Best Virginia Sports Betting: Top Legal Sportsbooks and Betting Apps

Top 6 Virginia sports betting apps reviewed

With a flourishing market of 11 legal Virginia online sportsbooks, selecting the top sports betting apps can be overwhelming. We have carefully narrowed the options to simplify the process and have rigorously evaluated each app.

We have identified the top five legal Virginia sports betting apps that excel in user experience, features, and overall performance through extensive testing, including downloads, registrations, verifying Virginia sportsbook promos, and other thorough assessments.

1. bet365 Virginia 🟢

bet365 was founded over 20 years ago in the United Kingdom and is among the world’s most popular and well-respected international online sportsbooks.

Virginia betting promos don’t get much better than this for sports fans looking for an inexpensive entry point. When you make your first deposit and wager $5 or more on the game, your account will be awarded $200 in bonus bets regardless of whether your initial bet wins or loses. Remember: Use bet365 bonus code SBRBONUS during registration.

bet365 also has a second welcome bonus option for those who prefer first bet offer offers — a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net. Place your initial wager of any amount on any sports market, and should you lose, bet365 will return your stake, up to $1,000, in bonus bets. You can only claim the bet365 welcome bonus in the mobile app.

Check out our detailed bet365 review for more information.

2. BetMGM Virginia 🦁

Being known as a highly reputable brand worldwide, BetMGM brings its expertise and reliability to the Virginia online sports betting market. The app provides a seamless and user-friendly interface, ensuring ease of use across desktop and mobile platforms. BetMGM stands out with its variety of sports markets and betting options, catering to the preferences of a wide range of users. 

The app offers the advantage of free live streaming, allowing users to watch any game directly on the platform. The welcome offer is equally enticing. New customers can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses — use the BetMGM promo code SBRBONUS when you register. 

With impressive features and an attractive welcome offer, the BetMGM Virginia betting app proves to be a top choice for sports betting enthusiasts. Give our full BetMGM review a look for more details.

3. Fanatics Virginia 🧢

Fanatics Sportsbook came about after acquiring PointsBet’s U.S. operations in mid-2023. Before that, Fanatics was mostly known as North America's largest online sports apparel and merchandise retailer. Now, they are trying their hand at the online betting business. 

Fanatics (formally branded as BetFanatics) has launched in 22 states now (as well as DC), with plans to expand quickly now that the PointsBet deal is complete.

The sportsbook uses Amelco's betting tech and boasts a great overall offering with a robust market range, competitive pricing, useful features like Early Cashout, live streams of NFL games, and more. 

Fanatics has also connected its sports betting product with its main sports merchandise business by linking FanCash. It's a customer loyalty program that offers a percentage of all purchases and wagers back as FanCash, which can then be used to make bonus bets or buy Fanatics merchandise. 

New users can claim one Fanatics' two welcome offers. The first is up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash. The other option is a bet $50, get $250 in FanCash.

For the primary offer, all you have to do is make an initial deposit of $10. Then place a qualifying wager of at least $1 with odds of -500 or higher. If any of your qualifying bets lose, you're eligible for a daily offer of no sweat bets in FanCash of up to $200.

You can continue betting for 10 straight days to earn the maximum of $2,000 in no sweat bets in FanCash.

In order to receive the full $250 in FanCash for the other offer, you have to risk $10 per day, five days in a row. The bets don't have to win in order to collect this offer.  

You just can't miss any of the first five days, as you can't go back and claim the bonus for those days. However, you can still claim any of the remaining five days.  

Our Fanatics Sportsbook review offers even more insight into this emerging industry powerhouse. 

4. DraftKings Virginia 👑

DraftKings is a leading player in the sports betting industry, and its Virginia betting app rightfully earns its place among the top-ranked options. The app offers a seamless and intuitive mobile experience, making it a favorite among users. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, navigating the various sports markets and placing bets is a breeze. 

What sets DraftKings apart is its generous welcome offer — one of the best sportsbook promos in the country — which permits newbies a bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets offer on an initial winning wager of $5 or more. This promotion also comes with three months of NBA League Pass.

Additionally, DK has a secondary promo on top of its main offer. You can claim a 20% deposit bonus, up to $1,000, by opting in via the DraftKings promotions page. The bonus funds come with a hefty playthrough requirement before you can withdraw it as cash. 

Among other attractive features, offers like this make DraftKings a must-have app for sports betting enthusiasts in Virginia. Read our in-depth DraftKings review or check our DraftKings promo code page for more details.

