Virginia Sports Betting – Best VA Online Sportsbooks & $5,000+ in Bonus!

Virginia sports betting continues to thrive in the Old Dominion State. Residents of the Commonwealth can enjoy whole sports betting access through sports betting apps and online betting sites. Virginia doesn’t have any physical casinos.

This guide will review the five best Virginia sports betting sites and explain everything you need to know about sports betting in Virginia. We also compare Virginia’s online sports gambling to neighboring states. 

Timeline: Legal Virginia Sports Betting Movements

Since so much has changed in the Virginia online sports betting landscape in recent years, let’s review the timeline of recent events:

• 2022 (April 1st): Virginia’s sportsbooks tallied over $400 million in the month of February alone.
• 2022 (March 31st): The Hard Rock Sportsbook goes live in Virginia. Hard Rock is opening a land-based casino in Bristol, Virginia this July.
• 2022 (February 25th): A Senate bill to overturn the ban on betting on in-state colleges dies in Virginia’s state House.
• 2022 (February 15th): A bill terminating promotional deductions by mobile betting operators after one calendar year dies in the state committee.
• 2022 (February 10th): Virginia’s Senate unanimously passed SB 96, penalizing sportsbooks and casinos for using the catchphrase “Virginia is for Bettors.”
• 2022 (February 2nd): A Virginia House committee terminates a bill that would permit betting on in-state college games.
• 2022 (January 28th): Gov. Glenn Youngkin appoints Kelly Gee to Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery.
• 2022 (January 12th): The Virginia Lottery notes that the Betway and Sports Illustrated sportsbooks, will launch by April 2022.
• 2021 (December 15th): PointsBet formally launches its Virginia-based app, becoming the 11th sportsbook app in Virginia.
• 2021 (November 24th): BallyBet becomes the 10th sportsbook app to open in Virginia.
• 2021 (November 23rd): PointsBet procures one of the five remaining sports betting licenses in the Commonwealth.
• 2021 (November): Richmond will vote on whether to allow a casino in the city. If successful, it would mark Virginia’s 5th under development.
• 2021 (January): Virginia officially launches sanctioned sports gambling. Prominent Daily Fantasy Sports companies like  FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and BetRivers are slated to open to Virginian bettors that month.
• 2020 (November): Voters in Norfolk, Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth approved casinos in those cities in 4 separate referendums. Casinos are expected to open in 2023.
• 2020 (April): The Virginia legislature legalized physical and online sports betting in Virginia after the success of historical horse racing in the state became clear.
• 2020 (March): The Virginia legislature voted to allow casinos in 5 cities that meet the criteria for poverty and population loss. Eligible cities would be required to hold a referendum before moving forward with opening casinos.
• 2018 (June): Virginia legalized historical horse racing machines, which are digital machines that let bettors wager on historical races.
• 2019 (April): Colonial Downs, Virginia’s only thoroughbred horse racing track, began holding live races again after a 6-year closure.

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The Best Sports Betting Sites Virginia List 2022

Here are the 5 best Virginia sports betting online sites for 2022:

1. BetOnline – Best Virginia sports betting online site overall 2022
2. BetUS – Virginia sportsbook with biggest bonuses
3. MyBookie – Virginia sportsbook best for Bitcoin promos
4. Bovada –  Best sports betting app in Virginia
5. XBet – Best new Virginia sports betting site

Best Sportsbooks in Virginia Reviewed

Want to learn more about the best Virginia sportsbooks? We’ve put together detailed reviews of our top picks:

1. BetOnline – Best Virginia Sports Betting Online Site Overall 2022

One of the best sports betting Virginia sites around, BetOnline is one of the longest established sportsbooks, as it was founded in 2001. We can instantly see why this VA sports site is so appealing, you can wager on a huge range of sports, it offers extremely competitive promotions, and is known for speedy payouts.

