Sports betting only launched in Virginia in 2020, but the state has one of the largest collections of licensed sportsbooks. So, it’s important for VA bettors to know the ins-and-outs of wagering here.
In this review of sports betting in Virginia, our experts give you the inside scoop to ensure you get the best experience possible when wagering online in the state. Read on to find out how to stay safe when betting online and what to look for when choosing the best sportsbook for you.
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Who is this article suitable for? New and experienced bettors in VA should read on
If you’re a sports fan located in Virginia, this article is for you. Whether you’re just getting started or have been around the block, our guide for sports betting in Virginia will provide you with everything you need to know about picking the best
sports betting apps VA
has to offer.
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The legal history of sports betting in Virginia - A quick success story
Sports betting has only been legalized in recent years, but locals have been wagering since the 1600s. Racing was very popular in Virginia, attracting those with an interest in betting on the horses.
Over the years, dozens of horse racing tracks popped up all over the state. They not only made their money by taking a portion of bettors’ wagers; they also had a stake in some of the horses.
While this was a successful business model, it also led to lots of corruption and collusion. As a result, betting was banned at horse tracks in Virginia 1894. However, some clubs found a loophole and allowed patrons to wager on races taking place
outside of
Virginia.
Virginia’s modern gambling market
Still, it wasn’t until the 1980s that lawmakers started to change their tune about gambling in Virginia. In 1987, the Virginia Lottery was approved and 1988 saw the legalization of pari-mutuel betting. And it was only in 2020 that Virginia made general sports betting legal. Since the state had such a firm stance on its betting ban, legalizing sports betting in Virginia has really shaken things up.
When the law to allow betting websites in Virginia was passed, it allowed for up to 19 licenses to be granted. In the months that followed, top brands like PointsBet, BallyBet, Sports Illustrated, Betway, BetMGM, Caesars, and BetRivers obtained licenses in the state.
In January 2021, FanDuel became the first operator to go live with online sports betting in Virginia. In the days that followed, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, Wynnbet and Unibet also went live. The first year of legalized sports betting in Virginia was a tremendous success. In December 2021, Virginia set an impressive record, as the state to reach $2 billion in handle the fastest.
It is still early days for online sports betting in Virginia, and there are many more exciting developments to come. As more sportsbooks go live and new venues open up, we’ll be here to keep you updated.
Editor’s recommendation - the best sports betting operator for users in Virginia - BetMGM VA
We have conducted in-depth reviews on all available sports betting apps in Virginia, and there is one brand that has stood out. BetMGM VA is our pick for the best sportsbook in Virginia, offering players a generous welcome bonus, great ongoing promotions and plenty of exciting sports betting action.
To kick things off, when you sign up to BetMGM, you’re treated to a first bet offer. Here, you can get up to $1,000 paid back to you in bonus bets if your first bet loses. These bonus bets can then fund more bets for the chance of recouping some of your losses.
Once you have taken advantage of these
bonus codes, there are plenty of great ongoing bonuses for you to enjoy. BetMGM provides bonus bets, a refer-a-friend offer and even site credits. You can also join the BetMGM Rewards program to earn in-person perks like hotel room discount and free meals.
Whether you’re new to betting or an experienced bettor, it’s easy to use BetMGM’s online sportsbook. Everything is laid out in an organized manner, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for with minimal effort. You can browse calendars for each sport, and even add events to your Favorites so you can keep an eye on them.
While there are plenty of great sportsbooks in Virginia, BetMGM really stands out. This operator provides a great experience for bettors of all skill levels.
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Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in West Virginia - Keeping yourself safe while betting online
When you're sports betting in Virginia, it’s important that you take great care to ensure that you’re going to have a safe experience and play responsibly. Here are some of our top tips for ensuring you have a positive experience when playing at the best sports betting sites in Virginia.
Use responsible betting tools
Even if you’re not particularly concerned about your betting behavior, you should still take advantage of the ability to set limits on your gameplay. Not only will this help protect your funds if your phone falls into the wrong hands; it’s also a way to help prevent you from getting carried away when sports betting on Virginia betting apps.
Betting operators allow you to set limits on how much you deposit and how much you wager. You can set these limits on a daily, weekly or monthly basis - which is a great way to help you stick to your budget. Some sites and apps even allow you to set reality check reminders, which alert you to how long you’ve been playing at certain intervals.
