Virginia passed legislation (SB 384 and HB 896) in March 2020, legalizing statewide sports betting. The first online sports bet was placed on January 21, 2021, with FanDuel taking that historic wager.
Virginia now hosts 12 online sports betting sites. FanDuel, Caesars, bet365, and Sporttrade stand out as my top picks. However, there are many other excellent options available. You should explore other sites, too, like BetMGM and BetRivers, to take advantage of their competitive odds and valuable welcome bonuses.
Below you'll find information about all of the online and retail sportsbooks available in Virginia and the important regulations you should know before signing up.
List of All Virginia Sportsbooks
Virginia is home to 12 online sportsbooks, making it one of the nation's most vibrant sports betting markets.
Here's a quick guide on what each sportsbook does best:
- FanDuel: Best Overall Sportsbook
- Caesars: Best Odds Boosts
- bet365: Best for Futures Betting
- Sporttrade: Best Odds
- BetMGM: Best Loyalty Program
- DraftKings: Best for Props Betting
- BetRivers: Best for Live Betting
- Fanatics: Good for Competitive Odds
- ESPN BET: Best for NFL Betting
- Hard Rock Bet: Best for Parlay Betting
- Betr: Best for Micro Betting
- Bally Bet: Valuable Welcome Bonus
1) FanDuel: Best Overall Sportsbook in Virginia
FanDuel Sportsbook was first out of the gate in Virginia, taking the state's first sports bet. Their partnership with the Washington Commanders has helped them connect with the local sports crowd.
For my money, FanDuel is the top sportsbook here. They consistently offer the best odds, particularly with prop bets where they outshine the competition. Their app is slick, easy to use, and packed with valuable promos.
Another thing I like about FanDuel is that they offer a ton of prop bets across all the major sports, so there's always something exciting to bet on.
Like all other books, FanDuel has a few downsides. They're missing a loyalty program, which is a letdown. Their NFL teaser odds aren't the sharpest either, and I'm not too thrilled about how much they push parlays through ready-made Same Game Parlays and SGP promotions.
FanDuel Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 94/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 Bonus If Your Bet Wins
- Best Features: Odds competitiveness, market variety
- Biggest Drawbacks: No sportsbook rewards program, not many daily odds boosts
- Number of Sports: 21+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days (typically faster)
- Rewards Program: DFS & Casino only
Check out my full FanDuel Sportsbook review here.
2) Caesars: Best Odds Boosts at Virginia Sportsbooks
Caesars was the fifth sportsbook in Virginia, launching on February 3, 2021. They started with plans to open a permanent casino in Danville by the end of 2024, including a retail sportsbook.
The biggest highlight of Caesars VA is their odds boosts. They roll out a wide range of daily odds boosts across different sports, and you can find some genuine value—they're not just puffing up the odds on long shots. Typically, there's a cap on bets around $100, but the value is pretty solid even with that limit.
Caesars nails it in the user experience department. It's often praised as the most straightforward app, thanks to its clean, minimalist design and straightforward layout. Caesars is known for offering some of the best odds on straight bets, including moneylines, totals, and spreads.
That said, Caesars could improve in a few areas. Their payout speeds are notably slow, which can be frustrating. I wish they'd release betting lines for major sports quicker since they tend to lag behind other sportsbooks. And a minor annoyance—there’s no single platform for all states, so switching states on the app can be a bit of a hassle if you're traveling.
Caesars Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 93/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $1, Get 2x Winnings on Next 20 Bets
- Best Features: Loyalty program, user-friendly UX
- Biggest Drawbacks: Slower payout speeds, sluggish customer service
- Number of Sports: 23+
- Payout Speed: Up to 72 hours
- Rewards Program: Caesars Rewards
Check out my Caesars Sportsbook review here.
3) bet365: Best Sportsbook in Virginia for Futures Betting
bet365 launched in Virginia on January 31, 2021, marking the fourth state where they've established a presence. Their partnership with the Washington Commanders helps boost their profile in the fiercely competitive Virginia sports betting market.
bet365 is my go-to sportsbook for futures betting in Virginia. They feature a much more comprehensive selection of futures markets than most, with options you won't find elsewhere, like bets on who’ll make the MLB's 30-30 club. bet365 also offers many more futures bets on niche sports than other sportsbooks, which usually only have a handful available.
