Virginia Sports Betting

In addition to legal sportsbooks, Virginia sports bettors can also use pick’em and social-style fantasy apps. Betr Picks (DFS) are available, while Chalkboard operates in Virginia as Social Sports Picks (sweepstakes), alongside the prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.

Can you bet on Virginia college teams?

No, you cannot bet on Virginia college sports teams. The Code of Virginia says that no person can place or accept a bet on Virginia college sports.

It is not limited to Division I. Any Virginia institution counts, so a Division III game between two Virginia colleges is off the board for the same reason a Virginia Tech game is.

It is not just limited to games being played in Virginia. If UVA plays in Phoenix, that game is still Virginia college sports and still unavailable to you.

Separately, you are not allowed to bet on player props on college sports. Not for Virginia teams, not for Duke, not for Alabama. Nothing on passing yards, points scored, rebounds or first touchdown scorer in any college game anywhere.

Can I bet on other college teams in Virginia?

Yes, you can. This is where Virginia departs from a large portion of the country. You can place wagers on an NCAA program that is not based inside state lines. You still cannot bet on any college player props, regardless of where the program is based.

You can also still bet on a tournament or multi-game event in which a Virginia college team participates, so long as those other games do not have a Virginia team in them.

So in a March in which Virginia, Virginia Tech and VCU are all in the NCAA tournament, you are not locked out of the tournament. You are locked out of exactly three games, theirs. Every other game in the bracket is live. The same logic applies to a conference tournament, a holiday exempt event or a bowl game.

Where to Play: Legal Online Sportsbooks in Virginia

Retail sports betting exists at three casinos:

• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
• Rivers Casino Portsmouth
• Caesars Virginia in Danville

Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics is the most straightforward book in Virginia, and FanCash is why you should hold an account. Every wager earns credit at a flat, visible rate, and it spends on the licensed gear you were probably buying anyway, with Commanders, Nationals, Hokies and Cavaliers merchandise all sitting in the same store.

It's a newer product and it shows. There's no Virginia casino behind it, and the market menu is a touch narrower than some others. But it more than makes up for this in prices, and of course the ability to secure team gear.

Fanatics Promo

1) Get Up To $1000 Matched in FanCash! 

2) Bet $20, Get $350 in FanCash!

Fanatics Promo Code

ACTION26

Action Network Score

9.8/10. See our Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code for more in-depth information and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Terms & Conditions

_{1) New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY. Apply promotion in bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting day of account creation. FanCash rewards will equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash/day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, incl. FanCash terms, apply—see Fanatics Sportsbook app.}

_{2) New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY. Must toggle on this promotion in your bet slip and wager $20+ cash on any market (min. odds -500) within 7 days of account opening to receive $50 in FanCash each day for your first 7 days. Must opt in each day to claim FanCash. FanCash issued in connection with this Promotion expire 24 hours from issuance. Terms apply-see Fanatics Sportsbook app.}

BetMGM

BetMGM makes most sense if you're in Northern Virginia. MGM National Harbor sits just across the Potomac, and the rewards you build betting here spend on rooms and dinner when you get there. The live menu is one of the biggest in the state, especially on alternate lines, and partial cash-out gives you finer control than most.

It also brings some impressive prices for players to explore, alongside a brilliant set of regular and recurring promos and bonuses for all players, new or old. Worth an account for the rewards, the price and promos.

BetMGM Bonus

1) Get Up To $1,000 In No Sweat Tokens Over 10 Days Promotion! 

OR

2) Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win!

BetMGM Bonus Code

1) TANGET 

2) AN1500 

BetMGM Terms & Conditions

_{1) 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. New player offer for new players only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in NJ, MA, MI, NV, NY, ON, PA, PR, and WV.} 

_{2) 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, NC, OH, TN, VA, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-470 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in MA, MS, NY, NV, ON, PR, MI, NJ, PA, or WV. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.}

Action Network Score

9.8/10. See our BetMGM Bonus Code and review for more in-depth information and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
BetMGM vs Other Sportsbooks

bet365

bet365 is the best live product in Virginia and it's not close. Prices come back fastest after a score, and the in-play menu is deeper than BetMGM's. Main-market pricing is regularly the best in the state, and the futures menu goes well beyond what a lot of other U.S. books bother with.

There's no loyalty program at all, and you have to be logged in before you can build a parlay, which is annoying when you're checking prices across three apps. For actually placing bets, this is the one.

bet365 Promos

Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose!

