Virginia Sports Betting | Best Online Sportsbooks in VA

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Sports betting in Virginia launched at the beginning of 2021 after its official legalization in April 2020. Various sports betting brands came storming into the new market, with FanDuel, DraftKings, William Hill, and BetMGM being among the first operators to launch their products in the state.

Although it’s relatively fresh, the Virginia sports betting industry is growing fast, currently hosting several sportsbooks with more to launch shortly. Anyone that is 21+ located within Virginia’s borders can bet online via mobile apps and websites.

If you’re a sports betting enthusiast living in VA or just visiting, you might be interested in which sportsbooks are available across the state, what sports and types of bets are available, and what the rules and regulations are.

Our guide goes over all of that and more, including the best sportsbooks and intro promos currently available in Virginia.

Best Online Sportsbooks in Virginia

In total, we've analyzed and reviewed 13 Virginia sportsbooks. 

Our ratings are based on 8 categories including odds, intro promo, promotions & odds boosts, sports & bets offered, user interface, deposits & withdrawals, customer reviews, and education & statistics.

After analyzing each VA sportsbook, we narrowed our list down to the top 7 overall. Below you will see those 7 sportsbooks ordered by overall rating. We also found which each sportsbook was “best” at so you can find one that fits your needs.

Best Online Sportsbooks in VA

  1. Caesars: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall
  2. FanDuel: Best Overall (Tied)
  3. BetMGM: Best Overall (Tied)
  4. bet365: Best Odds
  5. BetRivers: Best Odds
  6. DraftKings: Best Variety of Sports
  7. SI Sportsbook: Best Education & Statistics

Best Online Sportsbooks in VA

#1

Caesars Sportsbook Logo
5/5

Caesars Sportsbook

#2

5/5

FanDuel Sportsbook

>> Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

#3

5/5

BetMGM Sportsbook

>> Up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses

#4

4.9/5

bet365 Sportsbook

#5

4.8/5

BetRivers Sportsbook

1) Caesars Sportsbook VA: Best Sign-Up Bonus

Caesars Sportsbook Logo
5/5

Promo code: OA1000

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your opening bet at Caesars loses, you'll receive a Bonus bet of equal value as a refund, up to $1,000. You must use the Bonus Bet within 14 days once it hits your account. Access it with our exclusive link here.

Caesars Sportsbook became one of the best sportsbooks available after acquiring William Hill and integrating its technology into the Caesars platform.

Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best sign-up for new customers in the industry—a Bonus Bet up to $1,000 as a refund if your first wager loses. To claim the sign up offer, use promo code OA1000. Once you receive your Bonus Bet, you have 14 days to use them.

The perks of the Caesars Sportsbook don't end after you take advantage of the intro bonus, either. They offer some of the most competitive odds in the industry and have attractive ongoing promotions and odds boosts to help you win more.

Caesars also offers all major sports and bet types—including same game parlays that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in one parlay.

The Caesars Sportsbook app is also one of the best available in the nation. It's easy to navigate, is very responsive, and rarely crashes or has other issues. 

Overall, Caesars Sportsbook is a phenomenal option when it comes to betting. They have the best sign-up bonus, great odds, regular odds boosts, and an awesome user experience.

Pros

Cons

2) FanDuel Sportsbook VA: Best Overall

fanduel sportsbook logo
5/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

New players receive $200 in bonus bets if their first $5+ bet wins. Your bonus bets will be credited within 72 hours of your first wager winning and you have 7 days to use them. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.

FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated sportsbook thanks to the competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, variety of bet types and sports to wager on, and a great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets sign-up bonus if one of the best of all legal sportsbooks since it only requires a $10 deposit and $5 bet to receive 30x your initial bet if it wins. FanDuel's welcome bonus gives you the opportunity to build a nice bankroll to start off betting with.

FanDuel pioneered the “Same Game Parlay” and offers the smoothest and most complete process for betting them. With these, you can combine prop bets, totals, and sides from the same game in a single parlay. If you've ever seen screenshots of ridiculous parlays from a single game online, it was likely a Same Game Parlay from FanDuel.

Whether you are looking for a single sportsbook to use or want to add another book to your lineup of options, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best options currently available. There's a reason FanDuel dominates market share in the U.S. and we think you'll be very satisfied if you decide to go with them.

Pros

Cons

3) BetMGM Sportsbook VA: Best Customer Reviews

betmgm sportsbook logo
5/5

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

 

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your first bet loses, receive a refund in bonus bets up to $1,500. You must use the Bonus Bets within 7 days of them being credited to your account but there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.

BetMGM Sportsbook is another one of our highest-rated online sportsbooks—scoring well in all categories we analyze.

