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Virginia Sports Betting

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Located in the southeastern part of the United States. Virginia is one of the US states where people love to watch and bet on sporting events. Numerous sportsbooks in Old Dominion promise players the best sports wagering experience and offer incredible bonuses. As a VA player, you can place different bets on sporting events. These include regular options like Moneylines and totals under/over and more advanced bets like props.

This comprehensive guide will discuss all the vital things you should know about Virginia sports betting. From legality issues to limitations, we will explain whether you can bet on any sport of your choice. Besides, you will find some popular sportsbooks that offer good services in the state.

This guide will also highlight some notable dates for online sports betting in Virginia and the legality of daily fantasy sports. If you are interested to learn about all this and more, keep reading.

You may be wondering — can you legally bet on sports online in VA? Yes, you can. Online sports betting is perfectly legal in Virginia. However, that was not the situation for several years. Old Dominion used to be one of the strictest US states regarding gambling. It has restrictive laws on casino gaming, and internet gambling was outrightly illegal in the past.

Nevertheless, in March 2020, the Virginia General Assembly and Senate passed two bills to legalize sports betting — SB 384 and HB 896. The previous governor, Ralph Northam, amended those bills and sent them back to lawmakers. By April 22, 2020, the bills were signed and approved, which led to the legalization of sports betting in Virginia.

Once online gambling sites became legal in the state, sportsbooks all over the country started applying for a license. It was not until January that the first set of sports betting sites received their license. FanDuel was the first to go live and accept online sports bets. Today, there are around 14 legal sportsbooks in Virginia, covering sports like soccer, football, basketball, and hockey.

Sports Betting Limitations in Old Dominion

As with every US state with legal sports betting, there are some restrictions that bettors need to know when betting on sporting events in VA. First, you must be at least 21 years old to bet legally on sports, and you must also be within the walls of the state. Apart from that, betting on VA college teams is not allowed. However, you can bet on other collegiate games outside of Virginia, and there is no restriction to wagering on professional sports like the MLS, NBA, NHL, and NFL.

Another thing to note is that gambling laws do not approve of live betting on collegiate sports. Besides, proposition wagers on unsportsmanlike conduct like injury, first foul, and others are not allowed. Bettors also cannot wager on the outcome of subjective awards or drafts (in the NFL, NBA, MLS, and NHL). This explains why you may not find the option at top sportsbooks in Virginia.

Apart from these limitations, the state’s gambling laws allow every other bet. You can place bets as singles, teasers, combinations, and accumulators. But be aware that VA bettors must pay taxes on gambling winnings over $600.

Top Sports Betting Sites in VA

Since the legalization of sports betting in Old Dominion, several sportsbooks have been trooping in, claiming to be the best. However, if you truly want to enjoy a great experience gambling on sports, you must choose only the top gambling platforms. Here are a few of Virginia’s best sports wagering sites.

BetMGM Virginia

If you want to enjoy legal sports betting in VA, BetMGM is one of the best sportsbooks to consider. It is owned by MGM Resorts International and features over 30 sports, such as soccer, basketball, football, and hockey. Whether you love betting on professional sporting events such as the NBA and NFL, or you prefer wagering on collegiate events in the NCAA, you will find plenty of options here. Besides that, the operator is known to offer VA players numerous fantastic bonuses and promotions, and the payout times here are pretty fast. You can access the BetMGM sportsbook on both desktop and mobile devices.

BetRivers Virginia

Another top-rated online sportsbook in Virginia is BetRivers. It is owned by Rush Street Interactive, one of the leading gambling brands in the US. The gambling platform has become a haven for VA players seeking the best sports betting experience. Over 15 sports are available to bet on here, and the odds are pretty competitive, with plenty of legal markets available to bettors. You can place regular bets like Moneylines or special bets like prop bets. Besides, BetRivers has a fantastic live betting platform. Bettors can wager on in-play events and take advantage of the volatility in the odds.

FanDuel Virginia

While FanDuel is famous as a fantasy sports betting platform, it is also a prominent online sportsbook. There is plenty to enjoy here, from the 15+ sports covered to the incredible bonuses that newbies and regular players can take advantage of. Besides, FanDuel has a downloadable mobile app for iOS and Android devices, so playing on the go is never an issue. Another great feature of this VA sports site is the variety of safe and popular banking options that you can use to deposit and withdraw winnings. The operator accepts PayPal, ACH e-Check, PayNearMe, and other notable options. It also processes payouts quickly.

PointsBet Virginia

Owned by PointsBet Holdings Limited, PointsBet is a top-rated online sportsbook that operates in Virginia and partners with Colonial Downs. The gambling site features more than 15 sports that VA bettors and sports enthusiasts can wager their money on and enjoy high odds. Several things make the operator unique. It has a Name-A-Bet feature and a Points Betting feature where players can stand a chance to win more. As a player at PointsBet in Virginia, you will enjoy 24/7 quality customer support through live chat and email. You can also take advantage of the operator’s impressive bonuses and offers, including booster odds and free bets.

