⭐ Virginia Online Gambling

The state of Virginia legalized online gambling in the form of sports betting in 2020. The Virginia sports betting market went live in January 2021, and since then, several sportsbooks have opened in the state. Online casinos were not a part of the Virginia gambling laws, but with the building of new land-based casinos, the gambling law might change quicker than anticipated. In just six months of operations, Virginia is one of the top betting states in terms of the betting handle. VA state sportsbooks have taken more than $1.3 billion in legal bets until June 2021 since sports betting debuted on 21 January 2021 in the state.

⭐ Virginia Sports Betting

Legal, real-money sports betting in Virginia became a reality when online sportsbooks officially opened in January 2021. The state had already passed gambling laws legalizing sports betting. However, the betting launch took its time, as there were no casino gambling venues in Virginia that could offer sports betting. At the moment, Virginia sportsbooks operate only online, making Virginia only the second sports betting state in the US to legalize online-only sports betting. Voters have approved brick-and-mortar casinos with the November 3, 2020 ballot. VA State laws allow for up to twelve online mobile sports betting apps, but only 7 of those online betting licenses were used by June 2021.

Virginia Betting Sites

Many sportsbooks have obtained a Virginia sports betting license so far. Fanduel Sportsbook got a head start with their partnership with Washington Football Team. DraftKings Sportsbook, BetRivers and BetMGM Virginia were the next sports betting sites to follow. Virginia betting sites give players up to $1,000 in bonuses.

WynnBET entered VA online gambling market in March 2021. Mobile only sportsbook.

⭐ Online Gambling in Virginia

Virginia residents can enjoy several forms of online gambling, including online betting, daily fantasy sports, horse racing, and games of chance provided by the Virginia State lottery. Virginia was the first state to legalize daily fantasy sports acknowledging the activity as a game of skill. However, casino games are not yet available in the Old Dominion.

Gambling Regulations

The gambling law that regulates online gambling in the State of Virginia quite similar to other states. In order to participate in regulated online gambling, you must be 21 years of age (21+). For daily fantasy sports the gambling age limit is 18. Furthermore, any Virginia resident above the age of 18 can purchase Virginia lottery tickets. If you want to play at Virginia gambling sites, you must be located within the state borders. Out of state play is not allowed.

Online Sports Betting

The U.S Supreme Court removed the ban on sports betting (PASPA) back in 2018. Virginia betting law passed in 2020. Online sportsbooks in Virginia finally opened in 2021. Interestingly, Virginia gambling laws allow betting on a professional sports venue to be built in the state. This could include a potential NFL, NHL, NBA, or MLS venue. Betting on college sports teams located in Virginia is not allowed in the state.

Virginia Casinos and Gambling

Virginia does not currently have any land-based casinos, and real money online gambling sites are still illegal, with the exception of sports betting. However, several land based casinos have been allowed in cities across the state, as long as the cities satisfy certain requirements.

• The poverty rate in the city is 20% or higher.
• Unemployment is 4% higher or more than the state’s overall rate.
• The population in the city has decreased by 20% or more in the past year.
• More than 40% of city real estate is tax-exempt.

VA Casino Gambling Cities

Accordingly, legislation was passed allowing casinos gambling in the following five cities:

1. Bristol
2. Danville
3. Norfolk
4. Portsmouth
5. Richmond (referendum is due)

Voters in all cities except Richmond have formally approved the project. The $600 Richmond One Casino & Resort, if approved in 2 November casino referendum, will be the only casino in the US under black ownership. The project includes a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, hotel, and theatre among other things.

Virginia Online Casinos

The favorable attitude towards casinos and the ongoing Virginia gambling boom might mean that online casino sites might be introduced next. The building of casino establishments is clearly a plan to revitalize cities in an economic downturn. Legalizing online casinos would therefore make sense in the Virginia gambling industry due to the potential revenue opportunity.

Historical Horse Racing

The Virginia gambling boom started with Historical Horse Racing or HHR. In 2019, Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County opened up a gambling facility with more than 600 HHR machines. In HHR, you bet on historical horse races without knowing their outcome. The HHR machine itself resembles a slot machine, and they are the closest to casino gaming you can get in Virginia. You can access HHR machines at the Colonial Downs racetrack, and four other off-track locations in Virginia.

Horse Racing

Virginia only has one race track, Colonial Downs, which offers pari-mutuel horse race betting. Offtrack betting is not allowed at the moment. However, with the legalization of sports gambling, Virginia residents can now place horse race bets across the United States. Dog racing is not available in Virginia.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Virginia was the first state to outright legalize daily fantasy sports in the US. This means that operators like Fanduel and DraftKings have a strong foothold in Virginia. Fantasy sports are not seen as online gambling in the Virginia gambling law, so any Virginia resident above the age of 18 can play online daily fantasy sports.It is seen as a game of skill.

Virginia State Lottery

Virginia Lottery was the first online gambling site in the state. You can play instant play games on their site, as well as buy tickets to big cash prize draws like Mega Millions. You have jackpots, Mega Millions, Powerball and other options.

Lottery Profits in Virginia

In 2020, the Virginia Lottery had sales of nearly $2.15 billion in sports betting revenue. 27.7% of the sales or over $595 million went for K-12 public education and 61.3% of the total went back to Virginia bettors and players in the form of prizes. All lottery profits from sports betting industry are used solely for educational purposes.

Sports Bettors Bill of Rights

The state of VA regulations mandates that for the sake of transparency and integrity, your rights include the knowledge of following apart from the right of data privacy and recourse.

1. Amount wagered on the bet
2. Odds
3. Payout sum
4. Fraud reporting and legal action
5. A prohibition on athletes, coaches, casino employees in unwarranted gambling activity
6. Casino contact information
7. Clear resources for problem gambling

⭐ New Virginia Gambling Sites

Virginia is a new online gambling state but is flexing muscles in terms of sportsbook betting handle revenue. As online gambling spreads in Virginia, more sports betting sites will join the existing ones. Furthermore, with the building of land-based casinos in many VA cities, Virginia gambling laws might change to allow online casino sites in the near future. Golden Nugget Virginia, Penn Sports (Barstool), and Bally’s are the newest online sports betting players in VA.

Last updated: 09/23/2022