The main feature here is the hefty welcome bonus offer, you are able to claim up to a mammoth $1000! If this wasn’t enticing enough, there are also a range of casino, poker and cryptocurrency offers to choose from.

BetOnline also offers a vast choice of sportsbooks market. This covers the main popular sports like baseball, basketball, and soccer to horse racing, tennis, golf, and martial arts.

This top Virginia sports betting site also has a significant NBA live betting feature, so if you fancy a live in-play bet, you can do so without missing a thing. With all things considered, BetOnline is our best-recommended site for legal sports betting in Virginia.

Pros:

• • Massive welcome bonus – up to $1000!
  • Large range of sports to wager on
  • Prominent and reliable sports betting site
  • Speedy payouts

Cons:

• Doesn’t support PayPal

2. BetUS – Virginia Sportsbook with Biggest Bonuses and Promo Codes

BetUS is one of the leading online sports betting Virginia sites, founded in 1994 and supporting over 1 million clients. You can wager on a vast amount of sports, from all of the mainstays such as football, basketball, hockey, and baseball to some of the less mainstream sports like esports, table tennis, and motorsports. There’s something for everyone at BetUS.

This top VA sports betting site is by far the most generous in its promotions. If you join now with the BetUS promo code JOIN125, you can bag yourself a 125% deposit match bonus – worth up to $3,125! It’s also worth noting that this includes a combined 100% sports bonus and a 25% casino bonus, giving you even more options to bet on anything you like.

Another thing we like about BetUS is their news and analysis sections, you’ll never miss out on breaking Virginia sports betting news or the latest odds when using this VA sportsbook.

Pros:

• Largest offering of promotions and bonuses
• Excellent and responsive customer service
• Latest sports and gambling news and articles

Cons:

• Low Esports coverage

3. MyBookie – Best Virginia Sports Betting App

MyBookie is another popular sports betting Virginia site popular among bettors. It has an impressive mobile platform and is well established as of the best Virginia sports betting apps available since, though not technically an app, it works seamlessly on your browser.

As well as covering a hefty amount of sports, the bookie also has a great ‘Top Bets’ feature, enabling bettors to get great insights and look at the top betting picks. With a good mixture of wager options, you can place your bets on all major sports such as the NFL, NCAA, NBA, hockey, motorsports, and much more, including the Olympics.

This popular VA sportsbook also offers a generous promo of a 100% deposit match bonus of up to $1,000, much like BetOnline. However, if Bitcoin is your preference then we’ve got you covered as there is a great bitcoin promo with a bonus of up to $1000 at MyBookie, too!

Pros:

• Excellent mobile app platform
• Multiple sports and promo offers available
• Supports crypto payments

Cons:

• Small choice of Esports

4. Bovada – Best Virginia Sportsbook for Bitcoin Promos

Bovada is one of the largest sports betting sites around. It too offers all of the popular mainstream sports as well as a good selection of Esports. Bovada has a great HD live streaming service to support live betting so that you can place in-game wagers in real-time.

If you’re looking for a sportsbook that offers a large range of promotions, then Bovada is the one for you. Their offer is a generous $1,000 deposit match bonus for all new bettors, which you can claim now with the Bovada promo code BVD1000.

Bovada also offers an immense 75% up to $750 bitcoin bonus, one of the largest around. With the big bitcoin bonuses and fast crypto payouts, Bovada is one of the best bitcoin betting sites available in Virginia right now.

Pros:

• Top bitcoin offers
• Live betting and streaming service
• Comprehensive sports coverage

Cons:

• No bonus available for cash deposits

5. XBet – Best New Virginia Sports Betting Site

Last but not least, another top sportsbook worth considering is XBet, one of the most popular new betting sites in Virginia. Their sign-up bonus is up to $500 which is lower when compared to others but this sports betting site shouldn’t be overlooked.

XBet offers a tempting refer a friend promotion with unlimited $100 bonuses on offer, on top of that you can claim up to a 7% daily cash rebate when you wager on races on qualifying tracks, and it’s paid daily too!

