Guide to Virginia Sports Betting: The Top VA Online Bookies

The “Birthplace of a Nation” has a rich history in terms of politics, presidents, and sports. So where does The Old Dominion stand on bookmaking? Luckily, Virginia sports betting was legalized in early 2021, so we took a look at how its best bookies stack up.

Scott Jackson
Site Manager
Last Updated 18.09.2024
750+ Hours of Research
4 Bookmakers Reviewed
20+ Sports to Bet On
  • This Site Contains:
  • A Complete Overview of VA Betting Sites
  • An In-Depth Guide to Virginia Sports Gambling Bonuses
  • A Comprehensive Look at Betting Odds in VA
On This Page

We only list licensed and legal Virginia sportsbooks on our page, so you know they’ve been vetted for safety and security. Before we start explaining our method, here are the top four bookies in Virginia:

Top 4 Virginia Betting Sites

Best betting sites: Assessment: Payout: Best For: Live Streamig: Welcome Bonus: More Info
4.8/5 95.25% Top For NFL Yes Up to $1,500 In Bonus Bets Visit Site!
4.7/5 95.85% Great Bonus No Up to $1,000 In Bonus Bet Visit Site!
4.6/5 95.83% Best Prop Odds No Bet $5 & Get $200 In Bonus Bets Visit Site!
4.5/5 94.87% No Up to $100 Back Visit Site!

One thing experienced bettors know is that each bookmaker has its strengths compared to the competition. That’s why we listed the best sites for Virginia online sports betting by category. Here are the areas in which VA sportsbooks excel:

The Best Virginia Bookmakers by Category

. . . . . . .
🏆 Best Betting Site 2024: BetMGM
▶️ Top for Live Betting: Caesars
📈 Best NFL Odds: HardRock Bet
⚾ Top MLB Bonuses: BetMGM
🏀 Best NBA Bookmaker: DraftKings
🏒Popular NHL Bookie: BetMGM
🔎 Loads of Markets: DraftKings
🏈 Best Super Bowl Promos: Caesars
️⛹ Most Player Props: DraftKings
✨ Best for NCAAF: Caesars
Image of several athletes – basketball, football, golf and baseball players.

As you can see, no single operator is the best in terms of Virginia sports gambling. Your priority should be finding the right fit for your betting style. It wouldn’t make sense to register for a site that concentrates on the NFL if you handicap NBA games, for example.

Rating Virginia Sportsbooks

To get our final ratings, we assign scores to various categories correlated to bookmaker quality. We then sum these scores and publish our findings. It should be noted that our results are in overall terms, so if you’re looking for specifics you can use the navigation menu.

The Benchmarks for Rating VA Bookmakers

There are 10 benchmarks across which we compare sites that we developed using our years of global industry experience. We believe that a simple, repeatable process leads to consistent results – which is the same as our philosophy on betting.

If you’re looking for something specific and don’t want to read through the entire article, you can use the navigation menu above to go straight to your selected topic on Virginia sports betting.

However, if you’ve never registered with an online bookmaker before, we strongly recommend reading through the whole guide. That way you know what to look for the next time you’re searching for a new site to gamble with.

VA Bookmakers at a Glance

Before we start diving into specifics, it’s nice to have an overview of what the Virginia sports gambling landscape looks like. With a variety of options, it’s important to know what’s available and where you can find it. Here’s a quick look at the Virginia legal sports betting sites:

Bookmaker Sports Football Conferences Football Markets Novelty Bets
BetMGM 16 10 184+ Player Props
Caesars sport 18 13 343+ Same Game Parlays
DraftKings sport 18 13 325+ Player Props
HardRock Bet 15 12 20+ Various props
Our Highest Rated Offer
4/5

Up to $1500 In Bonus Bets

  • Great NFL Markets
  • Friendly Bonus Terms
  • Good NBA Odds

Every bookie has markets for popular sports like football, basketball, and baseball. The top Virginia online betting sites, though, have a carefully curated selection of markets on which you can bet. Here are some other things only first-rate sportsbooks have:

Live Betting

One of the features you should expect at a minimum from a bookmaker is a live betting platform. This format is a relatively new one in terms of Virginia sports betting and gambling in general. The premise is simple – you can bet on the game even after it starts.