Unibet Virginia

Although Unibet has been around since 1997, it was not until 2021 that the brand entered the Virginia sports betting market. The platform is well-designed and easy to navigate, offering a great user experience. You will enjoy placing regular parlays and taking advantage of profit boosts. Unibet features major and minor events in around 20 sports, including those popular in Old Dominion. You can bet on games in the NCAA right from your mobile device without any issue. Another standout feature of the sportsbook is its solid live betting platform. You can bet on events currently in play and enjoy a wide range of markets and options.

Caesars Virginia

If you are familiar with the US gambling scene, you may have come across the name Caesars. Caesars sportsbook entered Virginia in 2021, following the legalization of sports betting in the state. VA bettors can wager on football, soccer, basketball, and several other sports on the betting platform. Both futures and live betting are available here, and the odds are pretty good. Besides, you will find many markets to bet on, including regular ones like Moneylines and advanced ones like points spread and props.

Notable Dates for Online Sports Betting in VA

A lot has happened on the route of legalizing sports betting online in Virginia. For so long, most forms of gambling were illegal in Old Dominion, making it one of the strictest states when it comes to gambling. However, the gambling laws became a bit softer with time, leading to the legalization of online and mobile sports betting in 2020.

Here are some notable dates for online sports betting in Virginia.

  • 1973: The first law regarding charitable gambling was instituted, which gave local governments the responsibility to oversee all activities. However, in 1995, this responsibility was allocated to another authority.
  • 1987: State lottery became legalized in Virginia, and profits made from it were exclusively meant to be used on the state’s education.
  • 1988: The first lottery ticket was sold.
  • 1989: The lawmakers created the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) that handles pari-mutuel racing betting out of the state.
  • 1995: A bill was created to legalize riverboat gambling but failed to pass.
  • 1997: Colonial Downs was founded, and it was the first race track in Virginia.
  • 2003: The VRC was assigned the responsibility of managing off-track betting facilities.
  • 2004: Betting kiosks for horse betting were implemented for the first time. These kiosks have machines called EZ betting terminals that bettors can use to place their horse betting wagers.
  • 2013: Another attempt was made to legalize riverboard gambling, but it also failed.
  • 2020: Lawmakers in VA passed the SB 384 and HB 896 bills, later amended and signed into law. The passing and signing of the bills led to the legalization of online and mobile sports betting in Old Dominion.
  • 2021: Sports betting goes live in Virginia.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in VA?

Like every US state where sports betting is legal, a body oversees all sports betting activity in Virginia. This regulatory body is the Virginia Lottery. Apart from issuing licenses, the VA Lottery has other responsibilities. These include auditing sportsbooks in the USA and ensuring gaming operators, suppliers, and stakeholders comply with the rules and regulations.

To know if a sportsbook in VA has a license from the Virginia Lottery, check the footer of its website or ask customer support. Most operators are always happy to provide players with their licensing details. You can also check the regulatory body’s website to see the list of sports betting operators that already hold an approved permit. If a particular sports wagering site is not on the list on the VA Lottery’s site, it is likely an unlicensed sportsbook, and you should avoid playing there.

Can You Bet on Daily Fantasy Sports in Virginia?

Surprisingly, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) betting has been legal long before online sports betting became legal in Virginia. In 2016, the Legislature passed the Fantasy Sports Act. This act made DFS legal and provided regulations guiding the activities and operators.

To bet on DFS in Old Dominion, you must be at least 18 years old. Every operator must register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services before they can be allowed to run a DFS contest. The popular DFS contests available to VA bettors include NBA, MLS, and NFL.

FAQ

How old do I need to be to bet on sports in Virginia?

To legally bet on sports in Old Dominion, you must be at least 21 years old. This explains why top VA gambling platforms require that players provide their date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN) when creating an account. Apart from being of legal age, the state's gambling laws require that players be within the walls of VA to bet legally.

Do I pay taxes on sports betting wins in VA?

Yes, you do. Tax on gambling winnings is treated as income tax. For winnings over $600, you must report it, and the state will charge you the tax based on the amount you won, between 2% to 5.75%. Apart from the state's tax, all gambling winnings over $5,000 in the US are subject to federal income tax withholding of 24%. You must report your winnings appropriately in Form W-2G and Form 1040 to avoid issues with the IRS. To get Form W-2G, contact your sportsbook.

Can I bet on horses online in Virginia?

Yes, you can. Online horse racing betting became legal in Old Dominion with the legalization of online sports betting. You can bet on horse racing events at top gambling sites and place different bets, such as the standard Win, Place and Show bets and exotic wagers like Exacta, Superfecta, and Trifecta.