The bookie also has an all-new, state-of-the-art betting app, which allows you to place live bets on the go! Making it popular for Virginia mobile sports betting,  XBet is also renowned for its customer support, which is available 24/7.

When it comes to payment and withdrawals, there are a good variety of supported methods such as popular cryptocurrencies Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin, as well as credit or debit cards. All of which come with fast payout times!

Pros:

• Unlimited 100% referral bonuses
• Fast payouts and extensive payment options
• Impressive betting app

Cons:

• Smaller sign-up bonus than others

More on gambling in Virginia…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Virginia our expert guides below:

• Virginia Real Money Online Casinos
• Virginia Online Poker
• Virginia Online Gambling
• Virginia Horse Racing

Virginia Sportsbooks Comparison List

To help you decide which Virginia online sports betting platform is right for you, we’ve put together a handy Virginia sportsbook comparison table, with the latest promo codes and welcome bonuses:

Who can Bet on Sports in Virginia?

Virginia doesn’t have any land-based casinos at this time, but that is subject to change. Virginians can now travel to a legal sports betting state or use one of the Commonwealth’s legal sports betting apps.

Another possibility is signing up for offshore sportsbooks like the ones listed in this article. Just remember that Virginians must be at least 21 years old to do so.

How to Bet on Sports in Virginia

Virginians have no shortage of betting apps in the state and offshore sportsbooks to make their bets. We highlight how the Old Dominion State residents can swiftly make their sports wagers.

1. Take the Time to Read the Sportsbook’s Rules

By in large, betting sites operate with the same framework of rules and operations. But, we highly recommend Virginians take the time to understand their chosen sportsbook’s rules and terms.

Maintaining your account in good standing goes a long way to keep receiving lucrative sports bonuses and a chance to rack up sports gambling winnings. Betting sites like BetOnline keep their rules and terms and conditions links in the footer.

2. Register at The Sportsbook

When you are ready to join a sports betting site, the registration process is straightforward. Our elite offshore sportsbooks all offer a user-friendly registration system. This process only takes minutes with a reliable internet connection. Typically, you can find the registration or join button at the top of the screen.

3. Know Your Sports Bet

Online betting sites have many sports betting options to meet their members’ needs. But before you make that deposit and fill out that bet slip, we strongly recommend that you brush up on the different sports bets. BetOnline for example, offers live bets, multiple parlay bets, Moneyline bets, and more.

4. Determine your Bankroll

Sports gambling can be rewarding, fun and addicting. We recommend that you determine beforehand your limits so you can keep your wagers under control.

5. Make the Deposit

Online betting sites feature multiple banking options for their members to get into the game swiftly. Virginians can deposit with credit cards, cryptocurrencies, wire transfer services, and perhaps eWallets depending on the sportsbook.

6. Redeem One of the Awesome Sports Promotions

Virginians have access to some potent sports promotions to swing the winning bet in their favor. Our distinguished sportsbooks have sports welcome bonuses, reloads, horse racing bets, and seasonal contests. In addition, BetOnline and Bovada offer extensive crypto sports bonuses.

7. Fill Out the Bet Slip

Offshore sportsbooks feature interactive betting slips. When you are ready to place your particular bet, like hedge bets and underdog wagers, you select that along with the amount on the bet slip. In addition, betting sites have sports glossaries to help you best calculate bets with the latest odds. Also, you can review your entire bet history. 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia?

Sports betting was legalized in Virginia in April 2020 and officially launched at the beginning of 2021. Currently, 11 online sportsbooks are operating in the state, and several more are slated to launch later this year.

While both online and in-person sports betting were legalized, only online sports betting is available in Virginia right now.

This is because casinos were only legalized in the state in 2020, and none have yet been built. It’s expected that casinos will open in five of Virginia’s biggest cities – Norfolk, Bristol, Richmond, Danville, and Portsmouth. These same casinos are expected to host retail sportsbooks once they launch.

