Since January 2021, sports betting in Virginia has been fully legal and operational. Virginians now have access to a wide variety of betting options, with 15 online sportsbook apps currently available and room for up to three more operators.
Virginia may be for lovers, but it’s also for sports bettors. With 15 different online sportsbooks to choose from, your options can make sports fans outside the state awfully jealous. I will provide you with details on your best sportsbook options in Virginia to help you decide which is worth signing up for. I’ll also explain how to get started with sports betting, the state’s path toward legal sports betting, which Virginia teams to wager on and responsible gambling resources.
Best Betting Sites In Virginia
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Is sports betting legal in virginia?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Virginia following the passage of amended House Bill 896 and amended Senate Bill 384 on the same day in April of 2020. The bills were both amended by Governor Ralph Northam and once they passed in both chambers, they were considered law. Nine months later, just in time for Super Bowl LV, Old Dominion residents and visitors began wagering on sports throughout the state.
Virginia Quick Facts
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Timeline of Betting Legislation & Latest News
Virginia lawmakers accepted Governor Ralph Northam’s amendments to HB 896 and SB 384 in April of 2020, making sports betting legal in the state. It took an additional nine months for sports betting to actually begin in Virginia as FanDuel accepted the state’s first Wager in January of 2021.
Feb. 5 & Feb. 11, 2020
HB 896 from Del. Mark Sickles passed in the house (70-27 vote) and SB 384 from Sen. Jeremy McPike passed in the senate (27-12 vote), both bills seek to legalize sports betting in the state.
April 11, 2020
This day was the deadline for Gov. Northam to sign the legislation or let it become law without his signature. Instead, he made minor amendments, including one to allow the state’s two NASCAR tracks (Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway) to collaborate on marketing.
April 22, 2020
Gov. Northam’s amendments to HB 896 and SB 384 accepted by lawmakers in both the house and senate, making online and retail sports betting in Virginia legal.
Jan. 21, 2021
Sports betting launches in Virginia.
Jan. 11, 2024
SB 142 introduced in the Virginia General Assembly to allow betting on in-state college teams.
Jan. 31, 2024
SB 142 passed through the Virginia Senate General Laws and Technology Committee and is headed for the full Virginia Senate for further discussion and a vote.
How to start betting in virginia
Getting started betting in Virginia is easy since the state allows for remote registration, meaning you can register for a sportsbook and deposit money into an account without leaving your house. Virginia bettors can download their favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify their identity, and start betting right away.
Select a Sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
Create Account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
Deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
Choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
Withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.
Home Field Advantage
Virginia is a robust sports market with a population of 8.7 million people, 79 percent of those adults. But it’s also the largest U.S. state without a major professional sports team competing within its borders. The Old Dominion’s two major pro sports venues are the NASCAR tracks in Richmond and Martinsville.
The six major pro sports teams that capture the bulk of Virginia’s attention are based across the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., or in neighboring Maryland:
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USA Betting News
The Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VCPG) was created to increase the well-being of Virginians impacted by gambling. The VCPG’s website offers information about events such as webinars and digital symposiums related to problem gambling as well as tips for gambling responsibly and help identifying problematic gambling behavior. The Virginia Lottery offers a voluntary exclusion program for those seeking help who want to ban themselves from betting activity in the state for two or five years.
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