To start, all new BetMGM customers are eligible for a Second Chance Up to $1,500. If your first bet loses, receive a refund in bonus bets up to the limit. There is no BetMGM bonus code required to receive this promo—it's automatically applied to your account after you register and make your first bet.

BetMGM also offers a wide variety of sports and bet types, generous promotions and odds boosts, competitive odds, and a good user experience.

Another thing that sets BetMGM apart is that it offers true same game parlays (called “One Game Parlays”). Like with FanDuel's Same Game Parlays, you can combine prop bets, totals, and/or sides from the same game in one parlay.

Of all the sportsbooks we've analyzed, BetMGM has the best customer reviews. On the Apple App Store, BetMGM has an average of 4.8 stars from over 87 thousand reviews.

On the downside, BetMGM doesn't have player statistics available in the app and it can be difficult to get ahold of customer support.

Overall, BetMGM is one of best sportsbooks currently available, offering one of the best intro promos in the nation, competitive odds boosts and ongoing promotions, a great user experience, and everything else you may want in a book.

Pros

Cons

4) bet365 VA: Best Odds

Bet365 logo
4.9/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4/5

Intro Promo

You can pick from two sign-up offers at bet365. (1) Bet $5+ within 30 days to get $150 in Bonus Bets. (2) If your first bet loses, you get a refund of up to $1,000 in Bonus BetsAccess the bet365 bonus here.

bet365 is one of the most well-known sportsbooks in the world and has expanded into the U.S. since sports betting was legalized there.

To start, bet365 has two welcome bonuses for you to pick from. With the first one, just bet $5 or more at odds of -500 or longer within 30 days of signing up, and you'll get $150 in bonus bets. The second deal is a safety net for your first bet. If it doesn’t win, you’ll get your stake back, up to $1,000 in bonus bets.

Other great things about bet365 include the very competitive odds that are often better than competitors and the numerous odds boosts and promotions they run.

While the bet365 user interface on the website and mobile apps isn't anything to run home about, the platform is very stable and rarely runs into crashes or other frustrating bugs like many other online sportsbooks.

If you're looking for a no-frills sportsbook with great odds, a sign-up bonus with a low commitment (but high value), and a number of other benefits, bet365 is a great option to consider.

Pros

Cons

5) BetRivers Sportsbook VA: Best Odds

BetRivers Sportsbook Logo
4.8/5

*Varies by state

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

BetRivers offers a second chance bet up to the following limits: $500 (IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NY, PA, VA), $250 (CO, NJ), $100 (NY). You have 30 days to use the bonus bet if you receive it. Access it with our exclusive link here.

BetRivers Sportsbook checks in next on our list of the top sports betting sites/apps. It ranks as “best” or “above average” in every category we score.

The BetRivers intro promo is competitive with other sportsbooks. If your first bet loses, BetRivers will refund it with a bonus bet up of either $500, $250, or $100 depending on your state.

To make things even better, BetRivers regularly offers better odds than every other sportsbook—especially when it comes to the NFL. While other books have standard -110 odds, BetRivers often offers -109 or -108, meaning you have to win fewer bets to be profitable.

Aside from odds, you'll find everything bettors come to expect in online sportsbooks these days with BetRivers, including same game parlays, a variety of markets to choose from, a smooth user experience, and ongoing odds boosts and promotions.

On the downside, some customers have complained of bets taking a long time to settle. In addition, BetRivers doesn't offer team or player stats in the app/on the site—though you can usually find this info on other sites.

If you are looking for a longterm betting app, BetRivers is a great option thanks to the industry-leading odds and well-founded betting experience.

Pros

Cons

6) DraftKings Sportsbook VA: Best Deposit Match

Draftkings Sportsbook logo
4.8/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 4.5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit of up to $5,000 ($1,000 max match in site credit). You must bet the bonus 25x before you are able to withdraw it and you have 90 days to do so.

DraftKings Sportsbook is another amazing option when it comes to sports betting sites.

DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, a variety of sports to wager on and bet types (including Same Game Parlays), and great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The intro promo provides good value ($1,000 if maxed out), but the 25x rollover requirement is a lot especially considering you only have 90 days to bet it. In order to take advantage of the full welcome bonus, you would need to deposit $5,000 then bet $25,000 over the first 90 days.

Like most other competitive online sportsbooks, DraftKings regularly offers odds boosts and ongoing promotions—such as parlay insurance, ways to earn bonus bets, and more. Taking advantage of these is a great way to maximize your winnings.

Though it isn't quite our highest-rated sportsbook, DraftKings in undoubtedly one of the best options currently available and we think you'll be very satisfied if you go with them. Just be sure to read the fine print on the intro promo and bet the deposit match in time.