It’s worth noting that while online sports betting and off-track horse betting are legal, betting on in-state college games is still prohibited. However, there is legislation in the works to allow for bets on their state college teams without going to an offshore betting site.

When will Betting be Legal in Virginia?

Betting in Virginia is already legal. The state passed swooping legislation in 2020 to sanction sports gambling. The caveats are Virginians can only do it online, and they can’t gamble on Virginia’s college teams. For that, they must rely on sports betting sites like the ones mentioned in this article.

April 2020, the Year Sports Betting Became Legal in Virginia

Virginia’s State legislature approved state-wide sports betting, and the bill was signed into law by former Governor Ralph Northam. At this moment, there are no physical casinos/bookmakers currently ready to accept retail sports bets though.

Supporters

Prominent sportsbook apps like BetMGM are capitalizing mightily on sanctioned sports gambling in the Commonwealth. This is also true for titan Daily Fantasy Sports companies like DraftKings.

Opponents

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has cast doubts about opening a casino in Richmond. According to his office – “He voted against the casino proposal. He believes there are better ways to enhance economic development in Richmond.”

Previous Sports Betting Bills in Virginia

The Old Dominion State didn’t procrastinate to bring organized sports gambling to its residents in 2020. We highlight the key bills for you.

2022

• SJR24 – One of two bills submitted to the state legislature to create a gaming commission committee to oversee sports betting in Virginia
• HJR63 – Accompanies bill SJR24 to further create a commission to oversee Virginia’s sports gambling
• House Bill 1103 – Would prohibit sportsbook operators from excluding promotions and bonuses from taxable revenue during the first 12 months
• SB96 – A bill that bans gaming business from using the slogan “Virginia is for Bettors”

2020

• HB896 – A bill directing Virginia’s Lottery to regulate sports gambling
• SB384 – An identical bill to HB896 that also calls for the Virginia Lottery to regulate sports betting

Tax on Sports Betting Winnings in Virginia

Virginia sports betting winnings must be reported on state and federal taxes. The income tax rate is usually 2-5%.

Virginians only have to report net winnings. However, you can’t offset gambling losses against other income to reduce your taxes if you lose money while betting on sports.

Payment Methods available at Virginia Betting Sites

Real sports bet winnings require real money. Offshore sportsbooks avail many payment methods to their members. The normal methods include credit cards and debit cards, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and eWallets. Most betting sites also have wire transfer and money transfer services.

Crypto Betting Options

Bitcoin is a prominent payment for sportsbooks in Virginia. Elite betting sites like Bovada and BetOnline, our number one ranked site, feature extensive crypto promotions. It is also common to have Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and several others.

eWallet Betting Options

eWallets like Neteller and Skrill are also widely available at offshore sportsbooks. Bovada offers these plus PayPal to help Virginian sports fans place their bets. Setting up an eWallet is free and only requires an email account and financing.

Traditional Payment Methods at Virginia Betting Sites

While you’re free to use crypto, the payment bedrock for sports betting is the credit card. Visa and MasterCard are the usual options, but betting sites like BetOnline and Bovada also offer American Express and Discover Card. After registration, we recommend submitting a credit authorization form to the cashier so you can use credit cards.

Bonuses Available at Virginia Sportsbooks

Virginians can place a slew of sports bets at their preferred sportsbook betting site. Remember, there are many sports promotions for new members and all members. We highlight the common sports bets at your disposal.

The Sports Welcome

New sportsbook members are greeted with a bountiful sports welcome bonus. Our touted betting sites all offer competitive sports welcomes. Bovada extends a $250 welcome. BetOnline delivers a 50% matching bonus up to $1,000.

The Sports Reload Prize

All offshore sportsbook members have access to a sports reload or a sports rebate prize. These bonuses are designed to keep members placing bets, especially if they’ve racked up enough losses. BetOnline has a 25% sports reload package.

