Virginia Sports Betting: Best Legal Sportsbooks

Is sports betting legal in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia's General Assembly legalised sports betting in 2020, and the first online sportsbooks went live on 21 January 2021. The state built a mobile-first market, and retail sportsbooks were later added at the new casinos that opened in Bristol, Portsmouth and Danville.

The Virginia Lottery is the regulator, licensing operators and enforcing betting rules. You must be 21 or older and physically located in Virginia to place a bet.

Retail sportsbooks at Virginia's casinos

Virginia's 2020 casino law allowed casinos in a small number of cities, and those that have opened in Bristol, Portsmouth and Danville include retail sportsbooks. These venues let you bet at a counter or a kiosk, watch games on large screens and collect winnings in person. The same Virginia Lottery rules apply, including the minimum age of 21 and the ban on in-state college teams. For bettors in southwest Virginia or Hampton Roads, a casino sportsbook can be a sociable alternative to betting from a phone on big game days.

Virginia sports betting sites we review

All three US sportsbooks in our rankings, BetMGM, bet365 and BetRivers, are licensed in Virginia. With several licensed apps competing, Virginia bettors can shop for the best line on any game, and it is worth doing, particularly on popular NFL markets where prices move quickly.

Northern Virginia sits next to Washington, DC and Maryland, both of which regulate betting separately. Your Virginia account will only accept wagers while your phone is located in Virginia, so commuters into the District should place bets before leaving or wait until they return.

• Regulator: Virginia Lottery
• Online launch: 21 January 2021
• Minimum age: 21
• Licensed brands we rank: BetMGM, bet365, BetRivers
• No betting on Virginia college teams

In-state college restrictions

Virginia law bans wagering on games involving Virginia college teams, so Virginia Tech, UVA, VCU and other in-state schools are off the board. Proposition bets on college sports are also not allowed. You can still bet on out-of-state college games at the game level.

Gambling winnings count as taxable income in Virginia, and sportsbooks will provide federal tax forms for qualifying wins.

Betting responsibly in Virginia

Without a major professional team inside its borders, Virginia's fans split their loyalties between Washington and other nearby franchises, while college football and basketball draw huge local interest. The Virginia Lottery runs a voluntary exclusion programme, and the state's problem gambling helpline at 1-888-532-3500 offers free, confidential support.