Pros

Cons

7) SI Sportsbook VA: Best Merch Giveaways

SI Sportsbook Logo
4.7/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 3/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 4.5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

SI Sportsbook gives you a 100% match on your first deposit of $10+. You have 7 days to use the bonus bets and there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.

SI Sportsbook is another middle-of-the-pack sportsbook according to our Editorial Ratings.

While the SI Sportsbook promo doesn't have a ton of value relative to other betting offers from competing books, you only have to deposit and bet $10 to take advantage of it—in line with most other books. Just deposit $10+ and the sportsbook will hit you up with a bonus that's equal to your deposit, up to $100.

SI Sportsbook also offers a wide range of markets and has great ongoing promotions and daily odds boosts.

The biggest downside is that Sports Illustrated has worse odds than other books for certain sports. If you end up going with SI Sportsbook, it's worth using at least one other app so you can shop around for the best odds.

With that being said, the intro promo and ongoing odds boosts and promotions alone make signing up for SI Sportsbook worth it.

Pros

Cons

How We Rate Online Sportsbooks in Virginia

Here at Odds Assist, we are committed to creating objective, transparent ratings to help you make the best decisions when it comes to which sportsbooks to use. We will continually update our Editorial Ratings over time as sportsbooks introduce new features, change promotions, etc.

Each sportsbook we review goes through our extensive rating process that evaluates thousands of data points in eight categories, including the following:

Category Weight Description
Odds
25%
How competitive the odds offered are across all major sports
Intro Promo
15%
How competitive the intro promo for new customers is
Promos & Odds Boosts
15%
How many & how generous ongoing odds boosts & promotions are
Sports & Bets Offered
10%
Which sports & types of wagers are offered by the sportsbook
User Interface
10%
How user friendly the website & mobile app(s) are
Deposits & Withdrawals
10%
Which deposit & withdrawal methods are available as well as payout speed
Customer Reviews
10%
How positive customer reviews across other platforms are
Education & Statistics
5%
The availability of educational & responsible gaming resources as well as team & player statistics

We rate each sportsbook relative to other sportsbooks in each category. Each is scored from 1 to 5 with each representing the following:

  • 5 Stars: Best in category
  • 4 Stars: Above-average
  • 3 Stars: Average
  • 2 Stars: Below-average
  • 1 Star: Worst in category

Data for all sportsbooks were collected simultaneously to ensure fairness. For example, we only compared odds for the same games at the same times across all sportsbooks reviewed.

To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.

All Online Sportsbooks in Virginia

Virginia currently offers several online sportsbooks, with more launching soon after already getting the green light to operate in the state. Some sportsbooks have received standalone licenses, while others operate through a partnership with various sports organizations.

Here is a table displaying all active online sportsbooks in Virginia, together with their affiliations, launch dates, tech providers, and information about their welcome offers.

Sportsbook

Affiliated WithTech ProviderLaunch DateIntro Promo

FanDuel

Washington Football TeamIGT

January 2021

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

DraftKings

Standalone

SBTech

January 2021

$1,000 deposit match

BetMGM

Standalone

ROAR Digital

January 2021

Up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses

BetRivers

Rush Street InteractiveKambi

January 2021

$500 second chance bet

Caesars

Caesars

Liberty

February 2021

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Unibet

Standalone

Pala

April 2021

$500 Second Chance Bet

bet365

Washington Commanders

Genius

January 2023

Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets

Team Partnerships with Virginia Sportsbooks

While Virginia does not have any major league professional teams, two teams from Washington D.C. (NFL’s Washington Football Team and NHL’s Washington Capitals) are both headquartered in Virginia and have their practice facilities there.

The only sportsbook-related partnership in Virginia is that of FanDuel and the Washington Football Team, which was announced on the day of the FanDuel sportsbook launch in VA — January 26, 2021.

The team and the FanDuel Group jointly hold the permit for sports betting operations in the state. FanDuel is also the official DFS partner of the Washington Football Team and has received exclusive rights to have signage and establish a special section on game days at the team’s stadium.

>> Read More: NFL Betting Sites

Virginia Sports Betting Timeline

Sports betting in Virginia is currently legal and is part of a free and competitive market, but things didn’t look that bright only a few years ago. That said, here are some important dates that led to the Virginia sports betting industry where it is today:

  • May 2018: The Supreme Court abolishes the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing all states to decide whether they want to legalize sports wagering.
  • January 2019: The General Assembly passes Senate Bill 1126, tasking the state’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission with studying the long-term impact of sports betting on the state’s economy and its revenue potential.
  • April 2020: The state legislature passes Senate Bill 384 and House Bill 896, officially legalizing sports betting in Virginia. Multiple sportsbooks immediately apply for licenses.
  • January 2021: Sports betting in Virginia goes live, with FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and BetRivers launching their online sportsbooks.
  • March 2021: Governor Ralph Northam signs Senate Bill 1254 and House Bill 1847, allowing up to 12 mobile sportsbooks to operate under stand-alone licenses instead of having to be partnered with other gambling establishments.
  • July 2021: Virginia sportsbooks get the green light to offer lines for the Tokyo Olympics.