Horse Racing Rewards

Racetracks are a fixture at betting sites. Like sportsbooks, betting sites like XBet and BetOnline offer a horse rebate prize. The horse rebate awards members a percentage of losses. BetOnline, our top choice, has a 9% daily horse rebate and a $25 risk-free bet. The risk-free bet applies to a member’s first bet on a horse racing meet.

Crypto Bonuses

In addition to offering several cryptocurrencies, offshore sportsbooks offer crypto bonuses like the ones featured here. Bovada, for example, has a $750 welcome bonus using Bitcoin.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Virginia

The Old Dominion State is a powerhouse for college sports, in particular college football. If you are planning on betting on in-state college teams, Virginians must rely on an offshore sportsbook. We highlight the top sports for Virginians to bet on.

Catch the Winning Touchdown with NFL Betting

Virginians can get in on the fabulous NFL betting on sanctioned sportsbook apps and from our partner betting sites. We are strong on BetOnline through its player props bets, teasers, and sophisticated live betting feature.

Virginia doesn’t have a professional NFL team. Due to its proximity to Washington D.C, Virginians can root and gamble on the Washington Commanders.

Shoot and Score with Fantastic NBA Bets

Residents of the Commonwealth can make several NBA bets on their favorite team. During playoff season, prominent sportsbooks like BetOnline offer NBA contests like the NBA Finals.

Despite being the 12th most populated state in the union, Virginia doesn’t have a NBA team. Virginians can support and gamble on the Washington Wizards.

Get a Base Hit with MLB Betting

The Old Dominion State permits Virginians to gamble on their favorite Major League Baseball team. We highly recommend Virginians register with BetOnline to cash in on their sports bets. BetOnline offers Moneyline bets and different spread betting options.

Virginia doesn’t currently have a Major League Baseball team, This doesn’t stop Virginians from placing wagers on their favorite teams, including the neighboring Washington Nationals.

Score the Puck with NHL Sports Gambling

Virginians can choose any of our listed betting sites to place many rewarding NHL bets. Premier sportsbooks like BetOnline offer NHL future bets, and several European leagues to gamble on.

At this moment, Virginia doesn’t have a professional hockey team.

Rebound with the Winning NCAA Basketball Wager

While the Commonwealth doesn’t have any professional teams, it is rich in college basketball history. If you live in Virginia and plan to place bets on college teams in your state, you must do so at an offshore sportsbook. We recommend BetOnline, and we list the major college basketball teams in Virginia.

• University of Virginia – The Cavaliers compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and are the alma mater of former NBA great Ralph Sampson
• Virginia Military Institute – The Keydets are reputable college program in the American East Conference
• University of Richmond – The Spiders compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference
• College of William & Mary – Virginians can bet on the unheralded Tribe basketball team
• George Mason – The Patriots play out of Fairfax, Virginia
• Hampton University – The Pirates are rivals with Norfolk State University
• James Madison University – The Dukes present a solid option for Virginia sports bets
• Liberty University – The Flames have produced many NBA players
• Norfolk State University – A historically black college and in-state rival of Hampton University
• Old Dominion University – The Monarchs play in Norfolk, Virginia
• Virginia Tech University – The Hokies basketball team have 11 NCAA tournament appearances

During March Madness, our partner betting sites feature tournament bracket contests. In addition, these same colleges and betting sites allow wagers on women’s college basketball.

Tackle the Winning Sports Bet with College Football

Virginians can enjoy watching and gambling on college football at our esteemed betting sites. We ride high with BetOnline to place various college football bets. BetOnline allows Virginians to get on the next FBS champion and the Heisman winner.

We highlight the illustrious college football teams in Virginia.

