia.
If you’re in the mood to walk into a casino to see the slot machines light up or play your hand at an actual poker table, you’re going to be looking for Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, which has seven locations across the state.
In 2023, Virginia welcomed a second retail casino with the opening of Rivers Casino Portsmouth to give Virginians another option to play slots and card games.
Unfortunately, you’ll only find two poker rooms in Old Dominion.
So, if you want to play a game of cards, you can head on over to these locations:
Unlike sports betting, you only have to be 18 years old or older to place wagers on horse racing.
Fortunately, while Virginia doesn’t have a ton of horse race tracks, they’ve got a great one in Colonial Downs.
In Virginia, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites like DraftKings and Yahoo Fantasy Sports are legal and regulated.
Residents can join these leading DFS platforms to create fantasy teams and compete for cash prizes based on real players’ performances in games.
That concludes our Virginia sports betting guide! Your next step is to place your first sports wager.
While BetMGM shines as our top pick for Virginia sports betting, be sure to revisit our guide for a complete list of recommended platforms.
Remember to gamble responsibly and stay within your budget when placing online sports bets.
Best of luck!
Do you have questions about legal sports betting in the Old Dominion State?
We’ve answered several vital questions new players have about the Virginia sports betting industry and how it pertains to the law. Find all the answers to your questions below!
Yes, sports betting is fully legal in Virginia as long as you’re 21 or older.
You can place your bets with retail and online sportsbooks regulated by the Virginia Gaming Control Board.
BetMGM is the best Virginia sports betting app available currently.
We like this platform because of its smooth overall app that includes everything from competitive odds to a wonderful live-betting experience. You won’t find a better app in its entirety than you will with BetMGM, one of the industry’s most respected names.
They also have a nice welcome bonus for new users where you get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your initial wager loses.
Not bad, right?
On that note, there are three other online Virginia sportsbook apps to check out: BetRivers, DraftKings, and Caesars are all worth a look.
Yes, you can place live bets online in Virginia. Every single book we’ve listed in this article has a live-betting platform.
BetMGM’s in-play betting interface is lightning fast and good enough to rival DraftKings, our top choice for live online betting.
Yes, DFS is available in the Old Dominion State for players who are 18 or older.
Users can use apps like DraftKings to build fantasy sports teams.
No, you don’t have to live in Virginia, but you must be within Virginia state borders to legally place a wager on a sporting event.
So if you come to the state to visit a friend and go on BetMGM and place a bet, it’s legal. If you drove outside of state borders and tried making that same bet on BetMGM, it would not allow it because the geolocator would not verify you.
Unless it’s DFS or horse racing, you must be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in the Old Dominion State.
Federal tax is going to cost you 24%, while Virginia will take a 2-5.75% cut of your winnings if you come out of the full year making $600 or more in revenue.
There are so many Virginia sports betting bonuses worth claiming! For affordability, it’s difficult to match what BetMGM has got going right now.
Your first bet will be insured, so if it ends up losing, you’ll get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets.
There are plenty of sports that you can bet on in Virginia, but Football is the most popular option for most bettors.
Even though football is king in the Old Dominion State, basketball is getting bigger and bigger. College football also dominates in the autumn.
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DISCLAIMER: 21+ only. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.
Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this guide may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local laws.
If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
The following resources may be helpful as well:
Interactive map with projections and information about the legalization for every state.
Legalization TrackerDiscover which sportsbooks are the most trustworthy, offer the best bonuses, and find the active promo codes.
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