Online Sports Betting in Virginia
Published: | Updated:After launching in January 2021, sports betting in Virginia is both live and legal. Users have a wide variety of available apps to choose from, including big-name companies like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365 Caesars. Known as the “Old Dominion” state, the city of Hampton, Virginia, is the oldest continuously-inhabited English settlement in North America. Virginia is also well known for being the largest seafood producer on the East Coast. Virginia oysters are delicious (!) and found in eight different regions in the Chesapeake Bay.
The birthplace of several American founding fathers, Virginia was once home to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. A major producer of agricultural goods, you can count peanuts, tobacco, and wine among Virginia’s best-known products. Virginia is also home to many modern-day celebrities, including actress Sandra Bullock, musician Pharrell Williams, and gymnast Gabby Douglas.
What’s the big news in Virginia sports betting now?
The biggest piece of news to come out of Virginia sports betting actually involves a player for Washington (D.C.) Commanders. Defensive end Shaka Toney was suspended for the entirety of the upcoming 2023 NFL season for violating the league’s rules on gambling. It is widely suspected that Toney’s ban comes from placing wagers on NFL games.
Comparing the best sportsbook apps in Virginia
Both FanDuel and DraftKings offer the best available wagers for the four major American sports leagues. FanDuel is also a partner for the nearby Washington Commanders.
BetMGM offers an incredibly deep lineup of sports betting offers, including snooker, tennis, and MMA wagers to be made. They also offer an Edit My Bet functionality that allows bettors to substitute teams, increase bets or add legs to existing wagers.
If you’re looking for extensive promotional programs and deals, look no further than Caesars and BetRivers. Those two feature some of the most well-known, recognizable loyalty programs that you’ll find in the United States in Caesars Rewards and iRush.
Some Quick Facts about sports betting in Virginia
- Virginia is one of only a few states that launched as a purely online market.
- Sports betting remains online, for now, though there are casinos under construction and plans for retail locations.
- Virginia law permits a total of 18 sportsbook licenses.
- The law includes a unique provision for a relocating sports team to acquire a license.
- You must be 21+ to place wagers in-state.
Five cities were designated as potential casino locations, but Richmond actually declined to allow a venue inside city limits.
Five cities were designated as potential casino locations, but Richmond actually declined to allow a venue inside city limits.Most Popular Sports Teams in Virginia
One’s fandom is usually based on geographic location, and Virginia is no different. The presence of nearby Washington, D.C., draws many fans’ sports allegiances there. Depending on where you live in the state, you’ll also find fans of teams in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Maryland as well.
For bettors, these are likely to be your top teams:
- Washington: Commanders (NFL); Capitals (NHL); Wizards (NBA); Nationals (MLB)
- Tennessee / Memphis: Titans (NFL); Grizzles (NBA); Predators (NHL)
- Carolina: Panthers (NFL); Hurricanes (NHL)
- Charlotte: Hornets (NBA)
- Atlanta: Braves (MLB); Falcons (NFL); Hawks (NBA)
- Baltimore: Orioles (MLB); Ravens (NFL)
Those four American sports leagues are the top betting options, though sportsbooks in-state also offer options for MLS as well. The DC United remains a top draw.
From a collegiate perspective, Virginia is host to some of the top teams in college athletics.
- The University of Virginia is regarded as the best college athletics program in the state, with many national champions across a wide host of sports. They’ve won some recently as well, including men’s tennis, women’s swimming, and men’s lacrosse.
- James Madison University
- Richmond University
- Liberty University
- Old Dominion University
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- Norfolk State University
- Virginia Tech (despite their constant placement as a top athletic school in-state, they’ve never won a national championship)
Most Popular Athletes from Virginia
- Arthur Ashe (3x Grand Slam singles champion, 2x Grand Slam doubles champion, and first African-American to win an NCAA singles title)
- Gabby Douglas (3x Olympic gold medalist in Gymnastics, 2x World Championships gold medalist)
- Allen Iverson (NBA MVP, 11x All-Star, 3x All-NBA First Team, #3 jersey retired by the 76ers)
- Secretariat (1973 Triple Crown winner, career record of 16-3-1)
- Michael Vick (#1 overall draft pick in 2001, 4x Pro Bowler, NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2010)
- Bruce Smith (NFL Hall of Famer, 2x DPOY, 8x First-Team All-Pro, 12x Pro Bowler)
- Tiki Barber (2005 First-Team All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowler, #21 jersey retired by UVA)
- Ronde Barber (NFL Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, 3x First-Team All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowler, #19 jersey retired by UVA)
- Russell Wilson (Super Bowl Champion, 9x Pro Bowler)
- Justin Verlander (9x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion, 2011 AL MVP, 3x Cy Young winner, 2011 Triple Crown winner)
- Alonzo Mourning (NBA Champion and Basketball Hall of Famer, 7x All-Star, 2x DPOY)
- Moses Malone (NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star)
- Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (3x NCAA Team Champion, 2017 NCAA Singles Champion at UVA)
