A few newer online gaming products are now legal in VA, including sportsbooks, DFS sites, and lottery sites. We have ranked the top operators from each category to give you an overview of the Virginia online gambling market. We’ve compared the best legal platforms, their most lucrative bonuses, and popular payment methods.

Scott Bowen, Editor at online-gambling.com

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Scott Bowen has been a casino expert and editor at online-gambling.com for a few years. He has professional experience in many gambling products, including roulette and blackjack, video poker, and sports betting.

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Online Gambling in VA: Legal Products and the Best Sites

If you want to gamble online in Virginia, there are various options to choose from. Although gambling revenues continue to rise in the state^[1], not all forms of online gambling are available in the Old Dominion. In the next sections of our guide, we will delve into each niche in more detail by exploring the best Virginia online gambling sites for each legal product.

We will briefly explain the legality of online sports betting, daily fantasy, lottery, poker, and casino sites. Rest assured because we have carried out in-depth research and analysis of the different online gambling platforms in the state to ensure that we list only the best online gambling sites in Virginia.

Online Sportsbooks

In April 2020, the Virginia General Assembly enacted the Sports Betting Law. With the passing of this new legislation, online sports betting is legal in Virginia. The first authorized online sportsbooks went live in Virginia in January 2021 and we’ve managed to feature some of the best ones for Old Dominion players.

The operators listed above are licensed and regulated by Virginia’s gambling regulatory authority. As such, they are safe and operate legally in the state. Our recommended online sportsbooks offer many different markets and types of bets. Plus, each one offers a generous welcome bonus to reward new members. All in all, there are excellent Virginia sports betting sites worthy of being explored.

Daily Fantasy Sports

In 2016, Virginia signed the Fantasy Contests Act into law. The bill made Virginia the first state in the US to officially allow daily fantasy sites to operate within its borders. We have reviewed the available DFS sites for VA and have included the one which excels in terms of variety, deposit options and daily contests:

The sites listed above are well-known American brands and offer lucrative welcome bonuses, as well as many weekly and daily contests. For more information, check out our guide to the best DFS sites in Virginia.

Online Lottery

The Virginia Lottery has been in operation for over thirty years. Like many state lotteries, the Virginia Lotto was established and is used to raise money for the state’s K-12 public school system. It generates nearly $1.6 million per day for the state’s schools. Since 2020, VA residents can play the Virginia Lottery online.

The available online draws include the Mega Millions, Powerball, and Cash 4 Life jackpots. Furthermore, online play has its benefits because players have access to unique welcome offers that can potentially give you free tickets or other perks. Our Virginia online lottery guide gathers essential information about this state’s lottery.

Online Casinos

Until the introduction of the Casino Gaming Law in 2020, casinos were not legal in Virginia. With the passing of the new VA casino laws, up to 5 land-based venues can now legally operate in specified cities across the state, namely Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond.

Unfortunately, even playing on the go is not a possibility at online casinos in Virginia as they are still illegal. We will provide updates whenever this changes, and we do hope it will be sooner rather than later.

Online Poker

There are currently no legal poker sites in Virginia although online poker laws in Virginia fall under the same umbrella as online casinos. That is to say, the only way to legally play poker games online in VA will be on mobile while on the premises of an authorized land-based casino. Whether those operators will offer mobile poker remains to be seen.

Online Gambling Bonuses & Promo Codes in VA

We reviewed Virginia online gambling platforms in detail to bring you our top recommendations. One of the key criteria in our review process was bonuses,but only those which offer fair wagering requirements, good validity and a wide coverage of gambling products. Nowadays, the size of the welcome offer isn’t as important as the terms and conditions, which prove to be vital for the decision-making of each player.

Apart from the welcome promos, some operators also offer ongoing promotions. This means they are available for players who have already completed their first deposit or are regulars at the respective gambling site. Depending on the product, they may be raffles, referal offers, even deposit match-ups. For sports betting sites, the most popular ongoing promos include enhanced odds for particular sports, but you can also see other types of bonuses related even to a particular tournament.

First Deposit Bonuses

Regarding welcome bonuses at Virginia gambling sites, first deposit bonuses are the most common type on offer. You could find your cash is matched dollar for dollar up to a specified amount. Alternatively, some sports betting offers come in the form of risk-free bets. With this type of offer, depending on the T&CS, you will receive the amount of your wager back in free bets should your first bet

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are not as widely available as deposit bonuses. Still, they are worth looking out for as you claim a bonus simply for creating a new player account at a gambling site. You could get a free bet, risk-free wagers or another perk depending on the site’s discretion. These free bonuses tend to be fairly small, but are a good way to try out top online gambling sites without risking your own money.

Top Gambling Apps – Bet on the Go

If you want to gamble online in Virginia, there is no more convenient way to do so than using your mobile phone or tablet. The good news is that all reliable online gambling sites in VA are mobile-friendly. So, whether you want to bet on sports, participate in daily fantasy contests, or play the lottery, you can do it all from your mobile device.

