Virginia
Sports Betting
13 licensed online operators, live since Jan 2021. Operator tax 15%. Read on for legal status, current operators, and how to bet here.
Sports betting in Virginia
Virginia launched sports betting in January 2021 with a 15% tax rate. Operators can deduct promotional credits from taxable revenue.
Legal Status
Sports betting is fully legal in Virginia, including both retail and online/mobile wagering. The market is regulated by the Virginia Lottery. The minimum age to bet is 21, and bettors must be physically located within Virginia state lines to place a wager; residency is not required.
Tax and Regulation
Virginia taxes sports betting operators at 15% of adjusted gross revenue. The state has 13 licensed sportsbook operators serving the market. The first sportsbooks launched in Jan 2021.
How to Start Betting in Virginia
To place a legal sports bet in Virginia, you must (1) be at least 21 years old, (2) be physically located within the state (verified by geolocation), and (3) create an account with a licensed operator. Most major sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars are available in most legal states. Check the operator list specific to Virginia for the most current options.
Sportsbooks Available in Virginia
The following 13 sportsbooks are currently licensed and active in Virginia. All operators are regulated by the Virginia Lottery.
FanDuel
Market leader; Commanders partner
Welcome offerGet $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets
National · 26 states→DraftKings
Deep live markets
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost
National · 30 states→bet365
International markets
Welcome offerBet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Win or Lose)
National · 18 states→BetMGM
Caesars Rewards
Welcome offerFirst Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
National · 26 states→BetMGM
MGM National Harbor nearby
Welcome offerFirst Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
National · 26 states→Caesars
Caesars Rewards
Welcome offerBet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token)
National · 26 states→Hard Rock Bet
Unity rewards
Welcome offerDouble Your Winnings on Your First 10 Bets
National · 10 states→Fanatics
FanCash rewards
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in FanCash Instantly (or up to $1,000 matched)
National · 21 states→BetRivers
Rush Street Interactive
Welcome offer2nd Chance Bet Up to $500 in Bonus Bets
National · 16 states→SuperBook
Vegas-style
Welcome offerVaries by state
→theScore Bet
PENN Entertainment
Welcome offerBet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly
National · 19 states→WynnBET
Wynn Resorts
Welcome offerVaries by market
→Unibet
European operator
Operator comparison · Virginia · sorted by editorial rating
| # | Operator | Rating | Welcome Bonus | Virginia note | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FanDuel Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE: FLUT) | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets | Market leader; Commanders partner | Read review → | |
| 2 | DraftKings DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost | Deep live markets | Read review → | |
| 3 | bet365 Hillside (Gaming) ENC (private) | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Win or Lose) | International markets | Read review → | |
| 4 | BetMGM MGM Resorts International & Entain plc (50/50 JV) | First Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | Caesars Rewards | Read review → | |
| 5 | BetMGM MGM Resorts International & Entain plc (50/50 JV) | First Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | MGM National Harbor nearby | Read review → | |
| 6 | Caesars Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token) | Caesars Rewards | Read review → | |
| 7 | Hard Rock Bet Seminole Hard Rock Digital (Seminole Tribe of Florida) | Double Your Winnings on Your First 10 Bets | Unity rewards | Read review → | |
| 8 | Fanatics Fanatics Betting & Gaming | Bet $5, Get $200 in FanCash Instantly (or up to $1,000 matched) | FanCash rewards | Read review → | |
| 9 | BetRivers Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) | 2nd Chance Bet Up to $500 in Bonus Bets | Rush Street Interactive | Read review → | |
| 10 | SuperBook Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino | Varies by state | Vegas-style | Read review → | |
| 11 | theScore Bet PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) | Bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly | PENN Entertainment | Read review → | |
| 12 | WynnBET Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) | Varies by market | Wynn Resorts | Read review → | |
| 13 | Unibet | -- | Varies | European operator | -- |
All operators above are licensed by the Virginia Lottery and accept bets only from inside Virginia state lines (verified by geolocation). Tax rate: 15%. Minimum age: 21. See where Virginia's sports betting tax revenue actually goes →
Best sportsbook in Virginia → Compare Virginia welcome bonuses →
Virginia Operator Comparison · Who Wins What
Five decision axes across the top 5 licensed operators in Virginia. We compute the winner per axis from operator metadata (rating, bonus dollar amount, app store rating, payout speed, payment-method count). Use this as a shortcut when you want one operator for one specific reason.
