Virginia Online Gambling
Virginia is one of the most open states for online gambling in the US. Sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), and sweepstakes casinos are all legal in the Old Dominion State. Virginia online casinos are the only type of online gambling that is not legal, but that could change very soon.
This page will cover the history of legal online gambling in Virginia and tell you the best Virginia sportsbooks and gambling sites to play now. We will also get into in-person gambling and make some predictions about how the Virginia gambling market will grow in the next few years.
Best Virginia Gambling Sites
Virginia has a fascinating history of legal gambling and online gambling specifically. Before that, here are our top picks for the best Virginia gambling sites available.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Virginia?
The simple answer is yes. Online gambling is legal in Virginia. The state legalized Daily Fantasy Sports in 2016. The US Supreme Court gave US states the right to legalize sports betting in the Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association case by striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). Two years later, the Virginia Legislature legalized online sports betting in Virginia.
Online casinos are not legal in Virginia yet, but that could change. The state only legalized in-person casinos in 2021. That experiment has gone well, so Virginia online casino sites could be coming very soon.
Until Virginia online casino sites are legal, players must settle for sweepstakes casinos, which are legal under Virginia gambling laws because they are free to play.
Virginia Gambling History
Like many East Coast states that were once part of the original 13 colonies, Virginia has a long history of legal gambling that stretches back before the US became a country.
The history of organized gambling in Virginia goes back to the 1600s when wealthy landowners arranged horse races and large private games at social events. Both state-run and private lotteries were also a part of colonial life. Many lotteries were actually used to raise money for the Revolutionary War effort.
Legal gambling slowed down in the late 1700s and 1800s as societal views changed in the US. Virginia was one of many states to completely ban gambling during this period.
Virginia’s modern gambling history started in 1973 when the state legalized charitable gambling. Beginning with that milestone, here are the other significant dates and accomplishments in Virginia’s gambling history:
- 1973: Virginia legislature amends the state criminal code to allow charitable gambling and small private/household poker games.
- 1987: Voters overwhelmingly approve a referendum to create the Virginia Lottery. The Virginia Lottery sold its first tickets in 1988.
- 1989: Virginia voters backed another referendum to legalize horse racing betting in Virginia.
- 2017: Governor Terry McAuliffe signs the Fantasy Contests Act into law, legalizing DFS in Virginia.
- 2018: The Virginia Lottery launches its official app, introducing legal online lottery games to Virginia for the first time in history.
- 2019: Virginia voters approve a referendum on land-based casinos.
- 2020: Virginia lawmakers ratify changes to two separate sports betting bills, which lawmakers combine and pass together as one legal sports betting bill.
- 2021: Virginia Virginia sports betting sites go live.
Legal Gambling Options in Virginia
As you can tell from the timeline above, Virginia gambling laws have greatly changed in the last decade. Here is where things stand now:
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | ❌ | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | ✅ | 2021 |
| Online Poker | ❌ | N/A |
| Land-Based Poker | ✅ | 2021 |
| Online Sports Betting | ✅ | 2020 |
| Retail Sports Betting | ✅ | 2020 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ | 2016 |
| Horse Racing | ✅ | 1989 |
| Lottery | ✅ | 1987 |
| Charitable Gambling | ✅ | 1973 |
Sports Betting
While the first legal Virginia sports betting site did not go live until January 21, 2021, the movement for legal sports betting in the Old Dominion State started in 2019, soon after the Supreme Court repealed the federal ban.
Lawmakers introduced multiple bills in both chambers of the state legislature. Lawmakers combined two successful bills, which Governor Ralph Northam amended. The amendments were approved, and the legislature made the combined bill into law on April 22, 2020.
Virginia sports betting laws allow up to 12 online sportsbooks to operate, and the Virginia Lottery has issued all of these licenses.
Online Casino
Online casinos are currently not legal in Virginia. Historically, Virginia has been far more opposed to casinos than other US states, not even letting land-based casinos open. That changed in 2019 when voters across the state voted to approve land-based casinos.
Virginia online casino sites were not on the ballot, but with the early success of land-based casinos in the state, lawmakers and voters may consider a legal online casino bill for Virginia in the future.
Poker
Small-sided poker games, such as games between friends or household “poker nights,” have been legal in Virginia since the state lawmakers amended its criminal code in 1973 to allow for legal charitable gambling. These games are still legal under Virginia’s gambling law.
However, these games are no longer the only legal way to play poker in Virginia. Poker games are now available at all five legal land-based casinos in Virginia.
Online poker, on the other hand, is still not legal in Virginia. Since we do not expect Virginia to specifically legalize online poker rooms, the Virginia ban on online poker will probably remain in place until the state legalizes online casinos.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Virginia is one of the best states for DFS players. The Old Dominion State was the first in the entire US to legalize DFS competitions when Governor Terry McAuliffe approved the Fantasy Contests Act in 2016.
FanDuel, DraftKings, Underdog, and all the other major DFS companies are legal in the state. Betr Picks is the only notable exception that is not legal in Virginia.