5. FanDuel Virginia 🔵

FanDuel offers competitive pricing, ensuring you get the best odds to maximize your potential winnings. Additionally, the app provides the exciting option of same-game parlays, allowing bettors to combine multiple wagers within a single game for enhanced excitement and potential payouts. 

FanDuel also stands out with its exclusive live-streaming feature — it's generally one of the top live betting sites — enabling users to watch select sports events directly on the app. Upon signing up, new users can take advantage of a special promotion: A bet $5, win $300 in bonus bets welcome offer — no FanDuel promo code required.

Read our full FanDuel review to learn more about one of the best sportsbooks on the market.

6. Caesars Virginia 🏛

The Caesars Sportsbook betting app has rightfully earned its rank among the top sportsbook apps due to its outstanding mobile features and captivating offerings. The app's sleek and user-friendly interface ensures a seamless and enjoyable betting experience. What sets Caesars apart is its distinction as the largest retail sportsbook in America, bringing vast expertise and resources to its online platform. 

Caesars boasts an elite rewards program, providing users with exclusive benefits and perks. The Caesars Sportsbook welcome offer is equally enticing, allowing new customers to get a welcome bonus of twenty 100% Profit Boost tokens with any first bet at least $1. Just use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBR20X to activate.

Head over to our full Caesars review to learn more.

Compare Virginia Sportsbook Apps

Below is a list of the top Virginia sportsbook apps and what iOS and Android users think of each operator.

How we rate and review Virginia sportsbooks

SBR’s editorial team prides itself in providing Virginia sports bettors players honest and independent reviews of all 11 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps. The SBR team of experts focuses most of its attention on the following six categories. Remember, this is only a guide, and the individual player may prioritize one sportsbook feature over another. Still, it also helps provide insight into how SBR generates its ratings and rankings of each operator.

Welcome bonuses and promotions 💰

We want each potential Virginia bettor to know about each sportsbook’s latest welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions. While the sign-up offers are great, many are First Bet Offer, which is not guaranteed funds if your first bet wins. So, operators must continue enticing new players with solid promos within the app after the honeymoon period. This includes boosted odds, reduced juice, unique same-game parlays, exclusive offers, and loyalty reward programs.

User experience 📱

The user experience can be defined in many ways. Still, Virginia bettors should prioritize things like how easy is the sign-up process, does the operator I like offer the banking method that suits my needs, is the app and online sportsbook easy to navigate, does live streaming video work all the time, do they offer live video streaming of select events, does the geotagging location software work or do I get locked out when I’m inside Virginia state borders, does the app crash too often, how secure is my data and how accessible is the customer support team.

Sports bet variety 🏈🏀⚾

Once the fresh shine of an online sportsbook wears off, veteran bettors may want to look beyond the big four sports leagues — NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL — and expand their horizons with interests in professional golf, European soccer, major tennis tournaments, and the UFC. Online sportsbooks in Virginia must offer a wide variety of sports betting markets. They can’t rest on their laurels that the NFL will carry the proverbial torch for every bettor. Sometimes bettors can find odds value in unique places, typically in individual betting markets outside the United States.

Banking options 🏦

The more banking options operators offer new players, the better. Before legalized sports betting in Virginia and other United States, weak and complicated banking processes were a friction point for operators to gain new players. 

Now, the process is simplified and streamlined. It should take less than a few minutes for a first-time deposit to take place. Just remember that most major credit and debit cards are accepted, and while a little more typing needs to occur, one of the safest ways to make a deposit is via ACH bank wire transfers.

Payout speed 💸

New players are suitable to get nervous should their withdrawal request take too long. So, SBR’s editorial team weighs the payout speed of each online sportsbook and sports betting app when creating its unique ratings and rankings. 

In today’s betting world, it should take less than five business days for digital payouts to be processed and funds to be transferred to the player. If they request a paper check be mailed to them, 15 business days seems to be the most common timeline.

Security and customer support 📞

When beaming personal and financial information back and forth between yourself and an online sportsbook operator, you want to know that your online sportsbook is SSL encrypted and that firewalls are in place to prevent hackers from accessing your data. This is why including your social security number is crucial during registration because it doesn’t allow multiple accounts to be created in your name.

Suppose questions do pop up — for betting odds clarification. In that case, welcome bonus playthrough requirements or even a loss password assistance, the strength of an online sportsbook’s customer service team is heavily weighed when it comes to generating a ranking. They should be available 24/7 and feature a live-chat option to help players — new and old — to get answers as soon as possible.

Other Virginia betting apps with bonuses

Several of the 11 legal online sportsbooks in Virginia offer welcome bonuses of up to $1,500. This aggressive marketing strategy allows new players to cash in on bonus bets to use Virginia sports betting apps on future wagers. The state is home to many of the best sportsbooks promos in the country. 

