List of All Virginia Sportsbooks January 2025
Virginia sports betting is legal and live. The state launched in January 2021, and there are now 13 live VA sportsbooks for bettors to choose from, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, Fanatics Sportsbook, and bet365.
Read below to learn about VA sports betting sites, including the latest promotions and sign-up bonuses for new users in the state.
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Best Virginia sportsbooks in 2025
- Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
- *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Use Bonus Code: PLAYLSR
- Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed*
- OR First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000
- 30% Extra on Same Game Parlay Profit
- T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER 21+
- Use Bonus Code: LSRVA
- Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
- 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Use Promo Code: LSRDYW
Get $200
- Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed
- Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
- Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+
- To Claim: Click Play Now
- Up to $100 in Bonus Bets if First Your Bet Doesn't Win
- Get Your Bets Boosted
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call/Text 1-800-Gambler. T&Cs apply
- To Claim: Click Play Now
- Bet and Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets
- Earn FanCash & Spend it on Team Swag or More Bets
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- To Claim: Click Play Now
- Bet & Get up to $200 in Bonus Bets
- PLUS up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus
- PLUS $50 Bonus Bet on Deposit
- PLUS King of the End Zone Promo
- Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
What’s happening in Virginia sports betting right now
Comparing the top Virginia sportsbooks
Depending on your preferences, some online sports betting sites might be better for you than others. Here are some tips to help you decide:
1. BetMGM Virginia
This is the online sports betting wing of MGM Resorts, one of the world’s largest gambling companies. BetMGM Sportsbook has more sports to bet on than you’ll find almost anywhere else. It also offers the “edit my bet” function, which allows bettors to substitute teams, increase bets, or add legs to existing wagers. However, the app isn’t as intuitive or smooth as some top competitors.
- App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
- Key takeaway: You can find almost any type of wager on BetMGM.
- Best feature: Edit my bet
- VA bonus offer: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the code PLAYLSR.
2. Bet365 Virginia
One of the newest sports betting apps to launch in Virginia, this well-known UK-based brand boasts a unique experience of live betting features and a display you can personalize. It also routinely offers bet boosts and super boosts. Known for a solid menu of betting markets and competitive odds. Bet365 reviews are generally positive. The app gets favorable ratings from customer reviews on the App Store, but less favorable on Google Play.
- App Store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 2.1 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Competitive odds and an easy-to-use app.
- Best feature: Sports coverage
- VA bonus offer: Bet $5, get $150 guaranteed OR a first bet safety net up to $1,000. Use the bet365 bonus code LSRVA.
3. Caesars Virginia
Caesars Sportsbook likely won’t blow bettors away with its sportsbook features, but it offers plenty of bet types and a good sports menu. It is also generous with its bonuses and promotions, including its rewards program, Caesars Rewards. The Caesars Rewards program is one of the top loyalty programs you will find, with hotel, casino, and in-app perks on offer for some bettors. However, the app is rather basic compared to other big-name sportsbook apps.
- App Store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.2 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Caesars is an average app with an above-average slate of promotions.
- Best feature: Caesars Rewards
- VA bonus offer: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers with the code LSRDYW.
4. FanDuel Virginia
FanDuel Sportsbook was the first sports betting app to launch in Virginia and is the only sportsbook to partner with the lone pro sports team with headquarters in Virginia: the NFL’s Washington Commanders. FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia is not only one of the best NFL betting sites, it is noted for offering same-game parlays far more prominently than most big sportsbooks and being one of the easiest apps to use. A 2021 independent study by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming noted that FanDuel consistently earns high marks for user experience and betting interface. However, because the app is so smooth in most places, areas where things are clunky — like player props — stand out.
- App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: No sportsbook app is easier to use than FanDuel.
- Best feature: Same-game parlays
- VA bonus offer: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets guaranteed. No code necessary.
5. Hard Rock Bet Virginia
Hard Rock Bet launched in Virginia in May 2022 and is now one of the top options for bettors in the state. The sleek layout of the app immediately attracts the eye, and it is full of features Virginia bettors can enjoy. Flex parlays are a particularly interesting feature as they allow users to win some money even if all the legs in their parlay don’t hit. Bettors can also participate in a Hard Rock loyalty program that will match the status of any other rewards program the bettor has at a different book.
- App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Stylish app with lots of features.
