Virginia was one of the first states to express a concrete interest in legalizing sports betting, but with opposition in some quarters, it only got the green light in 2020.
Sports gambling was launched in the Old Dominion in the summer of 2020 as America continued to grapple with the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the variable environment in which sports betting was launched within Virginia, uptake was pretty successful, and online sports betting apps were launched soon after, in January 2021.
The relatively strict doctrines by which Virginia has historically operated continue to influence the state today. In-person casinos have yet to be sanctioned in Virginia. Consequently, the entire state’s sports gambling operation is currently virtually done.
Plans are afoot to develop casinos in Virginia in the not-too-distant future. Still, with some of the biggest sports betting apps in the world quickly setting up operations in Virginia, they have made an instant splash on the sports betting market in the United States.
Online sports betting apps have quickly become part of the fabric for sports fans in Virginia, and with innovations launching constantly, sports betting in Virginia is continually developing.
Legality of Sports Betting in Virginia
As mentioned, Virginia has always held relatively conservative views on the legality and functionality of sports betting apps. It has arrived at the sportsbook party relatively late, especially in comparison to neighboring states.
With no casinos in Virginia, the clamor to instigate sports betting within the state was perhapsn’t as vocal as it was in some other states. Still, the advent of online sports betting apps saw Virginia’s Governors look to add some sports betting presence to the state.
The state legislature approved the legality of sports betting in Virginia in the summer of 2020, as a global pandemic gripped the country and progress was temporarily stalled.
At the beginning of 2021, Virginia state delegate Mark Sickles filed House Bill 1847, which clarified the rules associated with sports betting in Virginia and set out the blueprint for how sports betting apps could operate within the state.
By the end of January 2021, some of the most prominent players in the sports betting apps world had set up operations in Virginia, providing a licensed online sports betting platform for residents and inhabitants of the Old Dominion.
Virginia Online Sports Betting
Despite being in its primitive states, online betting has been gripping Virginia since its official launch in early 2021.
The relatively limited legislation and restrictions placed on punters have encouraged many sports fans to adopt the sports betting app boom in Virginia.
Inevitably, there are some restrictions placed on online gamblers, and Virginia operates under the following online betting rules:
- In-State Registration – As Virginia looks to roll out sports betting steadily throughout the state, punters are obliged to be physically located within the Old Dominion in order to place a bet. Turning on location services on your device is vitally essential for any prospective punter in Virginia, with geolocation technology being used by all the major sportsbooks to verify the whereabouts of their players.
- Anybody 21+ can open an account – With the whole of the sports betting operation available to consumers in Virginia currently solely available online, the associated age verification technology is state-of-the-art in the state. There is no need for players to visit an in-store casino to verify their identity, and punters can often start betting instantly. Furthermore, the registration process in Virginia is based on the location of the punter placing the bet, not their legal residency. This means visiting punters can place a bet in Virginia, provided they are situated within state lines when betting.
Virginia is relatively late to the sports betting scene in America, so tracking the state’s progress is relatively tricky. At the time of writing, only two months of betting had been completed.
The surge in popularity of sports betting across the country, however, appears to have gripped Virginia. With huge conglomerates such as FanDuel and DraftKings investing time and money into launching online sports betting in Virginia, it looks to be a state on the cusp of booming within the sports betting industry.
Who Can Bet on Sports in Virginia?
Whilst staples of American law, such as the legal betting age, rarely change between states, the relatively young sports betting industry in America is still grappling with the autonomy each state possesses.
The absence of national rulings allows state governors to legislate in their constituencies, and whilst they generally act in the best interests of their residents, it can be tricky for punters to keep up with the developing trends.
As a relatively new player within the American sports betting scene, Virginia is following betting blueprints already established in its law-making.
Punters must be at least 21 years old to legally place a sports bet in Virginia, and all of the major online sports betting companies require verification and identification before a new customer can start betting with them.
Being situated within the state lines is a prerequisite for most states, and Virginia is also on board with that ruling. Neighbouring states such as Maryland and Washington are also getting on board with the sports gambling revolution. It isn’t too restrictive for residents on Virginia’s borders, but with each state possessing its own set of gambling laws, adhering to them as punters is essential.
Virginia Online Betting Sites & Apps
As part of the attempt to facilitate online sports betting in Virginia, sportsbook companies haven’t been hit with the significant tax rates they are charged in other states. Governors looked to make the Old Dominion an attractive proposition for worldwide sports betting apps.
This seems to have had an effect, with some of the most prominent players within the world’s online betting sphere instantly setting up operations in Virginia despite no history of gambling or betting within the state lines.
All of the below sites are national or international sports betting companies and are standalone online operations within Virginia:
- William Hill
- Bet Rivers
- BetMGM
- FanDuel
- Draft Kings
What Sports Can You Bet on in Virginia?
Unlike many of its neighboring states, Virginia doesn’t have the sporting heritage of many states across America, a potential factor in the late onset of sports betting within the state.
No professional teams currently operate out of the Old Dominion across any of America’s major sports. With teams booming in neighboring Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina, Virginia is often somewhat of a forgotten state in the sporting world.
On the MLB side, the Houston Astros were almost relocated to Virginia back in 1996, a decision that was outlawed at the eleventh hour, and a professional sporting presence remains absent from the state.
College sports, however, are big business in Virginia, and unlike many other states, punters can bet on college sports in Virginia.
As part of the Big South competition, institutions such as Hampton, Longwood, and Radford all represent Virginia in college sports on a national scale.
The Atlantic 10 is another massive competition across America, with colleges such as George Mason, Richmond, and VCU all regularly fighting for honors.
Further down the pyramid, Virginia is well represented, too, with plenty of teams at the NCAA Division II and III, making college sports a huge deal within the state.
In Virginia, punters have limited restrictions on the sports they can bet on. The only exception is the Olympic Games (both Summer and Winter), where no bets can be placed on any Olympic events.
Wagers on soccer, golf, tennis, NHL, and horse racing are all accepted in Virginia and are an essential part of the fabric from which the sports betting industry within the state is built.
Due to Virginia’s relatively lax approach to legislation on particular sports, betting markets on sports such as MMA, darts, and snooker are also growing within the state, catering to the tastes of every punter.
What Types of Sports Bets Can You Place in Virginia?
With the whole sports betting industry in Virginia currently based online, gamblers have access to a vast number of different bets.
Online sportsbooks trump in-person betting institutions in convenience. Players can place a bet at the touch of a button and bet as the action unfolds on a range of in-play markets.
Across most sports, straight-win bets continue to be the most popular gambling medium in the state, with a packed national fixture list ideal for punters.
For punters searching for niches, Moneyline spread bets and parlays are always viable options, and all are available in abundance through Virginia’s online betting platforms.
Virginia’s punters also have the option of betting on college sports; with so many sports and competitions taking place across the academic year, the sportsbooks in Virginia look to offer strong college sports odds.
While Virginia, as a state, doesn’t have the sporting reputation of some of its neighbors, it is embracing the online sports betting revolution and has continued to grow in stature since its launch at the start of 2021.