Like in many states, the Betr Picks paid pick’em contests are too similar to sports betting to fall under Virginia DFS law. Other companies offering those types of contests cannot provide them in Virginia.
Lottery
Virginia was one of the later states on the East Coast to establish a state lottery. New Hampshire started the trend in 1964 with the New Hampshire Lottery. Many states followed, passing bills and constitutional amendments in the following years.
It took over two decades for Virginia to join them. Voters approved a referendum to create the Virginia Lottery in 1987. The Virginia Lottery sold its first tickets in 1988. Since then, the Virginia Lottery has become a huge seller and source of income for the state’s education system. The Virginia Lottery reported $3.259 billion in sales in 2021.
The Virginia Lottery has also been one of the most innovative state lotteries in the country. It is one of the few that offers online lottery games. Virginia Lottery games have been available online through the state’s lottery app since 2018.
Retail Sportsbooks
While retail sports betting was legalized at the same time as Virginia online sports betting, the first brick-and-mortar sportsbook opened over a year after the first Virginia sports betting sites went live: in July 2022, Hard Rock Sportsbook opened at the Hard Rock Casino in Bristol, VA. In January 2023, the Rivers Casino in Portsmouth, VA, opened the BetRivers Sportsbook.
At the time of writing, these are the only legal retail sportsbooks in Virginia. However, more are likely on the way as all five land-based casinos are licensed locations for in-person sportsbooks.
Land-Based Casinos
Virginia is one of the most recent states to legalize land-based casinos. Voters approved a referendum to do so in 2019. Then, cities across the Old Dominion State voted on whether to welcome new legal land-based casinos.
The Virginia gambling law allows for five land-based casinos. All five licenses are currently filled. It is unclear whether the state has plans to issue more. The decision to do so will probably come down to demand from cities once more information is available about the economic impacts of land-based casinos.
The current land-based casinos in Virginia are:
- Caesars Virginia (Danville)
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Bristol)
- Rivers Casino (Portsmouth)
The Pamunkey Tribe has been issued licenses to open two casinos. Current plans have identified Norfolk and Richmond as potential locations for these new Virginia land-based casinos.
Sweepstakes Casinos
While online casinos are illegal in Virginia, sweepstakes and social casinos are legal. Since these sites are free to play and because you wager virtual currency as opposed to real money, sweepstakes casinos fall outside the Virginia gambling law and are technically not illegal.
As the state does not license sweepstakes casinos, be sure to research and ensure you can trust a site before buying any coins or giving it any of your personal information.
How are Gambling Sites Regulated in Virginia?
Virginia online gambling is regulated through a collaboration of many state agencies, including the Virginia Lottery, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Racing Commission.
Of those three, the Virginia Lottery and its executive board have the most crucial role in governing Virginia online gambling. The agency issues licenses, ensures compliance with Virginia gambling laws, and handles player complaints.
According to the Virginia Lottery website, the agency “has been tasked with regulatory responsibilities for land-based casinos and internet sports betting. This includes regulation, licensing, auditing, and compliance for gaming operators, equipment manufacturers and distributors, suppliers and employees.”
Responsible Gambling in Virginia
The agencies we covered above work hard to ensure that Virginia gambling sites are safe so that you can have the best experience possible. Another way to ensure that gambling is fun and safe is by practicing responsible gambling.
If you need help or just want to learn more about how to gamble responsibly, you can find resources on the Virginia Lottery and Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services websites. You can also gain help by calling the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-532-3500.
The lottery website specifically has a voluntary self-exclusion program for problem gamblers who would like to be permanently banned from Virginia online gambling and lottery platforms.
In addition to Virginia state resources, help is also available at these national organizations:
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Virginia?
Yes, almost all forms of online gambling are legal in Virginia. This includes online sports betting, online horse racing betting, and sweepstakes casinos. However, online casinos are not legal in Virginia yet.
Can I bet on sports in Virginia?
Yes! Sports betting is 100% legal in the Old Dominion State. Virginia sports betting options include over a dozen legal sports betting sites and four legal in-person sportsbooks, with more coming soon.
Does Virginia have any online casinos?
No. Online casinos are one form of online gambling that is still illegal in Virginia. There are no legal online casinos available in Virginia. However, sweepstakes casinos are legal if you want to play free online casino games.
Is DFS legal in Virginia?
Yes! Daily Fantasy Sports competitions, tournaments, and free pick’em contests are legal in Virginia. The Old Dominion State was the first ever state to legalize DFS when Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed the Fantasy Contests Act into law.
Are Virginia online gambling sites safe?
Yes. All legal online sportsbooks, betting sites, and DFS sites are very safe. The Virginia Lottery, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Virginia Racing Commission closely regulate the Virginia gambling industry to keep you safe.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Virginia?
Yes, all Virginia gambling winnings are treated as income and subject to a 24% federal tax and a 5.75% Virginia state tax. Many states have no gambling taxes, but Virginia’s gambling tax rate is very similar to the tax rate in other states with gambling taxes.