The range of sports at bet365 is impressive, with over 26 sports to bet on. I like the Auto and Partial Cash Outs—these tools can be practical for managing bets. The sportsbook is a goldmine for alternate lines, providing options for markets where other sportsbooks don’t offer alt lines.
However, there are some areas where bet365 could improve. The lack of a loyalty program is a notable shortfall. Their prop bet odds are sometimes less competitive than other top sportsbooks. Also, it is a bit nagging that you must log in to create parlays.
bet365 Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 89/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: $1,000 First bet safety net or bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Auto Cash Out, insane number of odds boosts, early payout promos
- Biggest Drawbacks: Subpar prop odds, no sportsbook rewards program
- Number of Sports: 26+
- Payout Speed: Up to 24 hours
- Rewards Program: None
Check out my bet365 review here for a detailed look at the sportsbook
4) Sporttrade: Best Odds in Virginia
Sporttrade is the newest sportsbook to go live in Virginia, launching in October 2024.
Sporttrade's unique selling point is that it's more like a stock exchange for sports bets as opposed to a traditional sportsbook.
Instead of betting against the house, you’re betting against other users. This allows Sporttrade to offer the best odds in Virginia, as they only take a 2% cut of winning bets.
Most odds come out around -105—as opposed to the standard -110 at sportsbooks—which means you profit more on winning bets. You can also cash out at any time, and there is no downtime in games that are in play.
The biggest downside of Sporttrade is that there’s a bit of a learning curve to get used to the platform. If you aren’t familiar with stock platforms, you might have a tough adjustment to Sporttrade, though it's easy enough to place bets.
Still, Sporttrade is a must-use app in Virginia for the odds competitiveness alone. There aren't as many props available as traditional sportsbooks have, but it should be your go-to for straight bets (as well as the props they do offer).
Sporttrade Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 87/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: 10% cash back on bets in first week
- Best Features: Odds on straight bets & futures
- Biggest Drawbacks: Limited markets & sports
- Number of Sports: 9
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days
- Rewards Program: N/A
Learn more in our full Sporttrade review.
5) BetMGM: Best Loyalty Program among VA betting sites
BetMGM launched in Virginia on January 27, 2021, just six days after online sports betting was introduced in the state. While they don't have a retail location in Virginia, their MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino is nearby. Additionally, they've formed partnerships with teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Nationals, which should resonate well with local sports fans.
It's a close call between Caesars and BetMGM on who has the best loyalty program, but I lean towards BetMGM. You can earn a lot of bonus bets through the BetMGM Rewards program. For instance, last NFL season, they had a promo where they gave out $50 in bonus bets each week if you bet over $1,000, which is a great deal for football fans like myself.
Besides the BetMGM Rewards, there's a lot to love about BetMGM Sportsbook. I'm really into their Signature Bets—unique game props you can't even find on FanDuel. Also, the Edit My Bet feature has been a lifesaver for me more times than I can count. It's a nice escape hatch when your parlay starts to look shaky.
It's not all roses at BetMGM Sportsbook, of course. One major gripe I have is how quickly they limit successful bettors. If you start winning big, brace yourself for some restrictive caps on your bets. Also, their user interface could use some work, especially the desktop version, which tends to have a lot of functionality issues.
BetMGM Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 84/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Edit My Bet, NFL rewards
- Biggest Drawbacks: Quickly limits sharps, UX can be a bit buggy
- Number of Sports: 19+
- Payout Speed: Up to 24 hours
- Rewards Program: MGM Rewards
Check out my BetMGM Sportsbook review here.
6) DraftKings: Best VA Sportsbook for Props Betting
DraftKings VA got up and running only a few days after sports betting kicked off in the state.
If you’re big on prop bets, DraftKings should be on your radar alongside FanDuel. They have a wide array of options for major sports, from NFL bets on whether a team will pull off a comeback to NBA head-to-head matchups on who'll sink more threes. DK also has a good lineup of props bets for secondary sports. In tennis, they offer unique plays like betting on the number of games a player will win.
I like the teaser odds for football at DraftKings. They offer -120 odds on Wong Teasers (2-team, 6-point NFL teasers), while most other sportsbooks feature -130 or shorter. Another standout feature at DraftKings is their customizable odds boosts. You're not stuck with whatever pre-set boosts they have; you can pick and boost the odds on the markets you care about most.