- Best feature: Flex parlays
- VA bonus offer: Up to $100 back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win. No code necessary.
6. Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia
Fanatics Sportsbook launched in Virginia in November 2023 in partnership with the Colonial Downs racetrack. The new sportsbook also has a retail location at FedEx Field, close to the Virginia border in Maryland.
The Fanatics Sportsbook app is still a work in progress and has several bugs to work through to improve functionality and the overall betting experience. Some users have complained about the speed of the app and bet limit issues.
Despite the app’s problems in its early days, there are plenty of exciting features for new users. FanCash, the Fanatics Sportsbook loyalty program, allows users to accumulate extra funds they can redeem later for bonus bets in the app or merchandise from the Fanatics retail store. Same-game parlays are a popular option, as is the “Discover” page that curates popular bets and rewards for users.
- App Store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.5 (Android)
- Key takeaway: New app with some innovative features
- Best feature: FanCash
- VA bonus offer: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. No code necessary.
7. DraftKings Virginia
DraftKings Sportsbook has staked out its position through an innovative app with several groundbreaking features. It was the first sportsbook in the US to offer early cash-outs, and it also offers a betting carousel that presents wagers likely to appeal to bettors based on their betting history. Betting pools, which allow bettors to compete against friends, are another top feature. DraftKings could stand to offer more promos to existing players, however.
- App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
- Key takeaway: DraftKings has some of the best features and options for almost any type of sports bettor.
- Best feature: Betting carousel
- VA bonus offer: Get up to $1,250 in bonuses plus the King of the End Zone promo. No code necessary.
How to get started with the best VA sportsbook bonuses
Getting started at an online sportsbook in Virginia is easy. First, head to the sportsbook’s homepage or app, and create an account. Once you’re done with that, you can make a deposit and start betting. Throughout the process, watch for any bonus offers for new customers. Here are some of the best available at Virginia sportsbooks:
- BetMGM bonus code: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your first bet does not win. Use the code PLAYLSR.
- Bet365 bonus code: Bet $5, get up to $150 guaranteed OR a first bet safety net up to $1,000. Use the code LSRVA.
- Caesars promo code: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers. Use the code LSRDYW.
- FanDuel promo code: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets guaranteed. Click to claim promo.
- Hard Rock Bet promo code: Up to $100 back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win. Click to claim promo.
- Fanatics Sportsbook bonus code: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. No code necessary. Click to claim.
- DraftKings Sportsbook promo code: Get up to $1,250 in total bonuses plus the King of the End Zone promo. No code necessary. Click to claim.
As you compare the top sportsbook promos at various Virginia sportsbooks, here is a rundown of some terms to be aware of:
- No-deposit bonus — A no-deposit bonus is usually available only for new users as compensation for signing up for an account. The book provides you with a small amount of bonus funds to try it out.
- First bet offers — First bet offers will require an initial bet or deposit that meets the conditions that the sportsbook has set. If you lose, the app will give you back site credits equal to a portion of your initial bet, and you can use the credits to place more bets. You cannot withdraw the bonus amount you receive until you meet a playthrough requirement. If your first bet wins, however, you generally just collect your winnings as normal, with no additional bonus.
- Loyalty program — You are often automatically signed up for loyalty programs once you join a new sportsbook. These programs will award you points for every wager you place. Customers can then use the points for perks such as bonus bets, company merchandise, or even hotel stays.
- Odds boost — The sportsbook boosts the odds on certain bets to encourage wagering on those options. The boost is often worth an extra percentage if you win the bet.
List of Virginia sportsbooks
There are slots for as many as 18 online sportsbooks in Virginia. There are 13 legal apps currently live in the state. Here is the complete list of legal sports betting sites in Virginia:
- Bally Bet Sportsbook
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- Betr Sportsbook
- Betfred Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Bet
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- Sports Illustrated Sportsbook
Land-based sportsbooks in Virginia
The same law that allowed sports betting included provisions for as many as five land-based casinos in Virginia. The law specified that all five could house retail sportsbooks if they chose. However, the law also required that the designated cities for each casino pass a referendum on the issue before construction could commence.
Four of the cities approved their referenda in November 2020. Here are the four casinos:
- Bristol: Virginia’s first casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, opened a temporary location on July 8, 2022. The permanent Hard Rock Bristol is slated to open in 2024.
