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Virginia
While Virginia's sports wagering operators are legally verboten from using the phrase "Virginia is for Bettors," it's certainly proven to be true.
Our Best Virginia Sports Betting Offers
For those outside of Virginia, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Virginia
With the stroke of Governor Ralph Northam's pen in 2020, Virginia embarked on one of the most efficient and successful sports betting journeys in the post-PASPA era, swiftly establishing itself as one of the nation's leading sports betting states.
Known for its vast array of sterling academic institutions and passion for collegiate sports, Virginia is nevertheless among a handful of states where betting on in-state schools is prohibited. Since the first legal wager in Virginia was accepted in 2021, there have been numerous legislative efforts to overturn this ban, but none have proven successful.
In January 2025, the Virginia Lottery reported that the state's sports betting operators accepted a record $760 million in sports wagers in November of 2024, marking the first time a monthly handle figure had exceeded $700 million. And while Virginia's gaming operators are legally verboten from using the phrase "Virginia is for Bettors" in a clever play on the state's tourism slogan, it's certainly not untrue.
Virginia Sportsbooks
Currently Operating Sportsbooks
Current Sportsbooks
12
Caesars Virginia: 1100 W. Main St., Danville, VA 24541
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
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Sports Betting Legalization in Virginia
Virginia Sports Betting Law Highlights
- 15% tax on sports betting revenue, 2.5% of which goes to problem gambling initiatives and the remaining 97.5% to the state's general fund.
- 21+ age requirement for bettors at all online and retail sportsbooks.
- Bettors cannot wager on voter-driven awards (i.e., Cy Young, Heisman Trophy) or negative outcomes (i.e., how many fouls a player will commit).
- Sports betting operators pay an initial $250,000 fee for a three-year license and a $200,000 renewal fee. There's also a $50,000 application fee for each named principal.
- Wagering on collegiate teams from Virginia is prohibited, as are prop bets on all college athletes and sporting events.
- Any licensed sportsbook offering in-game betting must use official league data. This requirement does not extend to pre-game wagering.
Legalization Timeline
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Virginia legislature authorizes sports betting
April 22, 2020
After serious discussion during the 2019 legislative session, Governor Ralph Northam and the state legislature agree to legalize mobile sports betting. In November of 2020, voters in select cities approve the construction of brick-and-mortar casinos, paving the way for the debut of retail sportsbooks.
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FanDuel accepts Virginia's first sports wager
January 21, 2021
The first online sports wager in Virginia is placed on the FanDuel Sportsbook platform, with 10 additional mobile operators taking bets by year's end.
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Virginia is for lovers, not for bettors
April, 2022
The Virginia Legislature bans gaming companies from using the phrase "Virginia is for Bettors" in all advertising or promotional materials.
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Hard Rock opens state’s first retail sportsbook
July, 2022
Hard Rock begins accepting sports wagers at its casino and resort in Bristol, marking the dawn of retail sports betting in Virginia.
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Exchange wagering comes to Virginia
October, 2024
The betting exchange Sporttrade launches in Virginia, bringing stock market-style sports wagering to the Old Dominion
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
It sure is. The Virginia State Legislature legalized sports betting on April 22, 2020 and the first wager was accepted on January 21, 2021.
Who can bet on sports in Virginia?
People who are at least 21 years of age and physically located within the boundaries of Virginia can place mobile and retail wagers with licensed sportsbooks in the state.
Who regulates sports betting in Virginia?
The Virginia Lottery oversees and regulates sports betting, as well as other forms of gaming.
What can I bet on in Virginia?
If you've been anxious to wager on the Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Federation, you're in luck. The Virginia Lottery approves which sports and leagues can be bet on in Virginia, and the current list ranges from mainstream to quirky. Included are basketball, volleyball (indoors and beach), Australian Rules Football, baseball, basketball, bowling, boxing, cornhole, cricket, cycling, darts, football, golf, handball, hurling, ice hockey, jai alai, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, NCAA wrestling, pickleball, rugby, sailing, snooker, soccer, softball, table tennis, tennis, and water polo.
What can't I bet on in Virginia?
Virginia bettors cannot bet on sporting events involving any college located within the state. Prop bets on all collegiate sporting events are also prohibited, as are bets on negative outcomes such as how many games an injured player will miss or when the first foul will be called in a basketball game.
Wagering on the winner of subjective athletic awards, like the Heisman Trophy or the Cy Young Award, which are chosen by a panel of voters is also not legal in Virginia. Furthermore, bettors are banned from betting on the results of amateur drafts in leagues like the NBA, NFL, and NHL.
Is DFS legal in Virginia?
Yes. In fact, Virginia was the first state to explicitly legalize daily fantasy sports, and top DFS operators like DraftKings and FanDuel have been up and running in Virginia for several years.
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Virginia?
It's legal to bet on horse racing in Virginia at racetracks like Colonial and Shenandoah Downs and through advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platforms like TwinSpires, Xpressbet, FanDuel Racing, DK Horse, and Caesars Racebook. Colonial Downs and its associated off-track betting parlors are also home to one of the most lucrative networks of Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines in the U.S. These machines resemble slots, but their results are based on actual past horse races instead of a randomizer.
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Responsible Gambling
21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.