One thing many bettors like to do is bet on the result of the next play. Will the next batter get a hit or strikeout? Will the next play be a pass or run? A deep ball or a quick hit? If you’re good at predicting these things, then live betting is for you.

Finding the Best Virginia Sportsbook Odds

Part of the thrill of sports betting is making money when your predictions turn out to be correct. That’s why it’s important to find the highest odds when you’re betting at Virginia sportsbooks.

It’s so important, in fact, that it’s worth having an account with two or three bookies just so you can ensure you always have the best price available. Here are the odds at Virginia online betting sites by sport:

The Odds at the Best Virginia Sportsbooks
Betting Site NFL NCAA Football MLB NBA NHL
BetMGM 96.35% 95.85% 95.05% 95.75% 95.90%
Caesars 95.95% 97.75% 97.25% 95.45% 94.75%
DraftKings-sport 96.95% 96.75% 96.25% 96.45% 92.75%
HardRock Bet 94.12% 94.65% 95.86% 95.75% 96.52%

Notice how the payouts across most sports are fairly similar. This is because we calculated this table on an average basis. For any given game, though, the odds can vary dramatically between sportsbooks – which is how we might find an edge.

One of the things any aspiring handicapper should know is that bookmakers aren’t necessarily interested in our bets losing. What they want is their liabilities balanced across all the possible outcomes, so that they make money regardless of which team wins.

Therefore, it’s helpful for Virginia online sports betting fans to know which bookmakers have the highest average payouts, but it’s not crucial. It’s more useful for showing which bookmakers charge lower margins. Here are the Virginia sportsbooks with the highest average odds:

Virginia Sports Betting Apps

Another feature any quality Virginia sports gambling brand should have is a mobile app. There’s nothing more frustrating than being out and about when you hear that the first-string running back isn’t starting, and you can’t get home before the line’s bet down to a fair spread.

A mobile app takes care of this issue because you can bet anywhere within Old Dominion’s state lines, straight from your smartphone or tablet. High-quality smartphone and instant browser applications can provide you with the same betting experience as a desktop site.

The Top Virginia Online Sports Betting Bonuses

The primary way Virginia legal betting sites generate attention is by offering welcome bonuses. These promotions are for new players, they’re only valid on first deposits, and they usually come in the form of a matched deposit or a bonus bet.

Virginia Sports Betting Sites Bonus Offer
BetMGM Up to $1,500 In Bonus Bets
Caesars Up to $1,000 In Bonus Bets
DraftKings Bet $5 & Get $200 In Bonus Bets
HardRock Bet Up to $100 Back

However, they don’t come without strings attached, so you should always check the terms and conditions before you start chasing bonus funds. But bonuses are still the best method to give your bankroll an initial boost.

Here are some common terms and conditions for Virginia online betting bonuses:

  • Playthrough Requirements
  • Time Limits
  • Minimum Deposits
  • Expiration Dates
  • Minimum Odds
  • Minimum and Maximum Limits
  • Valid Markets

As we mentioned above, there are various types of bonuses. The most common one in terms of sports betting are the first bet offers paid back as bonus bets. Those bets are wagers where the operator reimburses your losing bet up to a certain amount.

A deposit bonus is a promotion where bookmakers match your first deposit, or a percentage of it, up to a specific threshold. This is more common with other forms of gambling (that aren’t yet legal in Virginia) but isn’t unheard of in terms of sportsbooks.

Though the amounts advertised can be mouth-watering, you need to decide if it’s worth chasing the whole amount. The terms and conditions vary from operator to operator, and the best Virginia online sports betting sites have generous bonus requirements that make them easier to claim.