- Danville: Caesars Casino in Danville opened a temporary location May 15, 2023. The permanent casino should open in 2024.
- Norfolk: Headwaters Casino is scheduled to debut a temporary location sometime soon. A sportsbook partner has not yet been announced.
- Portsmouth: The Rivers Casino, partnered with Rush Street (BetRivers), opened Jan. 23, 2023.
Three of the four proposed casinos have launched sportsbook apps in the state via their casino sports betting license: Caesars, Hard Rock, and Rush Street (BetRivers.) Voters in Richmond twice rejected placing a fifth Virginia casino inside city limits. For now, only four casino locations and four retail sportsbooks are confirmed.
Virginia Sportsbook Promos Today
10 quick facts about Virginia sports betting
- Sports betting launched in Virginia in January 2021.
- Virginia is among only a few states to launch as an online-only market.
- There are four retail casinos in the state.
- Virginia law allows for 18 sportsbook licenses.
- The law includes a provision for a relocating sports team to acquire a license.
- Wagering on games involving in-state college teams is illegal.
- State law also prohibits college prop bets.
- You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Virginia.
- The first retail sportsbook to open in Virginia was at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol.
- Of the five cities Virginia designated as potential casino locations, only Richmond declined to allow a venue inside city limits.
Why legal sportsbooks are best for Virginians
If you are a sports bettor, legal online sportsbooks are the best option if you are in Virginia. The Virginia Lottery oversees each book that’s legal in the state. This means that legal books must meet some safety and security requirements, and you always have recourse if you encounter any issues.
Online sportsbooks are also great for bonuses and first-bet offers. Because the competition is a click away, legal books offer incentives to attract customers and keep them happy.
Virginia sports betting law and regulations
Virginia sports betting took two legislative sessions to cross the finish line. The process began in 2019 but did not end with an active law until April 2020. The first bets occurred in January 2021. Clarifying legislation that passed a few months later separated casino licenses from online licenses and made it clear that as many as 18 licenses could be available, while also giving the Virginia Lottery the power to permit new betting markets as warranted. The division of sports betting licenses is as follows:
- Twelve online-only licenses.
- Five licenses for retail casinos, but only four casinos are open.
- One license for a professional sports team with headquarters in Virginia.
- Additional license(s) reserved for if a professional sports team relocates to Virginia.
Wagering on both professional and college sports is legal in the state. However, it is not legal to place a bet involving in-state college teams. If a tournament (such as March Madness) has Virginia college teams participating, you can bet on games from that tournament that don’t involve in-state college teams. State law also prohibits college prop bets. You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Virginia.
Here are some other key aspects of Virginia sports betting law:
- Sportsbooks must pay $250,000 for a three-year license.
- Sportsbooks are subject to a 15% tax on revenues.
- Books may deduct promotional expenses, reducing the effective tax rate to around 2.2%.
- Minority applicants receive preference.
Virginia sports to bet on
Fandom is largely geographic, and the presence of Washington, DC, just north of Virginia, is where many sports allegiances lie. Depending on where you live in the state, other options include teams in North Carolina, Maryland, or Tennessee. Here are the top teams for Virginia sports bettors:
- NFL: Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens
- NBA: Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies
- MLB: Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles
- NHL: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators
These four leagues are the top draws for Virginia bettors. However, sportsbooks in the state also offer many other options. For instance, there are plenty of fans of the DC United (MLS) in the state.
Virginia sports betting timeline
Like its neighbor to the west, Virginia was not home to any casinos, cardrooms, or any other gambling venues. Even its lone thoroughbred horse racing track had closed five years earlier. The fact that the issue was under consideration in the Virginia General Assembly was surprising enough. That the eventual law also included provisions for land-based casinos cemented Virginia’s status as the state experiencing the biggest paradigm shift in its approach to gambling. Incidentally, the horse track reopened in 2019.
Here’s a quick timeline of events that led to Virginia’s emergence as a gambling and sports betting destination:
2024: Legislators introduced a new sports betting bill, SB 142, to allow betting on in-state college teams. The bill has passed through the gaming subcommittee of the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee.
Unibet officially exited the state on April 11.
In April, Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed revising the controversial skill games legislation. The proposed amendments would raise taxes on the machines and allow localities to ban them.