Seasoned bettors, who may already have an account with one or more Virginia online sportsbook operators, can cash in via ongoing promos. Daily odds boosts, reduced juice, and bonus bets, as well as same-game parlay bonuses, are regularly up for grabs.

You can't go wrong with any of the betting apps in our top list above. However, if you want to really have numerous options at your fingertips, these VA betting apps also deserve a look:

• Bally Bet promo code
• ESPN BET promo code
• Hard Rock Bet promo code

Here are more welcome bonuses from Virginia's best sports betting apps:

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

VA sports betting key developments and updates

Virginia sports betting summary

How to start betting in Virginia

Thanks to advancements in technology and improvements in sports betting software, getting started at Virginia online sportsbooks is easier than ever. You can be up and running and wagering on Washington Commanders football, Baltimore Orioles baseball, and Washington Capitals hockey in just a few steps. New players should be encouraged by the sports betting process, but if you are, here is a quick and easy step-by-step guide to get started.

1. Select a sportsbook licensed in Virginia

The first thing you want to do is do your homework. Read as many of the 11 Virginia online sportsbook and sports betting app reviews that we offer at the top of this page. Once you’ve found an operator that fits your wants and needs as a customer, download the sports betting app to your Apple or Android device.

2. Register online

Once the app is downloaded on your smart device, open it up. The operator will require you to register for a new account, which should take less than five minutes to complete. You’ll need to provide some basic personal information, including full name, mailing address, email address, date of birth, and social security number. The social security number helps identify who you are and helps prohibit bad actors from creating multiple accounts to exploit bonuses and promotions. The process also helps expedite payouts later on.

The operator will likely send you an email verification to activate your account. Once you do, it’ll be time to create a unique username (typically your email address) and password. The password should combine upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters at least eight characters long.

3. Deposit and claim a bonus

Now that your account is activated and the password created, it’s time to pick your preferred banking method and make a first deposit. You’ll need to sync your bank information with the new account you just created. Most online sportsbooks in Virginia accept credit cards, debit cards, Paypal, and ACH bank wire transfers.

At this point, if the Virginia sports betting app you decided on requires a promo code to redeem a welcome bonus, you enter it in the correct field when you submit your first deposit. It becomes messy if you try to redeem a welcome offer after making your first deposit but forget to enter the code.

4. Select and finalize your bet

With your account funded, it’s time to navigate all the different betting app pages. Virginia bettors can shop around for moneyline, point spread, and point total odds or research same-game parlays, live in-game betting, or futures odds, which allows users to bet that — for example — the Nationals win the National League East division in 2023.

You can enter one-or-more wagers on the same bet slip. You’ll type in how much of your account balance you want to wager there. Press submit to place your bet.

5. Win and withdraw your payout

Though most welcome bonuses feature playthrough requirements, you can withdraw any money you deposit before or after a big win. So, if you hit that NFL parlay on Sunday and are ready to cash out, head back to the cashier – the same one you visited to make an initial deposit – and start the withdrawal process. This process should take less than a few business days for approval and funds to hit your account.

Virginia sports betting handle

2024 was a good year for Virginia sports betting. The state’s sports betting handle in the year’s final three months was $696.1 million, $760.9 million, and $734.4 million, respectively. The total sports betting handle for the year hit $6.9 billion, nearly $1.5 billion higher than in 2023.

The state's revenue generated by sports betting has increased for three consecutive years, but it's too early to know if 2025 will follow the same pattern.

2025 Handle

2024 Handle

2023 Handle

2022 Handle

Virginia sports leagues and teams to bet on

Unlike most states that have legalized sports betting, Virginia has no professional sports team within its borders. However, that doesn’t mean the Commonwealth doesn’t root for their favorite regional franchises. Without restrictions, bettors can wager on the four major professional leagues; NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB. However, you can’t wager on sporting events featuring in-state college teams. So, March Madness — as popular as it is — is off-limits if a matchup includes a program from Virginia.

If you’re not interested in betting on a team in the big four, remember most online sportsbooks offer odds on PGA tournaments, European soccer leagues, international tennis majors, and even eSports video game events.

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

Legal Virginia sports betting options

Virginia online and mobile sportsbooks

After sticking with 11 online sportsbooks for over a year, bet365 and Betfred joined the Virginia sports betting party at the start of 2023 (although the latter would exit the market in October 2024). After some other operators dropped out, the state now boasts 11 sports betting apps with up to 18 licenses pending fulfillment. So, the VA sports betting handle is expected to grow by more than half a billion dollars in 2024.