- Editor's pick Best overall ratingFanDuelRating 4.8 / 5
- Biggest bonus Highest headline dollar valueBetMGM$1,500
- Best mobile app Combined iOS + Android ratingFanDueliOS 4.8 · Android 4.7
- Fastest payout Quickest verified withdrawal pathFanDuelPayPal (under 1 hour)
- Most payment methods Widest deposit / withdrawal rangeFanDuel9 methods
Bottom line for Virginia: FanDuel is our top pick at 4.8 / 5. Polished mobile app and the SGP+ builder, which lets bettors create same-game parlays faster and with better correlation pricing than at competitors. Different bettor profiles may prefer the category-specific winners above (sharp parlay players favor the SGP+ leader; small-stake casuals usually do better with whichever operator carries the lowest rollover requirement).
Need help? You're not alone
Sports betting in Virginia is for adults 21+. If gambling stops being fun, or you're worried about someone else, these Virginia-relevant resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Helplines
- 1-800-426-2537 1-800-GAMBLER (National Problem Gambling Helpline) Text "HELPLINE" to 800GAM (800426) ncpg.org ↗
- 1-888-532-3500 Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline vacouncilonproblemgambling.org ↗
Warning signs include: chasing losses, betting more than you can afford, hiding bets from family, or feeling anxious when not betting. Self-exclusion programs are available through every licensed Virginia operator and through the Virginia Lottery.
How to bet on sports in Virginia
A step-by-step walkthrough for placing your first legal sports bet in Virginia.
- 01
Choose a licensed sportsbook
Virginia has 13 licensed online sportsbooks, with FanDuel the largest national operator. National books like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars use a single account that works across all legal states.
- 02
Verify you are 21+ and a US resident
Sign up online with your legal name, date of birth, address, and last four of your SSN. Operators verify your identity through a soft credit check; this does not affect your credit score.
- 03
Confirm your location is inside the state
Operators use device geolocation to confirm you are physically inside Virginia at the moment of betting. Residency is not required; visitors can bet here. You cannot bet from outside the state, even if your account is registered to a Virginia address.
- 04
Fund your account
Most operators accept ACH bank transfer, debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, and pay-by-app methods like Apple Pay. Deposits typically clear instantly.
- 05
Place your first bet
Pick a market (moneyline, spread, total, or prop), set your stake, and review the bet slip before submitting. Most operators show your potential payout inline before you confirm.
Virginia Sports Betting Timeline
Key milestones in the Virginia legal sports betting market, from the federal PASPA ruling through launch and ongoing regulatory changes.
-
PASPA struck down
Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA returned sports betting authority to the states.
-
Virginia launches sports betting
Market goes live under Virginia Lottery.
Virginia Sports Betting FAQ
Is online sports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, online sports betting is fully legal in Virginia. The market launched in Jan 2021 and is regulated by the Virginia Lottery. 13 licensed operators currently serve the state.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Virginia?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Virginia. Operators verify age via SSN and ID checks during account registration.
Which sportsbooks are available in Virginia?
Virginia has 13 licensed online operators including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and 8 more.
What is the sports betting tax rate in Virginia?
Virginia taxes sports betting operators at 15% of adjusted gross revenue. This is paid by the operator, not the bettor, but it does affect promo offers and pricing competitiveness.
Do I have to live in Virginia to bet there?
No, residency is not required. You only need to be physically located inside Virginia state lines when placing the bet; the sportsbook verifies your location via geolocation. Visitors from other states can bet in Virginia.
Can I bet on college sports in Virginia?
Virginia restricts betting on in-state college teams. Out-of-state college games and pro sports are allowed.
Other legal US states
Explore sports betting guides for other US states where wagering is fully legal.