A new Virginia law removed Richmond from a list of cities eligible to open a new casino. Voters in Richmond have twice voted down a proposal to build a casino in the city.
2023: After Richmond voters elected not to allow a casino within the city limits in 2021, the issue was put back on the ballot for November 2023.
2022: After a year, Virginia sportsbooks are booking more than $400 million in wagers every month. Meanwhile, lawmakers vote down two versions of bills that would allow wagers involving in-state colleges. Hard Rock Sportsbook debuts at the end of March as the 12th online book to launch in the state.
2021: Sports betting launches in Virginia on Jan. 21. The state joins Tennessee as an online-only sports betting state. The market quickly expands to nine online sportsbooks, including top companies like FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings. Two mirror-image bills pass through the Virginia House and Senate to clarify some of the elements of the sports betting law, including that the casinos’ licenses do not count against the 12-sportsbook limit that the law originally established. The citizens of Richmond vote to not allow a casino inside the city, so the number of retail casinos (and sportsbooks) that will appear in Virginia is now capped at four locations.
2020: The study bill indicates a tremendous economic opportunity for Virginia if it allows for sports betting, and many lawmakers now find themselves supporting gambling expansion. A House bill and Senate bill quickly pass through their respective chambers but reach an impasse on their points of difference. After some committee negotiations, a bill passes to Gov. Ralph Northam. Northam adds a few pieces to the bill, including a concession for NASCAR, then sends it back to the Assembly, where lawmakers accept the governor’s changes and allow the bill to become law. In November, voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth approve the placement of casinos inside city limits, paving the way for retail sportsbooks to appear in Virginia in the near future.
2019: Although it takes them time, Virginia lawmakers begin discussing sports betting in the 2019 legislative session. The proposals include some provisions for casino elements, too. However, the support is not sufficient for passage, so legislators end up commissioning a bill to study the economics of sports betting in Virginia.
Virginia sports betting FAQ
Yes. Sports betting in Virginia became legal in April 2020 and active in January 2021. This met the timeline state regulators had to launch legal sports betting, which was early in 2021. The state features 13 online sports betting sites, with a plan for retail sportsbooks in the future.
Anywhere inside state lines when using a sportsbook app, including the two airports that serve Washington, DC. Virginia will not have retail sportsbooks until mid-2022 at the earliest, but the Bristol location has indicated that it plans to include a sportsbook at its temporary facility.
The Virginia Lottery is responsible for overseeing sports betting. Placing sports betting under lottery oversight is common throughout the US landscape. The lottery took the lead in creating rules and regulations governing the legal sports betting industry in Virginia. It is responsible for reviewing applications from sportsbook operators, as well.
Yes. Mobile sports betting in Virginia is live. There are also a couple of locations in the state where you can bet in person.
You do not need to be a resident of Virginia to sign up for an online sports betting account. To place a wager, your smartphone will use geolocation technology to verify that you are located inside Virginia when placing your bet.
No. Bovada, BetOnline and other offshore sportsbooks remain illegitimate options for Virginia bettors. These sites and their ilk are usually based in smaller countries, like Aruba or Costa Rica. Because they are outside the United States, they do not fall under US or state laws and are not bound to conform to the standards by which legal sportsbooks in Virginia must abide. Playing on these outlets opens you up to risks of identity theft and financial mismanagement, and with a dozen legal sportsbooks active in the state, there’s little reason to take those risks.
You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Virginia legally.
Yes. There is a live thoroughbred racing track at Colonial Downs and a harness racing track at Shenandoah Downs. Both venues offer pari-mutuel wagering on their races. Virginians can also use various online horse betting sites. Sites like FanDuel Racing have all the same features that a live horse betting location would offer.
Colonial Downs and its half-dozen affiliated off-track betting locations are hubs for historical horse racing machines. These machines resemble slots, but they use the outcomes of past (unknown to the player) horse races to generate results. HHR machines have reinvigorated both the locations where the machines are and interest in Virginia horse betting. Colonial Downs likely reopened, in part, due to the increased revenue these machines provide.
Yes, daily fantasy sports contests are legal and available for play in Virginia. In fact, Virginia was the first state to legalize DFS play. Top DFS providers such as DraftKings and FanDuel have operated in Virginia since 2016.
Virginia sports betting resources
- Virginia Assembly
- Virginia sports betting law