Virginia Sports Betting Promos 2025 | Best VA Sportsbooks

How We Picked the Best Sports Betting Sites in Virginia

Nobody wants to sign up with a sportsbook that overpromises and disappears when you try to withdraw. When we review Virginia sports betting sites at LiveScore, we don’t just take their word for it; we test every claim firsthand. Here’s what we check before any platform makes our list:

Licensing

Betting without oversight is a gamble you don’t want to take. We only feature licensed sportsbooks in Virginia that hold a license issued by the Virginia Lottery Board. We confirm that each operator follows all the state laws before recommending it to readers. Without it, we simply skip the operator altogether. 

Security

Our phones contain very sensitive personal information. This is why only VA legal sportsbooks that clearly protect user funds and identities make our list of the top betting platforms worth using. We look past shiny graphics to see how encryption, authentication, and emergency controls actually perform.

Bonuses and Promotions

The best way to evaluate the profitability of a VA sportsbook promo is by checking the terms, expiry, and how realistic the offer actually is. All these details are buried in lengthy paragraphs and long documents, but our team does the hard part and goes through each and every detail. The best Virginia sports betting bonuses give you a fair shot at cashing out, not just flashy marketing gimmicks.

Quality odds

Poor pricing drains your account faster than a losing streak. We track odds daily across major sports, comparing house margins and consistency. Which is why the sportsbook with the best payout speed in VA should also offer strong prices on key markets. That combination of fairness and fast cash-outs earns serious trust.

Betting Menu 

With Virginia sports betting laws restricting in-state college markets, the options are already limited. We only consider Virginia betting sites that offer in-depth player props, alternate lines, and more creative ways to bet on both major and niche sports. 

Virginia Sports Betting Laws and Regulations

Legal sports betting in Virginia officially launched in January 2021, following the passage of HB 896, signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam in April 2020. This legislation cleared the way for both online and retail betting, though mobile apps were prioritized from the start. Today, 15 online VA sportsbooks are active within the state, all licensed and monitored by the Virginia Lottery Board, which handles licensing, oversees compliance, and consumer protection.

Unlike other states that initially rolled out betting through casinos, sports betting in Virginia was designed as an online-only market at launch. Retail sportsbooks weren’t permitted until July 2022, but this rule was later changed. Today, there are three in-person wagering locations available at Hard Rock Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Caesars Danville. Here's how the path to legalization took shape:

May 14, 2018 – The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, opening the door for state-regulated sports betting.

November 2019 – Virginia lawmakers begin drafting bills to bring sports betting to the state.

March 2020 – The Virginia General Assembly passes HB 896, outlining a mobile-focused betting framework.

April 2020 – Governor Ralph Northam signs HB 896 into law, officially legalizing sports betting in the Commonwealth.

January 2021 – The first VA sportsbooks go live online, with FanDuel launching on opening day.

2022 – The market expands rapidly, with over a dozen operators securing licenses to run online sports betting in Virginia.

The legal gambling age in Virginia is 21, applying to both Virginia online sportsbooks and in-person casino betting. While wagering on professional and out-of-state college games is allowed, betting on Virginia-based college teams is prohibited, and prop bets involving individual college athletes are also off-limits. However, horse race wagering remains fully legal, with licensed tracks and platforms operating under separate rules.

Latest Virginia Sports Betting News

• August 29, 2025 – Virginia's sports betting handle for August reached $510.2 million, showcasing the market's annual return to form as the NFL season approached. 

• October 1, 2025 – Roseshire Gaming Parlor opened in Henrico after getting the green light from the Virginia Racing Commission, adding another retail sportsbook option for Virginians alongside online choices

• October 23, 2025 – The Virginia Lottery Board is set to vote on a casino license for the planned Norfolk resort, a major step for the project led by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.