Here are the criteria for grading Virginia sports betting bonuses:

Great Deals
  • Low playthrough requirements
  • Long validity periods
  • Available for a variety of markets
Bad Deals
  • Expires after 7 days
  • Strict wagering requirements
  • Highly restricted odds

Of these requirements, the playthrough requirement is the hardest one to fulfill. A playthrough condition is typically expressed as a multiple of the amount you deposited.

If you have a 3x playthrough requirement, and you deposit $1,000, you’ll need to wager $3,000 before you receive your bonus funds or bet credits. Ideally, the lower the playthrough threshold, the more money you should consider depositing.

Leading Payment Options for Virginia Bookmakers

So how do we make a deposit? Luckily, there are several ways to get started with Virginia online sports betting. The top bookmakers in the state offer many common payment methods. Having a variety of options proves a site is interested in making transactions quick and simple for its customers.

Choosing the right payment processor ultimately comes down to personal preference. We recommend using one you already have and are familiar with instead of going out of your way and learning another system.

Here are the most common payment methods accepted by Virginia sportsbooks:

Betting Sites Visa MasterCard PayPal PayNearMe Discover Bank Transfer Secure Link
BetMGM Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Visit Site!
Caesars Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Visit Site!
DraftKings Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Visit Site!
HardRock Bet Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Visit Site!

Of the options listed, there are benefits and drawbacks to each. Debit cards facilitate instant deposits and quick withdrawals, while eWallets provide you with an extra bit of security by masking your card details.

Bank transfers are great for high-rollers who need an option capable of moving large amounts of money. Though the processing time is much longer than the other choices, it usually has the largest limits by a significant margin.

Here is a breakdown of the different types of payment methods:

  • Debit Cards
  • Credit Cards
  • eWallets
  • Bank Transfers
  • Prepaid Cards

The new decade has also seen the rise of up-and-coming methods like Apple Pay and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. However, no Virginia legal sports betting sites accept these channels at this time, though we imagine it’s only a matter of time before they do.

Staying Safe at Virginia Online Sports Betting Sites

Given the reputation sites gained before the widespread legalization of sports betting, safety is a big question mark for a lot of new players. Thankfully, regulation makes gambling much safer, and playing with Virginia legal sportsbooks is completely secure.

Since Virginia sports betting law is enforced by the state, there are strict rules betting sites must follow to keep their licenses. Operators must adhere to know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, sponsor responsible gambling initiatives and implement encryption measures.

Here’s how Virginia sportsbooks keep you safe:

Bookmaker License Number Know Your Customer Requirements IT Security Responsible Gaming
BetMGM N/A ID Verification DigiCert – 256-bit SSL NCPG
Caesars N/A ID Verification Hydrant ID – 256-bit SSL NCPG
DraftKings N/A ID Verification Go Daddy – 256-bit NCPG
HardRock Bet N/A ID Verification Let’s Encrypt 256-bit NCPG

IT security is an aspect of betting sites often overlooked by most gamblers. Virginia sports gambling sites enlist the help of companies like Cloudflare, Amazon, and DigiCert. These firms are experts in web security and transaction encryption.

Most betting sites use 256-bit SSL encryption to protect your data. This is above the standard 128-bit encryption level found on many eCommerce websites, so the chances of your data leaking onto the web are astronomically slim.

The Leading Security Companies
  • VeriSign
  • CyberSitter
  • IBIA
  • Symantec

Problem gambling is a big issue and the Virginia Lottery takes it very seriously as the state’s regulatory authority. Virginia legal sports betting sites are obligated to get you in touch with a responsible gambling organization if you request it.

We recommend Virginians reach out to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for help. If you or someone you know might be developing a gambling problem, contact the organization for help in recognizing the signs and symptoms.

Customer Service & Support

Though we hope you won’t need to do it often, there is likely to be a time when you’ll need the customer service team. Bookmaker representatives are there to help you with common Virginia sports betting issues like ID verification, account validation, and technical support.