OR

Bet $10, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose!*

bet365 Promo Code

Click to claim promo code TAN365 

Terms & Conditions

$10 min deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customers Only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). Place a qualifying bet of up to $1000 to be eligible for a matched refund in Bonus Bets if your qualifying bet loses. This code is used for marketing and tracking purposes only.

*Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Must be 21+ and physically present where bet365 operates. Please gamble responsibly. New customers only. Claim via app. $10 min. Deposit required. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable and expire 7 days after receipt. Bonus bet wager excluded from returns. Time limits, min. Odds, and T&Cs apply. This code is used for marketing and tracking purposes only. Void where prohibited. Not eligible in IL, TN, and WV. 

Action Network Score

9.5/10. See our bet365 Virginia Bonus Code for more sportsbook details and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
bet365 vs Other Sportsbooks

DraftKings

DraftKings goes deeper on the ACC than anyone else, so if you follow Virginia Tech or UVA through a full season, this is where the alternate lines and the futures actually exist. Golf, tennis, motorsport and international soccer all get proper coverage too.

They also come through with one of the best parlay products in the U.S., in terms of price, markets and alternate lines. Main-market pricing is middling as well. Hold it to compare between books, as they will often come through with the best price.

DraftKings Promo

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets!

DraftKings Promo Code

No code needed!

Action Network Score

9.2/10. See our DraftKings Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about DraftKings and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

DraftKings Terms & Conditions

_{GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.}

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
DraftKings vs Other Sportsbooks

FanDuel

FanDuel is the app most Virginians already have, and it's the easy first account. It's quick, it's clean, and the bet slip tells you exactly what you're getting. Withdrawals land fast once you're verified, and the parlay builder is intuitive and very easy to learn.

The catch is depth. The menu sticks to the big American leagues, so once you go past the Commanders and the NFL you run out of options quickly. It's also rarely the best number on a main line. Great as your first book — learn from it and get a handle on what Virginia sports betting looks like.

FanDuel Promo 

Get $350 in Bonus Bets!

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

FanDuel Promo Code

There is no promo code required to claim the FanDuel offers.

Action Network Score

9.6/10. See our FanDuel Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about FanDuel and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
FanDuel vs Other Sportsbooks

Caesars

Caesars is the only major nationwide sportsbook in Virginia with a proper casino of its own to walk into. Caesars Virginia in Danville gives Southside bettors a real sportsbook rather than a kiosk, and everything you bet, online or in person, feeds Caesars Rewards, which turns into hotel and dining value across the country.

Day to day it's less impressive. Withdrawals take longer than FanDuel's, prop pricing is unremarkable, and the app has been rebuilt more than once without getting quicker. Worth holding for the rewards and the Danville room, not for your everyday bets.

Caesars Sportsbook Promo

Bet $1+, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers!

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code

ACTION22DYW

Caesars Sportsbook Terms & Conditions

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS, ME, NC, PA: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ( 1-800-426-2537 ) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA, Washington, DC: Call 1-800-MY-RESET. ©2026, Caesars Entertainment

Action Network Score

9.3/10. See our Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about Caesars and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
Caesars Sportsbook vs Other Sportsbooks

theScore Bet

theScore Bet is a sportsbook and sports app combined, which suits anyone already checking scores between bets. News, standings and your bet slip all sit in one place, and the layout is cleaner than most of what you'll find in Virginia.

It's the smallest book here, though. The market menu is shallow, there's no Virginia casino behind it to visit, and the brand has changed twice in three years — but each time it has come back with a newer, fresher product that has drawn players. Great as an extra account for line shopping, and perfect for anyone looking to keep on top of the scores on a busy slate.

theScore Bet Promo

Bet Reset up to $1000!

theScore Bet Promo Code

TANBONUS

Action Network Score

8.8/10. See our theScore Bet Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about theScore Bet and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

BetRivers

BetRivers has the strongest Virginia footprint of any book outside the major nationwide ones, because Rivers Casino Portsmouth sits behind it. That's a proper casino floor in Hampton Roads rather than a kiosk in the corner, and everything you bet feeds iRush Rewards, which pays you for how often you play rather than how much you stake.

It's built for smaller stakes. Minimums are genuinely low and the bonus terms are lighter than the market standard, so a $20 bettor gets treated properly here. The trade-off is depth; the props menu runs out quickly once you leave the major leagues. The account you bet from, not the one you shop lines with.