Surprisingly, we found DraftKings' odds to not be as good as what other major sportsbooks, on average. Plus, they're quick to limit successful bettors like some other options on this list. If you start racking up wins, don't be surprised if they suddenly slap limits on your bets and cut short your hot streak.
DraftKings Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 84/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets + $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- Best Features: Market depth, profit boost tokens
- Biggest Drawbacks: Odds not always competitive, quickly limit winners
- Number of Sports: 25+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days
- Rewards Program: Dynasty Rewards
Check out my DraftKings Sportsbook review here.
7) BetRivers: Best Sportsbook in Virginia for Live Betting
BetRivers was the fourth online sportsbook to launch in Virginia after BetMGM in late January 2021. In January 2023, they opened a $320 million BetRivers Casino in Portsmouth, making it Virginia's first full-service permanent casino. This venue houses a retail BetRivers Sportsbook, making it the second brick-and-mortar sportsbook to open in the state.
BetRivers is my favorite sportsbook in Virginia for live betting. Their in-play platform is fast and packed with betting options across all sports. Make sure to check out “instant betting,” which is their take on micro betting. You’ll find exciting play-by-play bets like predicting the next drive's outcome in football or whether an ace will be served in the current tennis game. It's also great that you can easily find events with live streaming in the “Streaming Live” section—usually, you have to enter the game to see if a live feed is available.
I've got to hand it to BetRivers for their top-notch soccer odds. Whether you bet on the Richmond Kickers or any other soccer team, BetRivers gives you the best bang for your buck. Plus, they're quick with payouts, often processing withdrawals in less than 24 hours in my experience.
Yet, they still haven’t removed that super annoying newsfeed from the platform. I also run into functionality issues, like random pop-ups claiming my connection speed is slow, even when my Wi-Fi is OK.
BetRivers Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 82/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Second chance bet up to $500 depending on state
- Best Features: Fast payouts, competitive teaser and soccer odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Functionality issues, limits successful bettors quickly
- Number of Sports: 29+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days (usually within a day)
- Rewards Program: iRush Rewards
Check out my BetRivers Sportsbook review here.
8) Fanatics: Virginia Sportsbook with Competitive Odds
Fanatics Sportsbook launched in November 2023, making it one of the newest additions to the Virginia sports betting market.
While FanDuel might have the best overall odds among Virginia sportsbooks, Fanatics is right on their heels. It’s a good idea to check out Fanatics when shopping around for odds—they consistently offer competitive lines on straight bets and props.
The FanCash rewards program is pretty cool, too. It's essentially a cashback system where you get a portion of your wagered money back in bonus bets. Fanatics also offers a robust live-streaming platform powered by Genius. You just need to bet $1 or more to access the streams, and once you're in, you can both watch and bet on the games you’re viewing.
Surprisingly, Fanatics hasn't launched a desktop platform yet. I get that most betting happens on mobile apps, but a desktop option is pretty standard at VA sportsbooks. Also, there have been many reports about fanatics limiting successful bettors and even restricting their ability to use the welcome bonus fully.
Fanatics Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 81/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet & Get Up to $2k in FanCash
- Best Features: Valuable sign-up bonus, competitive prop odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Confusing interface, no desktop site, quick to limit winners
- Number of Sports: 15
- Payout Speed: Up to 3 business days
- Rewards Program: FanCash Rewards
Check out my Fanatics Sportsbook review here.
9) ESPN BET: Virginia Sportsbook with Competitive Odds
ESPN BET rolled out its sports betting app in Virginia on November 14, 2023. It’s essentially a revamped Barstool Sportsbook and has kept many original features—for better or worse.
Even though there are better overall sportsbooks than ESPN BET, it’s one of my go-to places for football betting. They offer the lowest NFL vig among all Virginia betting sites, which means they take less cut on your football bets. It’s also one of the few places to bet on players not to score a touchdown. Plus, ESPN BET offers market-low vig on NCAAF markets, so you’ll consistently find competitive odds when betting on Virginia Tech football team.
ESPN BET offers a top-notch live betting platform with extras like live streaming and Same Game Parlays+. I'm also a fan of their odds boosts, particularly the “In the News” specials. These are usually some crazy longshot parlays with odds that can shoot up to +10,000.