Here are common ways to get in touch with Virginia betting sites:

Contact Method Prevalence Average Wait Time Suitable For
☎️ Phone High 5-30 Minutes Simple & quick problems
📧 Email/Form High Up to 24 Hours Complex problems & screenshots
👩‍⚕️ Live chat High 2-3 Minutes Everything excluding screenshots
💬 Messenger Low 5-30 Minutes Simple & quick problems
🌐 Social network Low 24-48 Hours Feedback, advice, & suggestions

The preferred option nowadays is live chat. We recommend this option because you get the support you need quickly and without much hassle. However, most Virginia sportsbooks only make this available if you have an account.

Here’s the quality of service you should expect from Virginia online betting sites:

Service at a Good Bookmaker
  • Multi-lingual representatives
  • Round the clock access
  • Various contact methods
Service at a Bad Bookmaker
  • Long wait times
  • Unskilled representatives
  • Limited hours

To get full marks from us during our review process, we want to see a well-rounded offering with 24/7 service. Most Virginia online sports betting sites meet these criteria, but some have limited operating hours which we have to deduct points for.

Bonus Points Earned

As all sports gamblers know, the smallest details can make the biggest difference. That’s why we assign bonus points to operators for features that may not fit into other categories. We consider awards, platform features, and any other extras we find.

In general, we assign points for features you won’t find at every bookmaker, like same-game parlays or live streaming suites. We feel these types of offerings deserve extra points because they transform Virginia online betting sites from run-of-the-mill into total packages.

Extra Betting Site
🏆 Unique User Interface BetMGM
📰 Social Media Presence DraftKings
💡 Same Game Parlays HardRock Bet
📺 Live Streaming BetMGM
📈 Odds Boosts Caesars

Social media pages are one of the more useful and recent developments in Virginia sports betting. Bookmakers can connect with millions of users, letting them know about useful information, sports news, and some even let you request custom wagers

Reviewing Virginia Online Sports Betting Sites

To provide you with a complete picture of the various betting sites listed here, we used the method outlined above which identifies categories important for rating sites and allows us to conduct an in-depth examination of each of them.

We spent hours on the betting sites listed on this page, analyzing the odds, customer service departments, payment methods, and their conditions to judge the functionality of the platforms. The following sections take an even closer look to help you better understand our process.

How Average Payouts are Calculated

formula for calculating the implied probability of a team winning a game

As we already mentioned, odds are critical in the evaluation of digital Virginia sports betting establishments. We explained how they can change based on the sport, league, and caliber of the match. You can review our payout table to see the differences between sportsbooks and markets.

A small difference in odds can dramatically change a player’s earnings in the long run. This is why you should ensure you’re getting the best line on your chosen markets. With this in mind, it’s essential to understand how bookies secure their margins.

In this section, we explain specifically how the best Virginia legal betting sites structure their odds. The first step is to understand how the calculation of probabilities is applied to the betting world. These probabilities are expressed on what you see as the odds board.

Luckily, you can use a simple formula to find the exact margin the bookmaker takes on each market, and the implied probabilities it’s giving for each outcome. It can be used on any type of sport; football, basketball, or cricket, the same formula is used for all of them.

The second step is implementing the formula, which is very straightforward. To use it, though, you must first change the odds to a percentage, which you can do by using the decimal or fractional odds settings on your chosen sportsbook. When you’ve done that, add up the percentages.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the percentages exceed 100%. The formula for finding the margin is (100 / sum of percentages) * 100. Using baseball as an example, a 50-50 game would be expressed as -105 for the home team, and -105 for the away team. formula for calculating the payout rate of the bettor Converting the odds to percentages results in a 51.2% chance of winning for each team. So the formula becomes (100 / 102.4) * 100 = 97.66% payout rate. That means if you win 50% of your bets, you’ll receive 97.66% of the money you wager in return.

The margin, also known as the vigorish, “vig”, or “juice”, is therefore 100% – 97.66% = 2.34%. That is the percentage of all funds wagered on the two outcomes the bookmaker takes home for itself.

