Virginia sports betting has been live online since Jan. 1, 2021, when the Virginia Lottery licensed its first online operators. Bettors in the state can now choose from over a dozen legal sportsbook apps. 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia?

Sports betting is legal in Virginia for any person physically located in the state and 21 years of age or older at the time the wager is placed. Sports betting in Virginia is regulated by the Virginia Lottery.

Best Virginia Sportsbooks and Betting Apps

With over ten different apps for users to choose from in Virginia, picking a sports betting app can be a challenge for residents. We’ve tried to help you make an informed decision about what app to use for sports betting in Virginia with some highlights and downsides about the apps. 

FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia

• FanDuel Sportsbook has pioneered Same Game Parlays, and their bet builder tool is one of the best in the business.
• When you log in to FanDuel Sportsbook, you’ll see multiple different options for pre-made or “celebrity” recommended wagers to help give you ideas of what to bet on.
• FanDuel Sportsbook provides some of the best player prop lines in the market, often with better value than competitors.
• The live betting options from FanDuel Sportsbook provide you with real-time odds, so bets can be placed quickly.
• It is often a challenge to get issues resolved on FanDuel Sportsbook because they rely on customer service bots to get customers navigated.

BetMGM Sportsbook Virginia

• BetMGM Sportsbook provides users with a great rewards program that can be converted into bonus bets or redeemed for hotel stays and other perks at MGM properties.
• Adding to a wager, or taking a leg out when you are second-guessing yourself, is a great feature that BetMGM Sportsbook provides via the “Edit My Bet” feature.
• Users frequently receive parlay and other profit boosts for the four major sports from BetMGM Sportsbook.
• Some of the best lines and vigorish are listed on BetMGM Sportsbook.
• It can be a bit difficult to build a Same Game Parlay on BetMGM Sportsbook, as it has a bit more lag than competitors.

bet365 Sportsbook Virginia

• Most sportsbooks offer some sort of bonus, but bet365 offers users a chance to use them in flexible ways with customizable dollar increments.
• If you want to bet on international sports and live sports, bet365 has more options than many books and good lines.
• There are early payout options from bet365 that cash tickets if your team goes up big at any point in the game.
• Bet365 is known for quickly restricting bet sizes for consistently winning bettors.

Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia

• Fanatics Sportsbook offers users FanCash for every wager placed that can be used for merchandise and sports memorabilia.
• The sportsbook was developed as mobile-only, which gives Fanatics Sportsbook one of the best interfaces.
• Users are protected from injuries by Fanatics Sportsbook, which refunds bets if a player leaves early due to injury.
• You can search the options easily on Fanatics Sportsbook and see all available options in one spot.
• There can often be strict expirations on bonus bets and credits on Fanatics Sportsbook.

theScore Bet Virginia

• theScore Bet Virginia provides great lines for niche markets, specifically tennis and some favorable rules for bettors.
• With a rewards program backed by PENN Play, you’ll be able to use your rewards for real-world perks at PENN casinos.
• In-play coverage and stats are updated quickly, giving you great information to use and bet on with theScore Bet.
• Users are frequently provided with odds boosts and reduced lines on spreads within theScore Bet.
• There can be lags and delays when using theScore Bet, causing frustration when trying to wager.

Hard Rock Bet Virginia

• Users routinely rate Hard Rock Bet as one of the best user experiences in the sports betting market.
• The Unity Rewards program gives bettors points to use on real-world perks at Hard Rock hotels, restaurants, and casinos.
• The Same Game Parlay and bet builder tool is one of the best in the market and makes it easy for Hard Rock Bet users to place wagers.
• There are weekly rewards given to Hard Rock Bet bettors, and ways to earn even more throughout the week.
• While the weekly boosts are nice, it doesn’t compare as much to many sportsbooks that are offering daily boosts.

Virginia Sportsbook Welcome Offers

Welcome offers provide a nice way for new sports bettors to get in on the action. Virginia sportsbooks tend to offer new users one of three formats: deposit match, profit boosts, or bet-and-get formats for their reward. A deposit match will give a new user bonus cash matching at 100% or lower for their initial deposit. Profit boosts are provided to give you a chance at more winnings if you hit your first bet. A bet-and-get offer usually requires a new bettor to wager a small amount and receive bonus funds in their account.   

How to Sign Up for a Sportsbook in Virginia

1. Download the Virginia sportsbook app of your choice.
2. Enter your personal information.
3. Go through account verification and location checks.
4. Deposit funds into your account.
5. Claim the welcome offer. Note: This step may be completed during the sign-up process.
6. Place your first wager. (You must be within the state limits to wager, and note that being by the border of a state could fail the geolocation check).

Virginia Sports Betting Laws and Timeline

Sports betting has been legal in Virginia since April 22, 2020, when Governor Ralph Northam signed House Bill 896 into law. The online market launched before retail spaces, with the first mobile sportsbook live on January 21, 2021. The first retail location opened July 8th, 2022. 

Teams and Markets to Bet On in Virginia

Virginia does not have any professional sports teams and is the most populous state without a major sports franchise. They do have some popular college teams like Virginia, Virginia Tech, and even smaller schools such as George Mason or Liberty. 

College Sports Betting Rules in Virginia

Betting on college sports is legal in Virginia, but you cannot bet on any in-state team or player props in any state. 

Retail Sportsbooks in Virginia

Virginia does have multiple retail sportsbook locations, with most of them located at casinos or racetracks. There are electronic betting kiosks or actual humans taking the wagers for you at the locations. 

Licensed Retail Locations:

Caesars Virginia (Caesars Sportsbook) – Danville

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol (Hard Rock Bet) – Bristol

Rivers Casino Portsmouth (BetRivers Sportsbook) – Portsmouth

Responsible Gambling Resources in Virginia

• 1-800-GAMBLER
• 1-800-MY-RESET
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gam-Anon and Gamblers Anonymous
• Virginia Lottery Voluntary Exclusion Program
• Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline – 888-532-3500

Virginia Sports Betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Virginia?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Virginia for any person over 21 and physically in the state at the time of placing the bet. 

What is the best sportsbook in Virginia?

The best sportsbook in Virginia is whichever one you enjoy using the most. There are dozens of apps and all have their benefits and drawbacks, so give them all a try!

How old do you have to be to bet in Virginia?

You must be at least 21 to place a wager on sports in Virginia.

Can you bet on college sports in Virginia?

Yes, you can bet on college sports in Virginia, but you cannot bet on any in-state school or collegiate player props in any state. 

Do you have to live in Virginia to bet there?

You do not need to be a Virginia resident to bet there, but you do need to register and physically be located inside the state when you place the wager. 

How many sportsbooks are legal in Virginia?

There are over a dozen legal mobile apps to bet on sports in Virginia. 

Can you bet on sports in Virginia without an app?

Yes, you can bet on sports in Virginia without an app at retail locations, mostly located inside of casinos.