Action Network Score

8.5/10. See our BetRivers Bonus Code and review for more in-depth information about BetRivers and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
BetRivers vs Other Sportsbooks

Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bristol is the anchor here, and it makes this the best option in far southwest Virginia by a distance. If you're closer to Tennessee than to Richmond, this is your nearest real sportsbook rather than a three-hour drive, and the Unity loyalty program carries across Hard Rock hotels and cafes rather than dying at the state line.

The app is genuinely good-looking and quick to move around, which not every book here can claim. It does fall somewhat short on market coverage, which thins out fast once you leave the major leagues. Strong if Bristol is your local, an extra account if it isn't.

Hard Rock Bet Promo

No promo code at this time

Hard Rock Bet Bonus Code

No bonus offer at this time

Action Network Score

9.1/10. See our Hard Rock Bet Promo Code for more in-depth information about Hard Rock and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
Hard Rock Bet vs Other Sportsbooks

Which Virginia sportsbook is right for you?

Have any sportsbooks left Virginia recently?

Yes, operators have entered and exited the market over the last few years. PointsBet, WynnBET, Unibet, Betfred and Golden Nugget have all come and gone since launch, and theScore Bet replaced ESPN BET in December 2025.

DFS Sites in Virginia

Underdog Virginia

Promo 

Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus Entries!

Promo Code

ACTION

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Thrillzz Virginia

Promo 

Bet $10 Get $50 & Free Entry to a $100k Pick'em!

Promo Code

ACTION

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Fliff Virginia

Fliff Promo 

Spend $5, Get $50 + 100% Match Up to $100!

Fliff Promo Code

ACTION

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Dabble Virginia

Dabble Promo 

Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus Cash!

Dabble Promo Code

ACTION

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Betr Picks Virginia

Betr Picks fantasy platform is now available in Virginia!

Betr Picks Promo

Get Up to $210 Back in Bonus, 4 No Sweat Tokens + a Free Pick!

The promotion consists of four $50 max tokens; if the entry loses, you will receive your entry fee back in Betr Bucks (max $200 total). Must be 18+ (19+ in AL & CO; 21+ AZ, MA, & VA) and physically located in a jurisdiction where Betr Picks operates. Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. T&Cs apply. For more details, please visit betr.app. Concerned about your play? Call the NCPG at 1-800-522-4700.

Betr Picks Promo Code

ACTION2

Action Network Score

8.9/10. Check out our Betr Promo Code and review for more info on how the mico-betting app works.

Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
Betr Picks vs Other Sportsbooks

Boom Fantasy Virginia

Boom Fantasy Promo 

Play $5, Get $40 in Bonus Lineups!

Boom Fantasy Promo Code

 

ACTION

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Rebet Virginia

Rebet Promo 

Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $100! 

Rebet Promo Code

 

ACTION1

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Chalkboard Virginia

In Virginia, Chalkboard runs under a Social Sports Picks (sweepstakes) model. You get simple pick’em entries on player/team projections with the ability to play using Coins and CB Cash, and there's no purchase necessary to play or win. CB Cash must be played at least once before redemption.

New users can sign up with our promo code "ACTION" to claim the following welcome offer.

Chalkboard Promo 

Get a 100% Deposit Match up to $100 + Free Pick!

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Are prediction markets available in Virginia?

Yes, prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are available in Virginia.

Federally regulated event contracts on sporting outcomes, offered by CFTC-registered exchanges, are not sports betting, and they are not licensed or supervised by the Virginia Lottery. Any and all of the consumer protections described earlier on this page do not apply to them.

The legal position across the U.S. is unsettled, however: at least a dozen states are in active litigation with prediction market operators, appeals are pending in several federal circuits, and a Supreme Court case is widely expected.

Virginia has not been among the states taking enforcement action, and current residents can play on any of the prediction market platforms.

Kalshi Virginia

Kalshi Promo 

Kalshi Promo Code

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

Owners Box Virginia

Owners Box Promo 

Owners Box Promo Code

Action Network Score

Rating Coming Soon.

PrizePicks Virginia

PrizePicks VA users can select their favorite lineups when signing up for the offer below!

PrizePicks Promo

Play $5, Get $50 in Lineups - Instantly!

PrizePicks Promo Code

ACTION

Action Network Score

9.4/10. See our PrizePicks Promo Code and review for more in-depth information about PrizePicks and step-by-step instructions on how to sign up.