Virginia Sports Betting Rules & Regulations

Like any state with legalized sports betting, Virginia has a set of rules and regulations that all operators and bettors must comply with. All gambling regulatory responsibilities in the state fall on the Virginia Lottery.

Here are some of the major rules you should probably be familiar with before starting your sports betting journey in Virginia:

Who Is Allowed to Bet in Virginia?

Sports betting is available to anyone 21 or older that is physically present in Virginia with a valid account.

You can visit the sportsbook sites and create an account if you’re outside Virginia, but you won’t be able to bet unless you’re physically within the state’s borders. You do not have to be a resident of Virginia to enjoy sports betting in the state; you just have to be located there.

While completing registration on an online sportsbook, the operator may ask you to provide certain details, such as:

  • Email address
  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Residential address, including city, state, and zip code
  • Phone number
  • Last four digits of your
  • Social Security number

How Are Virginia Sportsbooks Licensed and Taxed?

Sportsbooks who wish to enter the market must pay a licensing fee of $250,000. They also pay $50,000 for every person who controls a 5% stake or higher in the organization. The operators also must pay 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue each month.

The collected taxes are distributed to the state's general fund (97.5%) and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health for problem gambling treatment programs (2.5%).

Is Geolocation Required?

Virginia sportsbooks—like those in every other state—are obligated to use geolocation software to ensure that all customers respect the rules of being physically present in Virginia while taking bets. This software is embedded in most mobile betting apps, but if you wish to bet on desktop, you’ll first have to download a geolocation app.

Physical Sportsbooks in Virginia

Physical sportsbooks are allowed to operate in Virginia, but only if located in casinos and certain sports venues. While local voters approved several land-based casinos, there are yet to open. Current proposed locations include Portsmouth, Danville, Bristol, Richmond, and Norfolk.

Which Betting Types Aren’t Allowed in Virginia?

Sports betting in Virginia is pretty much void of any major restrictions. The only exceptions are bets made on youth competitions, college teams in Virginia, and props and live betting on any college sport, which is a common practice in many other states where online betting is legal.

VA sportsbooks offer all of the main types of sports bets, including:

Virginia Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, sports betting became legal in Virginia in April 2020 with SB 384 and HB 896 bills.

When did Virginia sports betting go live?
Sports betting in Virginia went live in January 2021. The first sportsbook to accept bets in Virginia was FanDuel, followed by the launch of DraftKings, BetRiver, and BetMGM just a few days later.

How old does a person need to be to bet on sports in Virginia?
You must be at least 21 years old to place real-money sports betting wagers in Virginia.

Can you bet online in Virginia?
Yes, all currently operating sportsbooks in Virginia allow you to bet online or via a mobile app.

Is there in-person betting in Virginia?
Virginia does not have any physical sportsbooks currently. That’s because retail sportsbooks in the state are only allowed to operate at casinos and sporting venues. Casinos were only approved in 2020 and will be constructed in the current years, meaning that you’ll still have to wait a while for retail sportsbooks to open.

Do I have to live in Virginia to bet on Virginia sportsbooks?
No, you do not have to be a resident of Virginia to bet on any of the state’s sportsbooks. However, you must be physically located in Virginia at the time of placing the bets.

Are there any off-limit bets in Virginia?
Betting on youth teams and Virginia-based collegiate teams is prohibited with VA sportsbooks.

Do I have to pay taxes on sports betting winnings?
Sports betting winnings in Virginia that exceed $600 are subject to the standard withholding tax rate of 24%. Winnings of more than $600 won’t be taxed, but you still must report it to the IRS.

Is Bovada legal in Virginia?
Bovada operates outside of the United States. Therefore, it is considered an offshore sportsbook. Bovada and all other offshore sportsbooks are illegal in all states with regulated online gambling, including Virginia.

Is horse racing available in Virginia?
Betting on horse races is legal in the state and can be practiced through several betting sites licensed by the Virginia Racing Commission.

Dave Rathmanner

Dave Rathmanner is the Founder & CEO of Odds Assist. After struggling to find helpful sports betting resources and honest reviews when he first started betting, he decided to create the site he always wished he had. Dave has been betting on sports since NJ legalized it in 2018 and regularly analyzes sportsbooks to find the best options for bettors. Aside from creating new content for OA readers, Dave is also passionate about researching betting markets, creating models, and developing profitable betting strategies.