You will find that Virginia’s gambling sites are built with a mobile responsive design. This enables you to access the gambling products directly in your browser without downloading an app. Plus, all the top operators offer apps for iOS and Android that you can download from the respective app stores. Whether you choose a web-based or downloadable app, it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

We thoroughly tested Virginia online gambling apps to identify the best option. Our main criteria are safety, reliability, and licensing, as we strongly advise against off-shore platforms and apps. We checked for a diverse range of betting markets and generous bonuses and promotions that you can claim on the go. We also made sure that the mobile apps were intuitive and user-friendly, so you want have any challenges when using the recommended operator.

Live Online Gambling in Virginia

Once Virginia launches its land-based casinos, Virginia gamblers will also have the chance to play casino games on mobile devices from the venues. If we look at the nearby states that have already launched legal online casinos, you will find that live casino games are among the most popular options. So, we expect live online gambling in Virginia available to play in the future.

While live casino games may not yet be available in the Old Dominion, live betting is already in full swing. At Virginia’s top online sportsbooks, you can bet on sporting events as they happen. In-play betting is one of the most exciting ways to enjoy sports betting online with the odds instantly being updated to reflect the action.

The best online gambling sites in Virginia also offer live streaming of sporting events. You can select from the live events list and watch your favorite teams as they play. Whether you prefer ice hockey, tennis, soccer, or any other sport, you can watch live streams of the US and international sporting events as they happen.

Deposits & Withdrawals

If you want to gamble online with real money in Virginia, you first need to fund your account. The best online gambling sites in VA accept various payment methods, such as debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and online banking. Although different in processing times and limits, they all have something in common- high safety protocols.

Furthermore, some operators support more inoovative payments, such as PayNearMe, which allows you to deposit cash at a retail location. Plus, once Virginia’s land-based gambling venues are launched, you will also be able to deposit in person at the casino cage. Howeverm e-wallets are preferred options by many online gamblers due to their enhanced security and privacy, instantly processed deposits and often times lack of fees.

Depositing at a VA gambling site could not be simpler. You can create a player account in a matter of minutes, and select your preferred payment method. Enter your deposit amount and payment details, and your payment will be processed right away. If you have a bonus code, you should also enter this when making your deposit.

When you want to withdraw your winnings, you should again head to the banking cashier. In most cases, you will need to withdraw through the same method used to deposit. This is a security requirement that is in place to prevent money laundering. Withdrawal times vary depending on the payment method with bank transfers and card payments usually taking around 2-5 days to reach you. In comparison, e-wallet transactions are usually completed within 48 hours, making them a preferred option for fans of fast payouts.

Odds & Payouts

You should understand how payouts and odds work before you start wagering real money at Virginia online gambling sites. The odds at sports betting sites are initially based on the probability an event will happen. So, for example, if a team is on a ten-game winning streak, the odds for that team will be much lower than a team that hasn’t recently won a game.

Betting sites will also increase or decrease the odds they offer depending on the number and value of the bets placed on an event. For example, if a large amount of money has been placed on the Virginia Cavaliers winning their next game, the odds on their opponents could increase to balance a company’s liability.

Sports betting companies are also competing for your custom, so you can expect one company to offer better odds on one sport than others. Therefore, it is common for successful sports bettors to have more than one account to take advantage of the difference in odds offered. We have collated the average payout rates of Virginia casinos and betting sites in the table below.

Payouts for casino games work in a slightly different way. Yet they are still created with the same goal, to ensure that the house always has an advantage and makes a profit. Casino games have a return to player (RTP) rate programmed into their rules. This ensures that a certain percentage of all wagers is paid back as winnings over the long run, and the remaining percentage, or house edge, is retained by the casino as profit.

How to Gamble Online in Virginia

With various legal online gambling sites available in Virginia, you are undoubtedly keen to give it a go. Yet, perhaps you are a little unsure of how to get started. That is why we have put together the steps you need to follow to start your online gambling journey.

Whether you want to gamble on sports, lottery, or DFS, the basic steps remain the same. It all starts with choosing a trusted site that operates legally in Virginia. That way, you can be sure that the personal data you provide during the sign up will be protected and that the site gives you a fair chance of winning. We have put together a step-by-step guide on how to bet on sports online in Virginia:

As you can see, it is easy to get started with online gambling in Virginia. Once you have used your welcome bonus, make sure to check out the other promotions that are available for existing players. You will find various offers that you can use to your advantage the more you bet online. We would also like to remind you to set limits and gamble responsibly. That way, you can stay safe when you enjoy the thrill of online gambling.

Advantages of Online Gambling in VA

Until Virginia’s newly authorized casino venues are launched, there are very few opportunities to gamble at land-based establishments in the state. For now, the lottery is one of the only available forms of gambling that you can enjoy in person. If you want to bet on sports, you can only do so online for the time being. We have compared online vs. offline gambling in VA with that in mind.

Virginia has only recently authorized land-based casinos, and it will surely take some time until officials start debating whether online casinos should be legalized. However, given the extra convenience of online gambling sites and the generous bonuses up for grabs, online gambling is undoubtedly the best option for gamblers at the moment.