Category	Star Rating
Bonuses & Promotions
Mobile App & Website
Registering & Cashiering
Betting Options
PrizePicks vs Other Sportsbooks

How to Place a Sports Bet in Virginia

It's easy to get started with sports betting in Virginia. Here's how:

Step 1: Choose a Sportsbook

Virginia has a handful of worthy sportsbooks, so eventually you'll want multiple accounts so you can shop for the best lines. But you have to start with one. Let’s start with BetMGM, where you can use our bonus codes TANGET or AN1500 .

Step 2: Sign Up & Deposit

Follow the prompts to set up your account with BetMGM. They may ask for your social security number or driver’s license to verify your identity and age. BetMGM will take you right through the deposit flow. We’d recommend direct deposit via a bank account — that way when you cash out, the money reflects in your checking account instead of being credited back to a card.

Step 3: Verify Your Location in VA

If you’re using a desktop computer, Virginia sportsbooks require you to download GeoComply, a location-tracking software that verifies you're in the state. If you’re on your phone, just allow the BetMGM app to track your location when prompted, and you won’t need additional software.

Step 4: Place a Legal Bet

BetMGM offers fair odds compared to its competitors in a lot of markets. 

• Go to the sport
• Click the line you want to bet
• Click bet slip (or navigate if you’re on a computer)
• Enter your bet amount
• Submit

How Virginia Sports Betting Compares: The Sports Betting Report Card

We graded Virginia on its sports betting bill and its experience relative to other states.

How do you tell whether a Virginia sports betting site is actually licensed?

If you ever question whether a sportsbook is live and licensed, treat the Virginia Lottery's own list as the authority and check it before opening an account. If a site is not on the Lottery's list, it is not licensed here, whatever its claims.

Licensed Virginia books must also display a Sports Bettors' Bill of Rights, which the Lottery Board was required to publish before any permit could be issued.

Why should I play with a licensed VA sportsbook?

There are a couple of major reasons that you should always play with a sportsbook that is licensed in your state, not just in Virginia. The main reason, however, is for your own protection and to protect your money.

All licensed VA sportsbooks have the following things in place to protect their players:

• Cash reserves. Licensees must maintain reserves in amounts set by Board regulation, so the money to pay winning bets actually exists.
• Regulator oversight. The Director can suspend or revoke a permit after notice and a hearing, and impose penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per day.
• Records you can see. Every wager amount, type, time and outcome must be kept for at least three years and disclosed to the Department on request. This is valuable for disputes, resolutions and helping players with their taxes.

An offshore site offers none of this. If it declines to pay you, there is no Virginia regulator to appeal to and no Virginia court that will be able to help you out.

Do you have to live in Virginia to be able to bet on sports?

No, you do not have to live in Virginia. You have to be standing in it.

There is no residency test anywhere in the statute. A Maryland resident on a lunch break in Arlington can legally bet with a Virginia sportsbook; a Virginian sitting in a hotel in Nashville cannot.

The practical requirements to open an account:

• You must be 21 or older. Section 58.1-4040 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly accept or redeem a sports bet from someone under 21.
• You will need a Social Security number, a legal name, a date of birth and a residential address for identity verification, plus government-issued photo ID if the automated check does not clear you.
• Your address can be out of state. What cannot be out of state is you, at the moment you tap the bet button.
• Location services must be on, and on desktop you will be asked to install a geolocation plug-in.

States don't need their own professional team to have a strong sports market. Technically speaking, Virginia doesn't have any pro teams. In fact, Virginia is the most populous U.S state without a pro franchise playing within its borders. But the truth is that Virginia is more or less "home" to all of the Washington, D.C. pro teams, and the fan base is especially strong in northern Virginia. The Washington Commanders (NFL) and Washington Capitals (NHL) even have practice facilities and team headquarters in Northern Virginia.

Pro Sports Teams

NFL Betting in Virginia

Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders is a five-time NFL champion. It won championship games before the Super Bowl era in 1937 and 1942 and then won the Super Bowl in 1982, 1987, and 1991, its most recent Super Bowl appearance. Those three Super Bowl wins tie Washington for eighth-most all-time.

The Burgundy and Gold play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, but not for much longer. Washington reached a deal with the District in 2025 to build a 65,000-seat roofed stadium on the old RFK site, with construction due to begin in 2027 and the venue targeted to open in 2030.

On the field, Dan Quinn enters his third season after a 12–5 run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024 was followed by an injury-hit 5–12 in 2025. Jayden Daniels, no. 5, calls the shots in the huddle, his talent the most impacted by the mentioned injuries. If he stays healthy 2026, could be a great year in DC. 