On the downside, ESPN BET's user interface could be smoother—it's pretty clunky, and the betting markets are scattered, making it hard to find what you need. Additionally, ESPN BET is arguably one of the most restrictive sportsbooks for imposing betting limits.
ESPN BET Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 73/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $10, get $100 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Sports variety, competitive pre-game odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Subpar user experience, not many features
- Number of Sports: 20+
- Payout Speed: 1 to 5 banking days
- Rewards Program: PENN Play Program
Check out my ESPN BET review here.
10) Hard Rock Bet: Best Betting Site in Virginia for Parlay Betting
Hard Rock launched its sports betting platform in Virginia in May 2022. They also opened a retail sportsbook at their temporary casino in Bristol.
I’m generally not one to push parlay betting since I see them as low-value bets. But if parlays are your thing, I think Hard Rock Bet would be a solid choice in Virginia. This is primarily because of their Flex Parlay feature, which acts like insurance. It allows you to make a small profit even if you miss two or more selections from your parlay.
Hard Rock Bet also throws in some cool prop bets now and then, like wagering on an NBA team to score the first and last points of a game. Another strong point is their payout speed. I've cashed out several times, and the money was in my account within two days each time.
On the downside, Hard Rock Bet could improve its odds for straight bets. More often than not, they offer 30-cent lines (like -110 and -120) on totals. Also, it would be great if they beefed up their promotions since they usually only have a few available.
Hard Rock Bet Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 71/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 Bonus If You Win
- Best Features: Flex Parlay, Fast Payouts
- Biggest Drawbacks: Subpar odds for totals, functionality quirks
- Number of Sports: 16+
- Payout Speed: Up to 48 hours
- Rewards Program: Loyalty Rewards
Check out my Hard Rock Bet review here.
11) Betr: Virginia Sportsbook with Good Micro Betting Offerings
Betr went live in Virginia in September 2023 after Golden Nugget exited the market.
12) Bally Bet: Valuable Welcome Bonus
Bally Bet launched its sports betting app in Virginia on Nov 24, 2021.
Virginia Sports Betting Quick Facts
Online sportsbooks | 12 |
Max number of betting apps per law | 18 |
Retail sports betting | Yes |
Legalization date | April 22, 2020 |
Launch date | January 21, 2021 |
State regulator | |
College betting | Yes (betting on in-state teams is prohibited) |
Esports betting | Yes |
Min age for registration | 21 |
Payment method exclusions | None |
Tax rate on operators | 15% |
Online registration allowed | Yes |
Online casinos | No |
List of Retail Sportsbooks In Virginia
There are two retail sportsbooks in Virginia, with more on the way. The law allows for up to five retail betting locations. If any new spots open up, I'll keep you updated here so you can find the latest info in the table below.
Retail Sportsbook | Address |
BetRivers at Rivers Casino Portsmouth | 3630 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701 |
Hard Rock Bet at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol | 500 Gate City Hwy, Bristol, VA 24201 |
Virginia Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, both online and retail sports betting are legal in Virginia.
What is the best online sportsbook in Virginia?
Virginia's top 5 online sportsbooks are FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and Sporttrade.
Which sportsbook in Virginia has the best odds?
According to an in-depth market analysis, FanDuel offers the best odds in Virginia.
How old do I have to be to bet at Virginia sportsbooks?
You must be at least 21 years old to bet at sportsbooks in Virginia.
Do I have to be a resident of Virginia to bet?
No, you don’t have to be a resident, but you must be physically located in Virginia to place bets.
When did Virginia's online sportsbooks launch?
Virginia online sportsbooks launched in January 2021.
Is esports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, esports betting is legal in Virginia. You can bet on competitive games like DOTA 2, LOL, and Call of Duty at Virginia sportsbooks.
Is college betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, but betting on Virginia-based college teams like the Virginia Cavaliers or events in Virginia is prohibited.
Are there physical sportsbooks in Virginia?
Yes, two retail sportsbooks are currently in Virginia, with plans for more.
Do I have to pay taxes if I win a sports bet in Virginia?
Yes, sports betting winnings are subject to federal and state taxes in Virginia. The federal tax rate is 24%, and the state tax rate ranges from 2% to 5.75%.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal?
No, offshore sportsbooks like Bovada are not legal in Virginia.