Protect your password
If someone were to get hold of your mobile device, you wouldn’t want them to access your sportsbook account, especially if you have payment information saved. So, make sure that your password isn’t saved. It’s also a good idea to enable fingerprint verification.
Have a look at user reviews
Review sites are your friends. They can provide you with unique insight into the kinds of issues that players report when playing at specific sports betting sites. If some issues that crop up happen to be big deal-breakers for you, this should give you a good idea of whether an app is worth signing up to. Of course, reading expert reviews is also important. At PromoGuy.com, we review sportsbooks based from the perspective of professionals and experienced bettors.
Find out about fund protection
In the gambling industry, things can change in an instant so you have to make sure that your deposits are protected in the event that your sportsbook should ever shut down on short notice.
Have a look at the operator’s About Us or Security page, and they should mention that player funds are held in a separate account. This way, you’ll know that you’ll always have access to your deposits and winnings.
Check that the app is licensed by the Virginia Lottery
As the sports betting market in Virginia continues to grow, more and more apps will go live and it may become difficult to keep track of which ones are licensed by the local gaming authority. You never want to play at an unlicensed operator and a quick check of the VA Lottery website will let you know which brands have been licensed and are held to a high standard when it comes to player protection and ensuring fairness among their operations.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Virginia residents? - How we find the best Virginia sportsbooks
When looking at the best sports betting sites in Virginia, we evaluate important features that will affect your gaming experience. These are some of the issues that we delve into so you know exactly what kind of service you’ll be getting while sports betting in Virginia:
Wagering requirements:
We outline the wagering requirements attached to the operator’s bonuses and let you know if they are fair and affordable in the grand scheme of themes.
Bonus offers:
In addition to welcome bonuses, we also cover the other
sportsbook promotions
available from the betting sites and apps we review.
Site layout and design:
Over reviews evaluate the overall look of an app or site and let you know if it has a user-friendly interface.
Payment methods:
We take a look at the various deposit and withdrawal options available from each operator, as well as additional fees and processing times so you know upfront what to expect.
Finding the right operator for you - Think of your personal preferences
When it comes to sports betting in Virginia, the caliber of operators makes it difficult to choose exactly where the best place to play is. So, it’s up to you to decide what the most important aspects are of betting online for your own personal experience to help you make your ultimate decision.
When do you like to play?
Look out for a site that has 24-hour live chat customer service, so there will always be someone to assist you if you prefer to bet at unusual hours. This is especially helpful for night owls.
Do you have niche sports interests?
If you’re into less mainstream sports, make sure you browse the markets of various betting apps to make sure the kinds of activities you want to wager are available.
Are you interested in offline rewards?
For some of us sports betting in Virginia, we like to get perks that translate into the real world. If those are the kinds of offers you enjoy, keep an eye out for operators that feature rewards programs that offer free meals, hotel stays and other perks at the land-based properties.
What types of bonuses do you prefer?
Depending on the type of bettor you are, you’re sure to prefer some types of bonuses over others. Some players prefer to take advantage of first bet promos while others enjoy getting a match bonus while making a deposit. While operators try to be diverse, some sportsbooks certainly specialize in one type of offer. So, keep your eyes peeled for sportsbooks that mainly provide the type of promos you enjoy.
Conclusion - Stay updated with VA betting developments
Sports betting in Virginia is a huge market with plenty of amazing operators providing top-notch service to bettors in the state. There are some fantastic places to play with impressive bonus offers and a wide variety of betting markets available.
We want to make sure you have the best experience possible when using Virginia sportsbooks and will keep our app and bonus reviews updated. So, check back often for new information about the top sportsbooks in Virginia.
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Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
❓What is the legal sports betting age in Virginia?
Every state in America has a different legal gambling age. In some states, it’s 19 and others is 21. In our state betting guides, we’ll let you know exactly how old you have to be in order to legally bet on sports and pick up some of the
sports betting promo codes VA
has to offer, so check us out!
⚖️Which online sportsbooks are legal in Virginia?
Virginia actually has one of the biggest selections of legal sportsbooks in the country. At PromoGuy.com, every
sportsbook review
we carry out will let you know which ones offer the best service and promotions, so be sure to have a browse of our helpful guides.
✨ What is the best bonus available for sports betting in Virginia?
Among sportsbooks in Virginia, the competition is pretty stiff as most operators provide some incredible
betting deals. Still, some operators provide more generous bonuses than others, and we’ll point you in their direction with our informative bonus reviews.
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Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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