Virginia Sports Betting Tax Rules

For bettors, sports betting winnings are taxed at both the federal and state levels, just like lottery, slots, or horse racing payouts. The IRS may withhold 24 for larger wins, and Virginia taxes gambling income at rates between 2 and 5.75%.

Operators in Virginia pay a 15% tax on their adjusted gross revenue, collected by the Virginia Lottery Board. This money helps fund regulatory efforts and contributes to state programs, including public education. This revenue supports state programs, including problem gambling treatment.

Popular VA Sports Betting Bonuses

If you're betting in Virginia, you’ve likely seen offers that sound too good to pass up. But figuring out which ones are actually worth your time takes more than reading the headline. Below, we break down the most common Virginia betting bonuses and promotions and what they really offer VA bettors.

SignUp bonus

The best Virginia sportsbook welcome offers should not only give you time to use the bonus but also a fair chance to turn it into something you can actually withdraw. Most such offers are either deposit bonuses or Bet and Get deals that are helpful when you're getting started. 

DraftKings VA ran a “Bet $5, Get $200” promo in September 2025. The bonus was split into eight $25 site credits, each with a 7-day expiration.

Second Chance Bets

These Virginia sportsbook promos are prevalent, especially for new users, and they appear attractive upfront. But here’s the catch: if your first bet loses, you get bonus bets back, not cash, and only the winnings from those bonuses are actually withdrawable.

Example: BetMGM VA offered up to $100 back in bonus bets if your first bet didn’t hit.

Odds Boost and Profit Boost Tokens

As the name suggests, this promo rewards customers with better prices on specific wagers or increases the payout percentage on a parlay. The obvious downside is that VA sportsbooks cap wagers at $25 or $50 to limit their liability.

Example: Caesars Sportsbook has a unique welcome offer that provides new VA bettors with a bundle of profit boost tokens for future bets.

Loyalty Programs

These promos don't get as much marketing hype, but they're where long-term value is. The best Virginia sportsbooks reward your consistency with points you can exchange for site credits, experiences, or physical goods, such as merchandise, higher withdrawal limits, and odds boosts. 

Example: Caesars Rewards, for example, will let you earn points redeemable for hotel stays or site credits the longer you stick around. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Virginia Sportsbooks

Certain sports dominate betting in Virginia thanks to diehard fan culture and in-state teams keeping locals invested year-round. A lot of it comes down to how connected bettors are to local Virginia teams they can bet on, and what betting options those teams offer. Here are the popular sports that VA bettors like to bet on:

NFL

Football is at the epicenter of sports betting in Virginia, and most residents prefer to bet on Washington Commanders games. That’s partly because they’re the closest team, but also because the games are usually tight and unpredictable. Bettors tend to stick with spreads or touchdown props. Commanders' betting lines shift fast depending on QB news or injuries, which is why checking updates before betting is so standard on Virginia sportsbook apps. 

NBA

Basketball is one of the most popular sports for VA sportsbooks, especially during the regular season. Most of the betting activity focuses on the Washington Wizards' odds and other Eastern Conference teams. Bettors tend to focus on total points, double-double props, and live parlays when games are close and back and forth. VA sportsbooks often feature parlay insurance and profit boosts during NBA weekends, which is why seasoned bettors watch these market trends closely so they can capitalize early.

NHL

Virginia may not be the largest NHL market, but the sport remains relevant in the state, thanks to Washington Capitals fans and pockets of die-hard fans in the northern part of the state. The common bet here isn't the final score, but the 'Puck Line', because Virginia bettors value the insurance it provides on high-scoring games. What sets Virginia sports betting trends apart here is that even low-scoring games get creative bets, such as live unders, combo props, and small-stakes multi-leg parlays.

College Sports

You can’t talk about Virginia college sports betting without addressing the rules. While fans are deeply invested in teams and monitor college football odds carefully, the Richmond Spiders betting centers on the game spreads and team totals, since prop bets on in-state college teams VA are prohibited. As for basketball, the regulations are the same, and as a result, Virginia Tech, VCU, and the Virginia Cavaliers' betting leans more on smaller live bets on the moneyline during second halves. This keeps the ACC basketball betting market consistently busy despite the regulatory limits.