Commanders Odds

Recommended resource to help you bet smartly on football in Virginia:

• How to Bet on Football Guide
• Check our Expert NFL Picks
• Keep an eye on betting activity and bet/money distribution with our NFL Public Betting data

NBA Betting in Virginia

Washington Wizards

The Wizards are the closest NBA team for most Virginians, as the franchise was for its years in Baltimore. It moved to Washington and played as the Bullets until the name change in 1997, reaching four NBA Finals in the 1970s behind Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes and winning the title in 1978.

Washington plays at Capital One Arena, shared with the Capitals. Brian Keefe remains head coach after the Wizards finished 17–65 in 2025–26, the worst record in the league and a fifth straight season out of the playoffs. The one consolation was winning the draft lottery, giving a young roster another high-end piece to build around, but the draft can so often be fickle. 

Wizards Odds

MLB Betting in Virginia

Washington Nationals

The Nationals have existed under that name since 2005, having previously been the Montreal Expos, an expansion team from 1969 that came close to being contracted before relocating. The franchise won the World Series in 2019, beating Houston in seven games.

Washington plays at Nationals Park on South Capitol Street. The club has not had a winning season since that title, going 66–96 in 2025 before firing both general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez in July. Blake Butera took over for 2026 and, at 33, became the youngest manager in the majors since 1972.

Nationals Odds

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore played in six World Series between 1966 and 1983, winning three behind Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr. The Orioles have not returned since 1983, one of the longer droughts in baseball.

The Orioles play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore. After a 75–87 season in 2025 that cost Brandon Hyde his job, Craig Albernaz was hired for 2026 and has the club hovering around .500 and in the wild-card conversation in the final months of 2026.

Orioles Odds

Recommended resource to help you bet smartly on baseball in Virginia:

• How to Bet on Baseball Guide

NHL Betting in Virginia

Washington Capitals

The Capitals began play in 1974 as an expansion franchise and won their first and only Stanley Cup in 2018, with Alexander Ovechkin finally lifting the trophy. They originally played in Landover, Maryland before moving to Capital One Arena in 1997.

Spencer Carbery is entering his fourth season behind the bench, having won the Jack Adams Award in 2024–25 when Washington took the Metropolitan Division at 51–22–9. The follow-up was a step back: 42–30–9 and a missed playoff spot. Ovechkin, who passed Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goals leader in 2025 and became the first player to reach 900, signed a one-year deal in July for a 22nd season.

Capitals Odds

Recommended resource to help you bet smartly on hockey in Virginia:

• How to Bet on Hockey Guide

WNBA Betting in Virginia

Washington Mystics 

Washington joined the WNBA in 1998 and won its only championship in 2019, led by MVP Elena Delle Donne after back-to-back Finals appearances.

The Mystics play at CareFirst Arena in Southeast D.C., with select dates at Capital One Arena. Sydney Johnson is in his second season as head coach and has taken on general manager duties as well, working with one of the league's youngest rosters after a 16–28 finish in 2025.

Recommended resource to help you bet smartly on basketball in Virginia:

• How to Bet on Basketball Guide

MLS Betting in Virginia

D.C. United

D.C. United was one of the ten charter clubs of MLS in 1996 and an early dynasty under Bruce Arena, winning four MLS Cups along with Open Cups and a Supporters' Shield. It remains one of the most decorated clubs in league history.

United now play at Audi Field in Southwest D.C. The recent record is thinner: the club has not reached the playoffs since 2019, and a 15th-place Eastern Conference finish in 2025 brought a full rebuild under René Weiler, who took over in August of that year.

NWSL Betting in Virginia

Washington Spirit

The Spirit won the NWSL championship in 2021 and have been among the league's strongest sides since, finishing as runners-up in both 2024 and 2025 and winning the 2025 Challenge Cup.

Washington has played full-time at Audi Field since 2022 and trains at the United Performance Center in Leesburg, Virginia. Adrián González is head coach, and Audi Field hosts the NWSL Championship in November 2026.

Recommended resource to help you bet smartly on hockey in Virginia:

• How to Bet on Soccer Guide

College Sports Teams

Virginia loves its college sports, with football and basketball leading the way but, sadly, state law does not allow betting on any of these teams.

College Football Betting in Virginia

Virginia Cavaliers Football

Virginia has been one of college football's great and incisive programs since its inception in 1888. Virginia had 28 straight winning seasons to start its tenure and won 12 southern championships, and they were the first program outside of the Northeast to defeat perennial powerhouse Yale in 1915. Virginia also played a significant role in shaping the game's early code of ethics, eligibility, and safety.

