Sports Betting in Virginia - Best Sportsbooks

Online sports betting has taken off across the country, and Virginia is no exception. 

Since launching in 2021, the state’s betting market has grown steadily, with major sportsbooks now available. 

Here are the online betting sites we think you should try

New sportsbooks continue to enter the Virginia market, so bettors have plenty of options. As these partners come in, we'll add them to the site.

Rules and regulations for betting in Virginia

Virginia started as an online-only sports betting market, but that’s changed with the arrival of retail sportsbooks. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol was the first to open, and more locations are expected to follow.

To place a bet, you must be at least 21 years old and physically located in Virginia—but you don’t have to be a resident. However, wagering on in-state college teams is still prohibited, meaning you can’t bet on the Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, or any other Virginia-based college teams.

Virginia’s sports betting regulations were modeled after other states with established markets, and lawmakers continue refining the industry to ensure fair and responsible gambling.

Who do Virginians bet on?

Virginia doesn’t have any major pro teams, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of sports fandom. Bettors in the state typically follow teams from Washington D.C., Maryland, and North Carolina, including:

• NFL: Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens
• NBA: Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets
• MLB: Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles
• NHL: Washington Capitals

Despite the college sports betting restrictions, March Madness and major NCAA games still attract a lot of action on teams outside the state.

Tips for first-time bettors

Getting into sports betting can feel overwhelming, but these tips can help us new bettors get started:

• Manage your bankroll. Set a budget before placing bets and only wager what you can afford to lose.
• Understand betting markets. Different bets come with different levels of risks (and payouts). Learn about spreads, moneylines, totals, and prop bets to diversify your wagers.
• Use betting insights. Following expert picks and analysis can help, but always do your own research before making a bet.
• Stay up to date. Odds and lines change based on injuries, team performance, and betting trends. Keep an eye on movement before placing bets.

Read these articles to understand the basics of sports betting:

1. Setting a budget
2. How odds work
3. Moneyline betting
4. Spread betting
5. Totals (over/under)

A look at Virginia’s betting history

Virginia wasn’t exactly a gambling-friendly state before 2021. While the state has a long history with horse racing, it wasn’t until 2021 that online sports betting was legalized.

Unlike some states that built sports betting around casinos, Virginia initially launched without any physical sportsbooks. The goal was to get betting off the ground quickly, following the success of Tennessee’s mobile-only model.

Since then, Virginia’s betting handle has grown significantly, surpassing $734 million in December 2024 alone—a 16% increase from the previous year.

The state is also working on expanding casino gambling, with cities like Bristol and Portsmouth already opening casino locations. Meanwhile, Richmond voters have continued to debate whether to approve a casino in their city.

The road to legalization

Virginia took a more cautious approach than some other states when it came to legalizing sports betting. After the federal ban on sports betting was lifted in 2018, lawmakers formed a commission to evaluate its potential impact.

By 2020, legislation was passed, and Virginia’s first online sportsbooks launched in January 2021. The industry has been a success, leading to new proposals for allowing betting on in-state college teams, though that change has yet to pass.

As Virginia’s market continues to grow, more sportsbooks, retail betting options, and potential regulatory updates are expected.