Soccer

Soccer betting in VA is turning into a serious alternative, especially for bettors who enjoy early-morning matches with in-game bets. Bettors here follow all the major European leagues, MLS, and even niche leagues to find profitable betting opportunities. D.C United matches drive the most handle, especially when they face the New York Red Bulls in the local derby. On Virginia betting sites, you’ll often see player goal props and total corner bets trending on weekends.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Virginia

Betting on sports and playing daily fantasy sports in Virginia aren’t the same thing, and they’re regulated by entirely different laws. Virginia was one of the first states to legalize DFS in 2016. Today, DFS is fully legal and overseen by the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs. If you're 18 or older, you can play on the most licensed DFS sites Virginia has to offer, which is a major difference from the 21+ age rule for traditional sports betting.

Most Virginia fantasy sports contests revolve around seasonal and daily formats across football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, especially on weekends, when many players build their lineups around the 1 p.m. Commanders games. 

Getting started is pretty simple; you build lineups either under a salary cap or in pick’em style contests where you compete directly against other players, not the house. So, if you’re new, start with salary cap contests on fan-friendly apps like Underdog and DraftKings, where the rules are clear and the competition feels fair.

How to Get Started with Virginia Sportsbooks

Opening a real-money betting account in Virginia is quick and easy. We've broken down the entire process into five simple steps, so you'll be placing your first wager with confidence: 

1. First, choose a licensed sportsbook from the list on this page. All the Virginia sports betting sites we feature are legal, safe, and regulated by the state. Selecting a trusted operator ensures that your funds and personal information remain protected.

2. Next, create your account and verify your identity. You'll need to enter personal details like your name and SSN, plus upload a valid photo ID to meet state requirements.

3. Once you have an account, turn on location settings so the app can verify you’re inside state lines. 4. Then, fund your account using a method like PayPal, debit card, or online banking. Deposits usually clear instantly, and most sportsbooks won’t allow credit cards for responsible gaming reasons.

5. Finally, browse the extensive sports menu, select a market like the moneyline or a point spread, and enter the exact amount you want to risk on the digital bet slip. Once you hit the confirm button, your bet is officially locked in. 

Virginia Betting Apps

With over 300 million mobile users, the U.S. leads the world in smartphone usage, and Virginia fits right into that picture. Mobile betting is how most people in the state place their wagers, thanks to Virginia sports betting apps that are legal, secure, and built for every kind of bettor, not just seasoned gamblers.

Downloading these apps is super simple, just head to the Apple App Store or Google Play, search for the app, and tap install. The best apps are designed with mobile bettors in Virginia in mind, prioritizing speed and ease of use. Here's what to keep an eye on before downloading any licensed VA sportsbook apps:

• Fast, easy-to-navigate design – You should be able to find bets, track your wagers, and cash out without digging through menus.

• Live betting that doesn’t lag – If you want to place bets mid-game, the app needs to update fast and reflect real-time odds. 

• Good customer support – In case something goes wrong, responsive help through chat or email is worth more than any welcome bonus.

• Rapid Payouts and Multiple Banking Options – You need to be able to withdraw your winnings quickly, ideally through various trusted methods like PayPal, Venmo, or direct bank transfer.

Old Dominion Has New Age Betting at Virginia Sportsbooks

Virginia has quietly become one of the most competitive sports betting markets on the East Coast, and it's easy to see why. Despite the necessary restrictions on in-state college player props, its legal platforms, smart apps, and a passionate fanbase have made it one of the top 10 US states with the highest betting handle. 

There has never been a better time to join the thousands of bettors already enjoying his accessible market. Simply check out the trusted Virginia sports betting sites listed here and take advantage of the best welcome bonuses and betting markets available in the state today.