To ensure the vigorish can do its job, betting sites change their lines over time to balance their liability on each outcome. This mechanism allows us to find edges when market sentiment is not in line with the true probability of an outcome occurring.

The Impact of Various Payouts and Commissions

If you’re wondering why we’re concerned about such small percentages, it’s because they have a huge impact. The table below shows how the payout changes versus the odds offered. Each level shown is a two percentage point difference in the payout.

In this example, the bookie has given both teams a 50% chance of winning, as with the exercise we just did above to calculate margins. Now imagine each Virginia sports betting institution is at a different level. It’s a no-brainer which one you’d choose, right?

Payout Home Away
97% -105 -105
95% -110 -110
93% -115 -115
91% -120 -120
89% -125 -125
Payout Home Away
97% $9.52 $9.52
95% $9.09 $9.09
93% $8.70 $8.70
91% $8.33 $8.33
89% $8.00 $8.00

Looking at the return-on-stake for every $10 invested, you can see how bookmakers with high payouts help your bottom line immensely. If you’re new to serious sports betting, you might be surprised at these numbers, but the majority of casual gamblers don’t give this much thought.

However, once you have made this $10 bet 100 times, totaling $1,000 in wagers, this small difference becomes massive. If you bet $10 with a bookie with an 89% payout versus one with a 97% payout, you’re losing $152 over 100 bets, or 15 more bets worth of cash.

The Types of Customer Service

Telephone, e-mail, and live chat are by far the three most common ways for Virginia sports betting fans to get in touch with bookies’ customer service departments. Many of the best sites choose to offer above and beyond this, though.

You can see our breakdown on the types of customer service at Virginia sportsbooks for a guide on which methods are useful in specific situations. However, we emphasized when we could get in touch, rather than how.

A 24/7 support department should be the minimum you look for in a quality sportsbook. After all, if it’s going to accept your wagers 24 hours a day, it should help you as well. Therefore, we docked points for operators with limited hours, long wait times, and poor service.

How We Rate Available Payment Options

Since you gamble with your hard-earned money, it becomes a delicate subject. Transferring money can be a hassle, so ease and security are extremely important factors in our evaluations. It also goes without saying that paying commissions and minimum transaction limits can be discouraging.

Luckily, we found all the data on deposits and withdrawals in terms of Virginia sports betting payment options. We can therefore offer you a complete and detailed overview of every aspect related to the systems accepted by the online bookies listed here.

Judging the Overall Platform

A crucial detail in terms of evaluating Virginia sportsbooks is the interface. How they each present odds and offer relevant events can drastically alter your experience. Therefore, online platforms must make betting fast and easy.

The Layouts of Top Virginia Bookmakers
The betMGM user interface.The betMGM user interface.
The betMGM live interface.The betMGM live interface.
The betMGM mobile interface.The betMGM mobile interface.
The Caesars mobile interface.The Caesars mobile interface.

Some of the lesser-known and lower quality portals can make betting a long and arduous process. On the other hand, the best Virginia online betting sites provide you with relevant statistics, market information, and updates on each game. Plus, they make betting a breeze.

Other Factors

In our analysis, we wrote about special features at online betting sites that stand out. Therefore, we reserve 10 more points for this category. The first thing we look for is awards. The best sites in the state often have the hardware to back up their claims.

Additionally, we look for active social media presences, betting blogs, and VIP programs. Lastly, we consider whether or not a bookmaker offers livestreams (which can be difficult due to broadcasting rights), and any extra promotions not available elsewhere, like giveaways.

However, the weighting of these factors is not equal. We assign up to three points for live streaming, three points for the quality of social media and blog posts, two points for award wins, and two points for VIP programs and extra promotions.

Online vs. In-Person Betting

Virginia is unique in that sports betting is only available in online formats. However, there are some key differences you need to know about if you’ve ever visited neighboring states where betting in-person is legal.

