Virginia Sports Betting: Online Sportsbooks, Apps

Sports betting is taking off since the Supreme Court turned things over to the states by repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The top sportsbooks are flooding states across the country. What about Virginia? Sports betting in multiple other states is live but what about the Old Dominion state? Here’s what you need to know about Virginia online sports betting.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia?

Yes. Online sports betting is completely legal in the state of Virginia. There are over a dozen online and mobile sports betting options for bettors in the state. The Virginia Lottery is in charge of regulating all professional and college sports betting in the state. They are also in charge of sports betting licenses for the top sportsbooks now that sports betting is legal.

Virigina’s sports betting law allowed for betting to begin in January 2021. There are plans to expand the retail sports betting market for Virginia sports bettors. Several casinos are looking to add sportsbook lounges to accompany existing Virgina sports betting app options.

Best Virginia Sportsbooks and Sportsbook Apps

If you are looking to bet on sports in Virginia, there are plenty of sportsbooks to choose from. The top online sportsbooks in Virginia are offering some great promotions to get new users to sign up for the best sports betting apps and websites. Here’s a glance at some of the best sports betting sites for sports wagering in the state.

BetMGM

If you are in Virginia, BetMGM is a popular sportsbook known for its range of solid features that include live betting and the ability to edit bets in your bet slip. It is a great option for bettors looking for great odds on professional sports, prop bets, and more. BetMGM also offers solid promotions to get started betting.

FanDuel

Virginia bettors will see that FanDuel Sportsbook is a well-regarded and trustworthy sportsbook. It is known for having great live betting options making it one of the industry’s best. It’s an excellent option for bettors searching for betting odds and the famous same-game parlay that FanDuel has put on the map.

DraftKings

DraftKings Sportsbook is a widely-used and reputable sports betting platform in the state of Virginia that offers a variety of features, including a rewards program that allows users to earn bonuses, odds boosts, offers, promotions, and more. Additionally, DraftKings provides users with solid odds that compare well with the rest of the legal sports betting industry.

Caesars

Virginia sports bettors should give Caesars a look. Caesars is known for having a great VIP loyalty program. You can start earning money on your spread bets, moneylines, and more right off the bet. It’s one of the best legal sportsbooks out there as you can get promotions, offers, bonuses, and more as you bet.

PointsBet

PointsBet is a sportsbook that has managed to establish a strong reputation in legal gambling due to some of the unique betting options it offers. These include its famous “Points Betting” which is a solid option for Virginia bettors.

Moreover, the sportsbook provides attractive offers such as second chance bets for new sports bettors as it tries to compete with the best online sportsbook apps and websites.

BetRivers

The BetRivers Sportsbook is a top choice for Virginia bettors looking for a reliable and convenient platform to place their bets. The BetRivers Sportsbook provides a seamless betting experience for both casual and professional bettors alike. The platform offers various betting options for users to get in on the action.

Latest Virginia Sports Betting News

The Virginia General Assembly and Senate were crucial to the launch in Virginia of sports betting back in January 2021. It started as an online-only market but has plans to expand with retail locations. The state has 18 sports betting licenses and the state does not allow wagers on in-state college teams.

Sports betting revenue dropped for online sports betting sites from February 2023 to March 2023. Also, DraftKings launched its horse racing app on March 30, 2023, to be ready for the Kentucky Derby.

Promotions on the Best Virginia Sports Betting Sites

The top platforms are offering sports betting bonuses to entice new users to jump on board with online gambling. They are a good way for new bettors to start their account with a boost at an online sportsbook in Virginia. Here’s a look at some of the bonuses and offers you will see on Virginia sports betting apps and websites as you bet in the Old Dominion state.

Bonus Bets

One of the best bonuses offered by sportsbooks is a bonus bet. The best sportsbooks will dish out bonus bets to new users to entice them to register for the platform. Some bonus bets come without any form of a qualifying deposit. All you need to do is sign up and a sportsbook will give you bonus bets up to a certain amount. Sometimes, the bonus bet needs to be wagered on a specific event.

Other bonus bets have what is called a qualifying bet or deposit that you need to activate the bonus. You have to either place a wager or deposit a certain amount of money to receive the bonus bets. For example, DraftKings has run offers in the past where you place a $5 wager and get $150 in bonus bets instantly.

Second Chance Bets or Bet Insurance

A first bet insurance can also be known as a no-sweat bet, second chance bet, or first bet offer. It provides a type of safety net for users who place their first bet. This promotion offers protection for the first bet that you make up to a specific amount.

In the event of a losing the bet, the sportsbook will credit your account with bonus bets or bet credits equivalent to the initial wager. This type of bonus offer is designed to encourage new users to explore the platform and bet without fear of losing their initial amount of money deposited.

