Virginia Sports Betting
News of yet another state legalizing sports betting was somewhat lost in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sports betting officially became legal in the state of Virginia in April of 2020. We expect mobile betting sites like FanDuel to be up and running by mid-December.
Virginia Sports Betting Details
| Legal Date | July 1, 2020 |
| Legal Age to Bet | 21 |
| Online/In App Betting | Yes |
| Maximum Bet | No Limit |
| Corresponding Bills | SB 384 and HB 896 |
| Eligible Sportsbooks | Any partnered with Colorado’s 33 casinos. |
Virginia Sportsbooks
While we do not officially know what sportsbooks will launch in Virginia in December, given just how operator-friendly the bill is we would expect to see each of our top-rated online sportsbooks of 2020. Below is a list of those books and their current new player promo offer for June.
| Sportsbook | Our Grade | Promo Offer | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8Out of 10 | Up to:$500Free Bet | Get Offer |
| 9.5Out of 10 | Up to:$1,025Deposit Bonus | Get Offer |
| 9.2Out of 10 | Up to:$1,000Free Bet | Get Offer |
| 9.1Out of 10 | Up to:$1,000Deposit Bonus | Get Offer |
| 8.7Out of 10 | Up to:$500Deposit Bonus | Get Offer |
| 8.5Out of 10 | Up to:$1,000Free Bet | Get Offer |
| 7.8Out of 10 | Up to:$250Free Bet | Get Offer |
How do we know all of these sportsbooks will enter the Virginia market when it officially opens up in December? If you compare the Virginia sports betting law with those of other states, it compares favorably to Colorado where we saw nearly every major domestic sportsbook enter the market.
As of June 26, it appears the only real threat facing the Virginia sports betting market is COVID-19. If for some reason the second round of COVID is strong enough to delay or even cancel the 2020 NFL season, we could be looking at sportsbooks that are scrambling to reduce overhead through the end of the year.
That being said, if we do get an NFL season, expect to see the Virginia sports betting market as the next US state to see an influx of mobile sportsbooks.
Virginia Sports Betting FAQ’s
Below are answers to the most popular questions we get surrounding the Virginia sports betting market. Virginia should be a fairly straight-forward launch for sportsbooks, as many of their policies mirror what we saw in other states. That being said, as with any state, there are some unique rules that are specific to Virginia residents and visitors.
Is sports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, sports betting is officially legal in the state of Virginia. That being said, sportsbooks will not be allowed to ‘go live’ until December 2020.
Will mobile sports betting be legal in Virginia?
Yes, mobile betting will be legal in Virginia, in fact, we could see as many as 16 mobile sportsbooks enter the market by 2021.
What restrictions are in place in Virginia?
There are several rules that Virginia bettors should be aware of. The first is that wagering on the state’s college teams will not be allowed. Not only will this include games featuring the state’s colleges (Virginia, Va Tech, VCU, Liberty…) but will also include tournaments these teams are competing in (March Madness).
Where can I bet on sports in Virginia?
As we mentioned earlier, mobile betting is legal in Virginia, so you will be able to bet anywhere. One interesting note here, however, is that the law allows for legal sports betting in one professional sports stadium. Early speculation is that the state is going to make a run at a new location for the Washington Redskins and a sportsbook would certainly help their cause.
So will there be any brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Virginia at launch?
This seems unlikely in the near future, but there are five cities currently allowed to explore building a casino and sportsbook. We would expect each of them to jump at the opportunity, but these would clearly be long-term projects. Those cities include Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Richmond. A decision from each of these cities voters are expected in November.
Is live betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, live betting will be available in Virginia on any sportsbook that offers it. Obviously, the state’s college teams will not be eligible for live betting.