In the first instance, you must open an account. Therefore, you must share your data with Virginia sportsbooks which in-person bookies do not require. Furthermore, you must verify your identity with personal documentation and accept the websites’ terms of use.

Personal documentation must be supplied before you withdraw money from your account. This is used for tax purposes and is part of routine know-your-customer (KYC) protocol implemented at betting sites around the world. A further benefit is preventing underage gambling.

Most Virginia online sports betting providers accept government-issued photographic identification documents, like driver’s licenses, passports, or military identification cards. Skipping this step is a bad idea, and will result in you being unable to either create an account or withdraw funds.
Another big difference between in-person and online betting is how you place bets. Online odds boards update constantly throughout the day, and you can place multiple wagers quickly with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Placing bets with brick-and-mortar bookmakers, on the other hand, requires more time. Cashiers need to count the bills, verify the bet, and double-check odds for changes. Lastly, in the event you win, your online account is credited instantly, while in-person cash outs require a visit to the cashier’s cage
people betting at a land-based bookmaker, a computer with a betting site and alist of pros and cons

The costs incurred by physical locations are higher, which is reflected in the odds offered by in-person betting locations, which generally have higher margins. Since Virginia sports gambling outfits are exclusively online, they can also provide better bonuses than their brick-and-mortar counterparts elsewhere.

That’s not to say there aren’t any drawbacks to online betting. One of the primary benefits of going to the casino is the ability to watch any game you want on a myriad of television screens, with drink service to boot. This is an experience online bookies cannot provide.

Furthermore, land-based sportsbooks provide a great discussion forum for like-minded gamblers to share their thoughts and update each other on developments for the upcoming night’s slate.

The online setting, therefore, puts the burden on you, as the bettor, to search out chat rooms or message boards dedicated to sports betting. Many people enjoy this aspect of the digital gambling world, but for the more extroverted among us, it may not be ideal.

At the end of the day, the web provides you with the toolbox you need to get all the up-to-the-minute statistics, data, and news you need to make highly educated wagers. Smartphone and tablet-based apps also let you do this from anywhere within state lines.

There are also two more things unique to Virginia online betting sites; namely the cash out function and the potential for betting exchanges. We dedicated the next part of our write-up to explaining the intricacies of these features.

Betting Exchanges & Early Cashouts

Two of the biggest developments in sports betting of the 21st century are the betting exchange and early cashout functions. These two things have completely transformed sports wagering over the past 15-20 years. Here’s how these features work:

Betting Exchanges vs. VA Online Sports Betting Sites

Betting exchanges are somewhat different to online bookmakers in that they’re essentially a middleman. These organizations act as brokers between two gamblers interested in betting opposite sides of a game and charge a commission fee for the service.

Laptop on a bookmaker site, wallet with coins and a list comparing betting and exchanges

While exchanges aren’t currently available in Virginia, they still provide you with useful information unavailable elsewhere. Often, the odds listed by overseas exchanges closely reflect the true market price and are useful for finding edges when their odds differ from the ones Virginia sportsbooks are offering.

This works because exchanges have their odds set by market fundamentals, which essentially puts gamblers in the role of speculative day traders, but for sports. A bettor using an exchange can opt to back – or bet on – an outcome; or lay a bet – or gamble that an outcome does not occur.

The Early Cash-Out

The early cash-out option is a very useful feature that bettors can use to exit their positions early. Since Virginia sports betting is exclusively online, bookmakers implement sophisticated algorithms which calculate an offer at reduced odds, based on a game’s current score, to let you take your winnings early.

Sites with Early Cash Out Eligible Sports Bonus Link
Most Sports Up to $1,500 In Bonus Bets Visit Site!
Most Sports Up to $1,000 In Bonus Bet Visit Site!
Most Sports Bet $5 & Get $200 In Bonus Bets Visit Site!
Most Sports Up to $100 Back Visit Site!