Tony Elliott produced the best season in program history in 2025, going 11–3 with a 7–1 ACC record, finishing alone atop the conference standings for the first time, reaching the ACC Championship Game and beating Missouri in the Gator Bowl. He was named ACC Coach of the Year and signed an extension through 2030.

Cavaliers Odds

Virginia Tech Hokies Football

The Hokies climbed from regional obscurity to national contender across nearly three decades under Hall of Fame coach Frank Beamer, joining the Big East and then the ACC and reaching the BCS National Championship Game in 2000 behind Michael Vick. Lane Stadium in Blacksburg is still recognized as one of the loudest venues and best home-field advantages in the country.

Brent Pry was fired three games into 2025 after a home loss to Old Dominion, and the Hokies finished 3–9. Virginia Tech then landed one of the biggest hires of the cycle in James Franklin, formerly of Penn State, who begins his first season in 2026.

The Hokies play their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, widely recognized as one of the loudest stadiums and best home-field advantages in the country. 

Hokies Odds

Liberty Flames Football

James Madison was a dominant FCS program before moving up, winning national titles in 2004 and 2016, and has adapted to the FBS faster than almost any recent transition. The Dukes play at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg.

Under second-year coach Bob Chesney, JMU went 12–2 in 2025, swept the Sun Belt at 8–0, beat Troy for the conference title and became the first Sun Belt program ever to reach the College Football Playoff, losing to Oregon in the first round.

Liberty plays its home games at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg.

Flames Odds

Old Dominion Monarchs Football

Old Dominion first played in 1930, dropped the sport after 1941 and did not field a team again for almost seven decades, restarting at the FCS level in 2009 before moving up in 2014. The Monarchs now compete in the Sun Belt and play at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk.

Ricky Rahne enters his seventh season off the program's best year in a decade: 10–3, a Cure Bowl win over South Florida and a 45–26 win at Virginia Tech, the first ODU victory over a Power Four opponent.

The Monarchs play their games at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk and are coached by Ricky Rahne. 

Monarchs Odds

James Madison Dukes Football

Liberty's rise has been quick. The program began in 1973 in the NAIA, moved to Division II in 1980, to what is now FCS in 1988 and to FBS in 2018, spending five seasons as an independent before joining Conference USA. The Flames play at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg.

Jamey Chadwell went 13–1 and won the conference in his first season in 2023, reaching the Fiesta Bowl. Liberty then slipped to 4–8 in 2025, the program's first losing record in 20 years, and enters 2026 looking to reset.Recommended resources to help you bet smartly on college football in Virginia:

• College Football Betting Tips for Profitability
• College Football Betting Tips on Fading the Public

College Basketball Betting in Virginia

Virginia Cavaliers Men's Basketball

Virginia won the national championship in 2019 and remains one of the ACC's flagship programs. The Cavaliers play at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville.

Ryan Odom, hired from VCU in March 2025 to replace Tony Bennett, went 30–6 in his first season, finished second in the ACC at 15–3, reached the conference title game and won an NCAA Tournament game as a No. 3 seed before losing to Tennessee in the second round.

Cavaliers Odds

Virginia Tech Hokies Men's Basketball

Virginia Tech first played in 1909 and has had a long, uneven road to relevance at the highest level. The Hokies play at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.

Mike Young is entering his eighth season and will return in 2026–27 after a 19–13 finish and an 8–10 ACC record.

Hokies Odds

Virginia Commonwealth Rams Men's Basketball

VCU became a national name with its Cinderella run to the 2011 Final Four and has been a consistent Atlantic 10 power since joining in 2012–13. The Rams play at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, one of the toughest home environments in the country.

Phil Martelli Jr. took over in 2025 and picked up where his predecessor left off, going 28–8, sweeping the A-10 regular season and tournament titles and reaching the NCAA Tournament's second round.

Rams Odds

George Mason Patriots Men's Basketball

George Mason does not have a long basketball history. Still, the program rose to prominence out of nowhere in 2006 when they made a memorable Cinderella run to the Final Four under longtime coach Jim Larranaga. Before that year, the Patriots had never even won an NCAA tournament game and were one of the last teams in the draw. George Mason plays its home games at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.

Tony Skinn is now the coach, a member of that 2006 team, is in his fourth season and led Mason to 23–10 and an NIT appearance in 2025–26.