Refer a Friend

Friend referral promotions reward users for inviting their friends and others to join the sportsbook platform. When a user refers a friend, they will receive a bonus or credit, often in the form of bet credits or bonus bets, once their friend signs up and meets certain criteria.

These types of promotions not only provide incentives for users to invite their friends but also expand the sportsbook’s customer base as they look to grow their sports betting apps quickly.

Bet Types in the VA Sports Betting Market

Since Virginia legalized sports betting in January of 2021, sports bettors have been placing wagers with the top legal online sportsbooks in Virginia. There are plenty of different bet types and markets to explore. You can bet on sports and teams from across the country and the world. Here are some of the common bet types you will see when legal online sports betting in Virginia.

Moneylines

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will be the outright winner of the game or event. You’re betting on the winner. Favorites are usually listed with negative odds while an underdog will have positive odds.

For example, you check betting odds and see the Commanders are -130 favorites vs the Chicago Bears. If the Commanders win the game, it would take a $130 bet to win $100.

Point spreads

For a point spread bet, you’re betting on the margin of victory or defeat in the game. Each team is given a point value to balance the odds for bettors. Point spreads allow you to bet on either team, even if one is heavily favored to win the game or event.

For example, you might see the Washington Wizards are a -5.5 point favorite vs the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. To cover the spread, the Wizards need to win by six points or more.

Betting lines for point spreads usually come with odds around -110 on both sides. A $110 bet would win $100. Point spreads are one of the most popular bet types in all of sports.

Totals

A total bet is also called an over/under bet. You’re betting on the combined total number of points that both teams will score in the game. Top sportsbooks will set a line on how many points they think will be scored in the game.

For example, the total for the Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs game is 8.5 runs. For an under bet to win, eight runs or less need to be scored in the game. If the game ended 6-4, it would be an over because 10 total runs were scored. An under bet would lose in this case.

Props

A prop bet is a wager on a specific outcome within a game. Keep in mind, the outcome is not necessarily tied to the final result. Some people find these bets more enjoyable. Sportsbooks offer props on different outcomes for players, teams, and games.

There are a variety of outcomes such as how many points a player will score, how many rebounds a player will have, how many touchdowns a QB will throw for, and more. For example, Carson Wentz might have his over/under for passing yards set a 255.5. You are betting whether he will be over or under that mark in the game.

The state of Virginia does not allow props on college sports. Sports betting in the Old Dominion state has restrictions on college sports in-state as well as props. Sorry for fans looking to start betting on college sports in the state.

Futures

A futures bet is looking at an event or outcome down the road in a sporting season or year. Betting on which team will win the championship or what player will win a major award at the end of the year. These odds change throughout the year based on performance, injuries, and more.

Parlays

A parlay bet is when you combine multiple outcomes into one single bet slip. This gives you a boost in odds but comes with a catch. To win a parlay, all of the bets have to win. With each leg you add to the parlay, the probability of winning the bet goes down.

For example, you can select four NFL teams each to win on a Sunday in the fall. If any of the teams lose, your bet loses. If all the teams win, you receive your payout based on the odds.

Using Multiple Online Sportsbooks in VA

Using multiple sportsbooks online is a wise strategy for any sports bettor. By having accounts with several different sportsbooks, you can compare the odds and lines offered by each one and choose the most favorable option for each bet you place. This means that you can increase your potential payouts and maximize your profits over time.

Additionally, some sportsbooks offer unique features and betting options that may not be available elsewhere, so having multiple accounts allows you to take advantage of these opportunities.

Another compelling reason to use multiple sportsbooks online is that it can help you access the best bonuses and promotions. Many sportsbooks offer sign-up bonuses, deposit bonuses, free bets, and other incentives to attract new users and keep existing ones engaged.

By having accounts with multiple sportsbooks, you can take advantage of these offers to maximize your bankroll and increase your chances of winning. Additionally, some sportsbooks offer loyalty programs that reward users for their continued patronage, so it pays to spread your bets around and take advantage of these perks.

Sports Teams to Bet on in Virginia

There are no professional sports teams from the major sports leagues in the state. There are a few Division I college sports teams such as Virginia Tech, Virginia, and more but you can’t bet on in-state college teams. That is illegal in the state of Virginia. So, Virginia college sports are off-limits for now if you live in Virginia.

There are plenty of other major college sports across the country and even in nearby states for sports bettors in Virginia.

In terms of pro sports, there might not be anything within Virginia, but there are options close by like the Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards, Washington Nationals, and more that compete in the DC area.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Virginia

Daily fantasy sports contests are both legal and accessible to players as Virginia was the first state to legalize DFS play. Major DFS providers like DraftKings and FanDuel have been operating in Virginia since 2016, offering their services to players who enjoy participating in daily fantasy sports.

Virginia Online Sports Betting FAQs

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