However, tantalizing the offer may be, it should only be used in specific situations where hedging may be useful. An example would be when you’ve bet a heavy moneyline favorite, and it’s locked in a close game with a small lead.

Cashing out early protects your large first investment against the complete loss of stake that would occur if the underdog came back and won. Normally, the reduced odds are worse than your wager’s true value, but the early cash out in this situation makes sense.

The History of Online Sports Gambling in Virginia

Virginia is somewhat of an unexpected entrant into the world of regulated sports betting. For years, gambling other than for charitable reasons was illegal. This changed in 1988 with the establishment of the VA Lottery, and in 1989 the VA Racing Commission was implemented.

The first racetrack opened in 1997 at Colonial Downs. This period also saw the state try to push through several measures legalizing riverboats, but nothing was ever passed. Therefore, most gambling remained illegal until 2021, when Virginia legal betting sites finally opened for business.

History of Sports Betting in Virginia
  • Charitable Gambling Starts Charitable gambling was legalized in 1973 and supplied a way for companies to raise funds through events like casino nights and poker tournaments. For gambling to be charitable, most of the proceeds (over 50%) must go to tax-exempt organizations.
  • VA Lottery Established The Virginia Lottery was set up to generate more revenue for the state. Funds raised by the state through the sale of lottery tickets go towards its education system, which boasts some of the top districts nationwide.
  • VA Racing Commission CreatedThe VA Racing Commission was set up to promote, sustain, grow, and control a native horse racing industry within the state. However, it would take almost eight years before the first racetrack opened.
  • Colonial Downs Opens The Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County has enjoyed horse racing in the Richmond to Williamsburg corridor for almost 25 years. After a brief pause in 2014, racing returned in 2019.
  • PASPA Repealed In 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed. This act federally banned wagering in all states except four. However, the Supreme Court ruled it violated the 10th amendment, opening up room for Virginia legal sports betting.
  • Virginia Sportsbooks Open for Business 2021 was the year that finally saw Virginia online sports betting come to fruition. This was after the state approved four locations for casinos in southern Virginia scheduled to open within a few years.

You can check out the VA Lottery news portal for more information about sports betting in Old Dominion. The website supplies updates on revenues, taxes, and operator applications that the Lottery is reviewing.

Virginia Legal Betting Sites: Licensing Requirements

All Virginia legal betting sites are licensed by the Virginia Lottery. Its responsibilities include regulating, licensing, auditing, and compliance enforcement for gaming operators, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and employees.

This comprehensive approach the state has towards Virginia online sports betting requires continuous updates and transparency, which is achieved through the VA Lottery’s website. On top of general and legal announcements, you can also find revenue and tax reports filed with the state.

One of the Virginia Lottery’s greatest successes is illustrated by its revenue report for the first three quarters of 2021 after the first Virginia sportsbooks took their first wagers in January; from January to September, the state raised over $12M in tax revenue.

That’s why it’s a mutually beneficial proposition when you stick with legal Virginia sports betting sites. The state generates revenue, and in return provides you with safe places to gamble. Furthermore, filing a complaint with the VA Lottery provides you legal recourse that unlicensed operators do not.

Here’s a list of licensed Virginia sports betting operators:

List of the Safest Online Betting Sites with a Valid Virginia License
  • MGM Resorts International (BetMGM) – License No. N/A
  • American Wagering Inc. d/b/a William Hill and Caesars Sportsbook (Caesars Sportsbook ) – License No. N/A
  • DraftKings Inc. (DraftKings) – License No. N/A
  • HR Bristol, LLC (HardRock Bet) – License No. N/A
Sportsbook License

All the names on this list are likely familiar to American gamblers. Reputation is also an important factor, but only if the operator is accepting wagers legally. The strict standards enforced by the VA Lottery mean you can be sure you’re enjoying this hobby safely within the state’s borders.