Land-based Casinos, Racetracks, and Lottery Retailers

As previously mentioned, there are few land-based gambling venues in Virginia. Until new legislation was passed in 2020, land-based casinos were illegal in the state. While brick-and-mortar casinos have been authorized in VA, they opened later in 2023.

The most widely available form of retail gambling in VA is the Virginia Lottery. Since being launched in 1987, there are now over 5000 official lotto retailers that sell VA Lottery tickets throughout the state. The other land-based gambling option in VA is horse racing betting.

Colonial Downs is the sole pari-mutual horse racetrack in Virginia. Located in New Kent, it features two racing surfaces. You can enjoy pari-mutual wagering, including live racing and simulcast races. Plus, electronic gaming devices based on the outcome of historical horse races are available, both at the racetrack and at three partners VA-Horseplay Betting Centers and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums.

Virginia Gambling Laws

Until recently, Virginia has been a state with relatively restrictive gambling laws. The state has offered lottery draws since 1987, and it also legalized iLottery services in 2020. Horse racing betting has been permitted since 1989, with off-track bets accepted from 2003. Charitable gambling is allowed in Virginia. Plus, daily fantasy contests are legal.

Big changes to Virginia’s legal gambling industry came in 2020 when the Virginia legislature enacted laws that would significantly expand legal gambling in Virginia. Under the new legislation, land-based casino venues became legal for the first time in the state’s history. The expanded gaming laws also legalized sports betting in the state, but poker as a whole remains illegal at the moment, except for social poker games for fun.

The Virginia Lottery Board is tasked with regulatory responsibilities for the newly legalized land-based casinos and online sports betting sectors. In the next sections of our guide for online gambling in Virginia, we will explore the state’s gambling laws in more detail.

Gambling Guides for Other States

• WV Online Gambling Guide
• PA Online Gambling Guide
• NJ Online Gambling Guide
• DC Online Gambling Guide

History of Gambling in Virginia

The early history of gambling in Virginia is filled with restrictions. In 1973, charitable gambling was finally approved. The Lottery was launched in 1987 and continues to this day. In 2016, the state granted licenses for several daily fantasy sports websites. And most recently, online sports betting has gone live, with the launch of legal land-based casinos on the horizon. Below, we have collated some of the important dates in Virginia’s gambling history:

State Facts & Statistics

Virginia is one of the most well-known states in the Union. Many famous Americans have called the state their home. Well-known residents include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee and Moses Malone, among others. Although Virginia’s wild pony swim may suggest a state with a rich history of horse racing, this is not the case. Below are some facts about Virginia’s gambling and economic situation, which can help you contextualize what is going on in the state.

Legal Gambling Age in VA

If you want to participate in any type of gambling in Virginia, you need to know the legal gambling age to stay on the right side of the law. The legal Virginia gambling age varies depending in the gambling activity. To play at an authorized daily fantasy betting site, you must be at least 18 years old. The same age applies to playing the Virginia Lottery.

In keeping with most other states that have legalized online sports betting, you must be 21 or above to bet on sports in Virginia. The state’s commercial casinos will also impose a 21+ age limit once they are launched. Operators are subject to hefty fines for allowing underage gambling to take place. So, you will be required to provide proof of age when you join any Virginia online gambling sites.

• Legal Gambling Age
  You must be 21 or above to bet at online sportsbooks. DFS and iLottery are available at 18.
• Legal Drinking Age
  To consume or buy alcohol in Virginia, you must be 21+ years of age.
• Legal Age for Marijuana
  Recreational marijuana use is legal for people aged 21 and older in Virginia.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Any state that allows its residents to gamble legally should take addiction prevention and problem gambling seriously. In Virginia, you have a few places you can turn to if you think you have or are developing problem behavior. Having in mind that there is an increase in problem gambling among Old Dominion players^[2], the role of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) becomes all that more important.

The VACPG offers similar help to that of national agencies, with its help being tailored to Virginia residents and their needs. On the site, you’ll find helpful resources, helplines, emails, and more means of contact and assistance. All authorized VA gambling sites list contact details for the organization as part of their licensing conditions, and they also must offer a self-exclusion option.

Upcoming Regulation and Expected Changes

Legislation can take a while to change, but the passage of the new casino bill through the senate has many believing that VA online casinos may be on the cards. Mobile casino gaming will be permitted once the state’s first land-based casinos are launched, albeit on the premises. Still, this would be a good testing ground to gauge whether offering full-scale online casino gaming is a viable option in Virginia.

However, my team and I imagine it will still be a long time before you can legally gamble at online casinos from anywhere in the state. To learn more about the industry, read our guide to online gambling in the US. Note that you must be within state territory to partake in its gambling activities even if the activities are online.

References

• Dashiel, Joe (Senior Reporter) (September 2, 2023), Gambling revenues continue to climb in Virginia, WDBJ7, Retrieved November 29, 2023
• Moomaw, Graham (January 3, 2023), Virginia lawmakers want to create new state committee on gambling addiction, Virginia Mercury, Retrieved November 29, 2023