Patriots Odds

Old Dominion Monarchs Men's Basketball

Old Dominion first fielded a basketball team in 1930 and won a Division II national championship in 1975. Soon after, Old Dominion made a move to Division I for the 1976-77 season. The Monarchs made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1980 and won their first tournament game in 1986. The Monarchs play their home games at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk and compete in Conference USA. Mike Jones is in his third season after a 12–21 finish in 2025–26..

Monarchs Odds

Richmond Spiders Men's Basketball

Richmond may be a smaller basketball program on the NCAA level, but they have developed a serious reputation as a giant killer when it comes to the NCAA tournament. The Spiders compete in the Atlantic 10 conference and play their home games at the Robins Center in Richmond.

Chris Mooney is entering his 22nd season in charge. Richmond won the A-10 tournament and reached the second round in 2022 and took the regular-season title in 2024, but has fallen back since, finishing 15–17 in 2025–26.

Spiders Odds

Liberty Flames Men's Basketball

Liberty has become one of the more consistent mid-major programs in the country, reaching the NCAA Tournament six times and winning a first-round game in 2019. The Flames moved into Liberty Arena in Lynchburg and compete in Conference USA.

Ritchie McKay, in the 11th season of his current stint, has now won back-to-back C-USA regular-season titles, going 26–8 in 2025–26 and reaching the second round of the NIT.

Flames Odds

Recommended resources to help you bet smartly on college basketball in Virginia:

• How to Bet on College Basketball
• Trends to Know Before Betting Conference Tournaments

Other Events

Virginians love their NASCAR in particular. The state is home to four annual races in the NASCAR Cup Series. The biggest one is at Richmond Raceway, known as "America's Premier Short Track," and even has a "Virginia is for Racing Lovers" visitors center. Martinsville Speedway is another short, speedy track, and many Virginians travel to nearby Bristol, Tennessee, for more big races. Virginia loves Denny Hamlin in particular, who got his start in Chesterfield and is the 2020 Daytona 500 champion.

You can place big bets at some of these Virginia NASCAR races and other key Virginia athletic events:

• ValleyStar Credit Union 300
• Xfinity 500
• Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500
• Federated Auto Parts 400
• Dominion Energy Charity Classic

What are the differences between D.C., Maryland and Virginia for sports bettors?

Northern Virginia, the District and suburban Maryland might be one labor market, but they are three separate gambling jurisdictions.

You may cross between them twice a day, but the rules do not travel with you, and the differences are quite large.

Between different minimum ages, opposite college rules and three completely different tax outcomes, it can get confusing bouncing between state lines. But don't worry, we have gone through and figured it all out for you.

The three States side by side

The only thing that you need to remember is that your account does not determine what you can bet. Your physical location at the moment you place the bet does.

Can I use my Virginia account in D.C. or Maryland?

The account you hold with a sportsbook travels. Most national operators, like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and Fanatics, hold licenses in all three jurisdictions, and one login works across all of them.

What changes as you cross a border is which jurisdiction's rulebook applies to you. Cross the Potomac into the District and your app is operating under a D.C. license, with D.C. restrictions and D.C. markets. Drive up I-95 into Maryland and the same app switches again.

The most visible consequence is the college betting rules. For example:

• Standing in Alexandria, a Virginia Tech game is unavailable to you.
• But if you cross the 14th Street Bridge into the District, it appears, because Virginia Tech is not a D.C. school.
• Cross into Maryland and it appears there too, alongside every Maryland Terrapins game. Maryland permits wagering on its own in-state programs.

The same app, the same account, the same phone, three different boards within twelve miles.

It runs the other way as well. Standing in Virginia, you can bet Georgetown and Howard freely. Standing in the District, you cannot. D.C. prohibits wagering on D.C.-based college teams and on any college game played inside the District, regardless of which teams are involved.

Can a D.C. or Maryland resident bet while in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia's statute has no residency requirement to place a bet, only a physical presence requirement.

One age warning runs the other way. The District's minimum age is 18, lower than the 21 that applies in both Virginia and Maryland.

An 18-year-old who bets legally in the District and then places a bet after crossing into Virginia has committed an offense under Virginia law, and the operator that accepts it has too.

What responsible gambling tools are available in Virginia?

If you or anyone you know is struggling with problem gambling, Virginia has a range of tools, resources and places to reach out to for help.

The Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline is 888-532-3500, by phone or text, free and confidential, and staffed around the clock.

The national line, 1-800-GAMBLER, also serves Virginia. Both take calls from people worried about someone else, not just about themselves.