• University of Virginia – The Cavaliers are 8-13 in bowl games
• College of William & Mary – The Tribe gives Virginians reliable betting options
• Hampton University – The Pirates compete in the Big South Conference
• James Madison University – The Dukes play in the Sunbelt Conference
• Liberty University – The Flames have three consecutive FBS bowl appearances
• Norfolk State University – The Spartans compete in the Football Championship Subdivision
• Old Dominion University – The Monarchs will play in the Sunbelt Conference in 2022
• University of Richmond – The Spiders football team are rivals with College of William & Mary
• Virginia Military Institute – The football program dates back to 1891
• Virginia Tech University – The Hokies is the alma mater of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick

Get on Par with Golf Bets

Virginia offers state golf tournaments to get into the golf betting game. BetOnline currently has golf contest promotions to bolster your wins during the Masters and the PGA action from the Middle Atlantic.

Gallop to the finish line with Horse Racing Wagers

Virginians also have access to all the premier horse race gambling action. Our betting sites feature competitive horse racing tracks. BetOnline offers extensive daily tracks, horse racing glossaries and access to national races like the Kentucky Derby.

In-person and off-track betting in Virginia have been legal for decades. However, there wasn’t much opportunity to bet on racing in the state after Colonial Downs, Virginia’s only thoroughbred horse track, closed its doors in 2014.

• Colonial Downs – Operates in New Kent, Virginia. It only accepts off-track horse racing bets.

Bet on Your Dream Lineup

When Virginia officially legalized sports gambling, Daily Fantasy Sports companies like FanDuel were the first to open sportsbooks in the Commonwealth. Here are some of the notable Daily Fantasy Sportsbooks in Virginia.

• DraftKings – Enjoys a large share of Virginia sports wagers
• FanDuel – One of the first sportsbooks to operate in Virginia

Live Betting with Virginia Sports Betting Sites 

Virginia sportsbook permits bets on games that are currently in progress. Betting sites have up-to-the-minute odds to help you place accurate prop bets throughout the game. We recommend BetOnline for live betting because it also offers live streaming on iPhones and Android devices.

Bets that are Illegal in Virginia?

Virginia has very few limits on what types of sports you can bet on. So you’re free to bet on the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, plus popular sports like soccer, Aussie rules football, rugby, UFC, MMA, etc.

You can also bet on college sports, although this is one area where there are some restrictions. Virginia doesn’t allow sports betting on Virginia college teams. In addition, live betting on college sports is prohibited, even if you want to bet on teams outside Virginia.

How Virginia Sports Betting Compares to Neighboring States

Virginians can enjoy competitive sports gambling within the state. Washington D.C sportbooks is another option for Virginians. Maryland sportsbooks are legal to its neighboring Virginians, and it accepts college wagers.

Residents of the Commonwealth can also turn to North Carolina sportsbooks to meet their sports gambling needs. Currently, North Carolina only has two casinos that accept sports wagers. Virginians can also head to the Volunteer State to get into the exciting Tennessee sportsbooks.

Casinos with Sports Betting in Virginia

There are currently no physical sportsbooks at Virginia casinos because there aren’t any physical casinos in the state just yet. 4 cities have approved plans to build casinos, and Richmond is holding a referendum on the topic this fall. Once the casinos are built, you can expect sportsbooks in the following cities:

• Bristol (Hard Rock Hotel and Casino)
• Danville (Caesars Casino)
• Norfolk (HeadWaters Resort & Casino)
• Portsmouth (Rivers Casino)

More on Virginia Gambling

Virginia opens the door for a slew of gambling options like poker. We highlight the essential gambling options in the Old Dominion State.

• Best online casinos in Virginia
• Online gambling in Virginia
• Online poker in Virginia

Best Online Sportsbook for Virginia

Sports betting has taken off in Virginia since it first launched in 2021. There are now over a dozen Virginia sports betting sites and physical sportsbooks and more are on the way.

Ready to start betting on sports in Virginia? Sign up with BetOnline, our number one choice to claim your $1000 welcome bonus, and place your first wager today!

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