Bettors can also participate in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). For more information, check out our best DFS sites.

Land-based VA sportsbooks

Although Virginia only features one retail sportsbook in Bristol, lawmakers have green-lit up to five physical casinos, each operating a sportsbook inside. Three will be located in Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.

Who can bet on sports in Virginia?

Legal age 🎂

You must be at least 21 to wager at Virginia’s 11 online sportsbooks, sports betting apps, and retail sportsbook locations.

Mobile betting 📱

Mobile betting is legal in Virginia as all 11 operators offer an online sportsbook accessible via desktop or laptop and a downloadable sports betting app for iOS and Android devices.

Remote registration 💻

With only one retail sportsbook location in Bristol (and four in the process of being built), Virginia offers all bettors remote registration, where they can sign-up for a new sportsbook in less than five minutes from the comfort of their own home.

Within state borders 🌎

You don’t need to be a full-time resident of Virginia to wager at the 11 online sportsbooks or via sports betting apps. However, when placing a wager, geotagging software allows operators to ensure interested bettors are located within state borders. If you’re outside of Virginia’s state line, you won’t be able to place a bet.

Retail sportsbooks 🏢

There is a Hard Rock Sportsbook in Bristol, VA, while other casinos are being constructed in Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. Each of those land-based casinos will feature a sportsbook when they open.

Taxable winnings 💸

Virginia state taxes on gambling profits vary based on how much you win but range between 2% - 5.75%, while the federal rate is 24% on earnings over $600. You can write off losses. So, it’s essential to keep good records of your betting history.

What you can and can’t bet on in Virginia

Online sportsbooks can offer many domestic and international betting markets like the NFL, NBA, PGA, and Champions League soccer. Still, the state law does prohibit some events from hitting digital odds boards.

Politics ❌

Betting on political events is not allowed in Virginia. So, you will not see odds of winning the 2024 U.S. Presidential election nor an over/under on the number of times Joe Biden says “folks” in his next State of the Union address.

Entertainment award ceremonies ❌

Award season odds are a hit among cinephiles and audiophiles, but you won’t be able to wager on the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, or any other award show in Virginia. Thus, celebrating Taylor Swift’s entire catalog is admirable, but it won’t help you win money at your favorite online sportsbook.

eSports ✅

Updated language in 2020 added eSports to events that bettors can wager on as the industry becomes increasingly popular. You’ll be able to find betting markets for video game tournaments like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Madden.

What about Virginia college sports? 🎓

Virginia bettors can wager on out-of-state college sports teams. If a collegiate sporting event, such as college football or basketball, features an in-state program, you will NOT be allowed to wager on that matchup. So, come March Madness, if the Virginia Cavaliers play somebody, that game will be off the board.

Responsible Virginia sports betting

In addition to overseeing more than two dozen lotteries and scratch games, the Virginia Lottery is the state’s sports betting regulator in charge of licensing, auditing, and compliance.

They charge a non-refundable $50,000 application fee and a $250,000 fee if a license is awarded to an interested online sportsbook operator. The Virginia Lottery boasts that profits have generated more than $11 billion for the state’s public schools, and that number is expected to soar with sports betting adding to state coffers for years to come.

In addition to generating millions of dollars, the Virginia Lottery is also looking out for you, the player. It offers several problem gambling resources for families and individuals. A volunteer self-exclusion list will prohibit bettors from wagering at online or retail casinos. Operators also provide session and betting limits to help keep people within a budget.

The Virginia Council on Problem Gambling is available 24/7 at 1-800-522-4700 or via live chat at the National Problem Gambling Helpline.

National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Sportsbooks to avoid in Virginia

With 13 online sportsbooks and sports betting apps to choose from, there should be no reason for Virginia sports bettors to seek offshore and illegal sports betting sites. These unregulated and, at times, unlicensed operators are not legal in the eyes of the Virginia Lottery. Thus, the individual, not the operator, risks personal and financial data loss should the worse occur.

It’s best to avoid these sites, play it smart and register with an online sportsbook regulated by the Virginia Lottery to protect your personal data and help you should any financial issues arise.

Here are three of several sportsbooks to avoid and ones that SBR’s editorial team has blacklisted.

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past few years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

Last year, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state.

However, all eyes will be on Missouri in 2025, with legal sports betting set to launch in the Show-Me State sometime in mid-to-late summer. Stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates as they're announced by following our Missouri sportsbook promos page.

The states closest to offering legalized sports betting next are Oklahoma and Hawaii, but we don't expect either until the first half of 2026 (at the earliest).