Every licensed Virginia sportsbook also offers:

• Deposit limits - how much you can deposit in a certain period
• Wager limits - how much you can bet in a certain period
• Loss limits - how much you can lose in a certain period
• Session time limits - a reminder after a set amount of time to take a break
• Cool-off periods and account closure

Set them when you open the account rather than later, as a safety net against problem gambling.

Can I self-exclude from gambling in Virginia?

Yes, you can, and Virginia runs one of the broadest self-exclusion programs in the country.

A Voluntary Exclusion Program enrollment, run by the Virginia Lottery, covers six things at once:

• Account-based Virginia Lottery games
• Sports betting
• Casino gaming
• Charitable gaming such as bingo and raffles
• Fantasy and DFS contests or sites
• Wagering on horse racing, including historical horse racing and advance deposit wagering

Terms are two years, five years or lifetime. There is no one-year option in Virginia. Two years is the floor.

Two- and five-year enrollments can be completed online through the Voluntary Exclusion Program page on the Virginia Lottery website, using an electronic signature.

A lifetime exclusion must be done in person, at Lottery headquarters in Richmond or at one of the operating casinos. Call the Voluntary Exclusion Program office at 804-692-7185 to make an appointment.

If you are worried about gambling and want to be excluded in D.C. and Maryland as well, you can ask the sportsbook to share your name across its corporate enterprise, including with its affiliates.

Ask the operator directly to apply your exclusion enterprise-wide. Virginia's program does not by itself reach Maryland or the District, and neither of theirs reaches Virginia, but a single company's internal list can.

How are Virginia betting winnings taxed?

Very few things changed with the gambling tax in 2026, but some of them make it a little bit harder for Virginia sports bettors.

The federal picture as of 2026

• You report gross winnings, not net profit. Every winning wager is income. Losing wagers are a separate, conditional deduction.
• Losses are now capped at 90%. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act amended the Internal Revenue Code. Your gambling loss deduction is now limited to 90% of your losses, or your winnings, whichever is lower. The remaining 10% is gone.
• You only get the deduction if you itemize. Take the federal standard deduction, $16,100 for a single filer in 2026, and your loss deduction is zero, no matter how much you lost.

The tax picture in Virginia

Virginia taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income. Rates run from 2% to 5.75%, and the top bracket starts at just $17,000 of taxable income, so almost every Virginia bettor is paying 5.75% at the margin. Virginia has no county or city income tax, unlike Maryland.

Virginia Code allows you to deduct federal itemized deductions, including gambling losses, from your Virginia adjusted gross income.

The standard deduction is available only if you have not itemized federally. You must use the same method on both returns.

The consequences are stark. If you take the federal standard deduction, you cannot deduct a single dollar of gambling losses in Virginia either. Your Virginia return will tax your gross winnings.

What deposit and withdrawal methods are available in Virginia?

There are a wide set of depositing and withdrawal methods on offer for Virginia sports bettors. These do often vary by operator and sportsbook, but most of the popular ones are available across the major national sportsbooks. Retail sportsbooks can also differ. All will take cash, but some may have different rules about cards and a minimum deposit.

Can I use a credit card to fund my account?

No, you can no longer use a credit card to fund your Virginia sports betting account.

On July 1, 2026, credit cards were removed from the list of funding methods the Virginia Lottery Director may approve. The law also separately requires every permit holder to take reasonable measures to prevent credit cards being used to fund accounts on its platform.

The state of Virginia did not oppose this law change, as it passed almost unanimously through all levels:

• It was unanimous in the Gaming subcommittee, 9-0
• It cleared House General Laws 21-0
• It passed the House of Delegates 94-3 on January 28, 2026
• It cleared Senate General Laws and Technology 14-0
• It cleared the Senate 40-0 with a committee amendment on March 4

It was signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger on April 13, 2026 as Chapter 926 of the Acts of Assembly, and took effect July 1, 2026.

More Reading on Virginia

To reference Virginia's sports betting bills, see House Bill 896, House Bill 4 and Senate Bill 384.

For supplemental sports coverage, see The Virginian-Pilot, The Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Roanoke Times.

For more on legal sports betting, check out our legalization tracker.

Learn more about the available sportsbooks and promo codes in Virginia:

Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code | BetMGM Promo Code | FanDuel Promo Code | theScore Bet Promo Code | Caesars Promo Code | DraftKings Promo Code | Hard Rock Bet Promo Code

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, our confidential and toll free helpline at: 1-888-532-3500

• Must be 21 years or older
• Learn about Virginia's voluntary self-exclusion program