A List of Black Market Sportsbooks in Virginia

There’s a reason we keep talking about licenses: if you’ve ever tried surfing the net to find the best Virginia sports gambling sites, there are loads of results. However, many of the bookmakers aren’t legal, and most sites claiming to know the best sportsbooks push you to black-market operators

Visiting these sites can be highly dangerous. Firstly, they may not pay out your winners. Secondly, there is a high potential for these sites to be scams. It’s a common story; a new bookie opens, takes thousands of people’s deposits, then closes its doors and takes off with the cash.

That’s why it’s worth checking the Virginia Lottery website for a list of licensed operators in the state. Cross-referencing a site’s ownership group with those listed in revenue reports and licensing databases helps you avoid nefarious sites out to take your hard-earned dough.

  • ⛔️ 1XBet
  • ⛔️ Bovada
  • ⛔️ BetOnline
  • ⛔️ BetDSI
  • ⛔️ SportsBetting.ag
  • ⛔️ CarbonGaming.ag
  • ⛔️ MyBookie
  • ⛔️ BetUS
  • ⛔️ Xbet
  • ⛔️ 22bet
  • ⛔️ 5Dimes

So, which Virginia sportsbooks should you avoid? We compiled a list of all the well-known bookmakers running on a black-market basis in the US. Additionally, we searched for a few different terms and listed the bookmakers claiming to be legal operators in VA, but under a license from another jurisdiction.

Virginia Sports Betting: Low Risk, Big Rewards

After hours of arduous effort in search of the best Virginia sports betting sites, in-depth examinations of criteria pertinent to judging bookmaker quality, and reviewing licenses on a case-by-case basis, we can assure you our list has the absolute best options in Old Dominion.

Whether you enjoy betting on the Football Team, Wizards, or Hokies, there is loads of growth potential within the Virginia sports gambling framework. However, there is one site that currently stands above the rest. Here is our top pick for Virginia online sports betting:

Best site

Up to $1,500 In Bonus Bets

  • Great NHL Odds
  • Live Betting Suite
  • Slick User Interface

All the Virginia legal sports betting sites on this page are licensed, safe, and user-friendly as per our tests in dicembre2024. Each bookmaker has something to offer, which you can see in the closeness of the results our benchmarks provided.

We update our rankings regularly to keep up with the developments of the Virginia sports gambling market. We recommend visiting this site often so you can stay up-to-date on bookmaker services, products, and licensing statuses.

We can reliably say that there is no shortage of quality choices in terms of Virginia online betting sites. This is because of the truly impressive number of sports, markets, and promotions on offer here. All the platforms are well structured, easily navigable, and provide fast payments.

At the end of the day, the best Virginia sportsbooks for you come down to your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a gambling provider. With brick-and-mortar sportsbooks on the horizon, it seems the golden age of Virginia sports betting is finally upon us.

FAQs

While we tried to make this guide as comprehensive as possible, some of our readers had more specific questions, which we answered below. If you have any comments, concerns, or queries, feel free to reach out to us at any time.

👮 Is sports betting legal in Virginia?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Virginia. This is a result of a bill that was signed into law in late 2019. You can see a complete overview of Virginia sports betting licensing requirements to get a better understanding of how it works.

🏆 What are the best Virginia sports betting sites?

The best Virginia sports betting sites are ones licensed by the Virginia Lottery. As the state's regulatory body, the Lottery handles monitoring, licensing, and law enforcement for all gambling establishments in the state. Check out our list of the top Virginia sportsbooks for a full list of options.

🔒 Which Virginia online bookmakers are the safest?

The safest Virginia online sports betting sites are the ones licensed by the Virginia Lottery. These sites go through stringent safety and security checks regularly, both by the Lottery and independent third parties. You can check out our write-up on staying safe at Virginia sportsbooks for the full details.

📈 What are the odds at Virginia sports betting sites?

As a fundamental part of betting, odds at Virginia online betting sites change regularly as bookies try to limit their liabilities. This enables us to find edges when the market gets out-of-whack compared to the true probability of an event occurring.

Toggle Quicknavi Overlay
Toggle Navigation Overlay
Back to Top