Virginia Sports Betting: How to Bet & Unlock New User Bonuses June 2023

Virginia sports betting is totally available right now! As long as you’re of legal wagering age (21 years or older), you can sign up for a new sports betting app with LINEUPS.com promo codes for a big deposit match bonus or bet credits

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Virginia Sports Betting is Live

The Virginia sports betting industry initially launched on January 21st, 2021. Sports fans in the state can now sign up for 14 different sportsbooks, including BetMGM sportsbook Virginia, PointsBet Sportsbook Virginia, FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia, Caesars Sportsbook Virginia, and DraftKings Sportsbook Virginia. Promo codes for deposit matches and first bet bonuses can be found on this page.

There is plenty to wager on right now, with the NBa Finals featuring a showdown between the Miami Hear and Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights are preparing to square off against the Florida Panthers in this year’s Stanley Cup Finals. Plus, the summer will be filled with betting opportunities on the MLB and WNBA regular seasons.

This Virginia sports betting guide helps bettors find the top promo codes out there.

Virginia Sports Betting Recent Updates

  • May 1, 2023: The March 2023 sports betting handle for Virginia is revealed to be $511.6 million.
  • April 29, 2023: With their first round pick, the Washington Commanders select Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
  • April 21, 2023: Five NFL players are suspended for betting-related violations, including Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney.
  • March 30, 2023: With the Kentucky Derby coming up, horse racing app DK Horse launches in the state of Virginia.
  • February 18, 2023: Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy becomes the new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders.

Virginia Sports Betting News

The Washington Commanders are one of the most popular teams in the state of Virginia. After an offseason rebranding, Washington is looking for a big 2022 NFL season. The team got off on the right foot, with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team in the midst of a rebuild. However, the team wasn’t able to take down a second straight rebuilding team with the Detroit Lions, who took down the Commanders 36-27. Interestingly, it was the first game in which the Lions were betting favorites in years. Washington faces a tough task in Week 3, with the visiting Philadelphia Eagles looking for a divisional win. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Washington Commanders as 6.5-point underdogs.

Virginia Sports Betting June 2023 Update

Virginia flagVirginia legalized its sports betting market in 2020, becoming the second state in the U.S. to confirm legal sports betting. With a targeted timeline around Q1 2021, Virginia sports betting launched in January of 2021. The Old Dominion State quickly became home to some of the top online sportsbooks, such as FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook, and DraftKings Sportsbook.

Virginia wasn’t as quick to roll out sports betting as nearby Washington D.C., which was available in May of 2020. Neighboring Maryland, on the other hand, is attempting its own online sports betting launch after December 2021 saw the opening of retail sportsbooks in the area. Virginia is now following suit as the state just launched its first retail sportsbook on July 8, 2022. Hard Rock opened a sportsbook at their temporary casino in Bristol so Virginians can go in person and place bets of their choice.

With legal sports betting fully available to Virginia bettors, here’s what you need to know before you sign up for your first sportsbook.

Mobile Sports Betting Apps in Virginia

The window for applying to secure a mobile sportsbook license to operate in Virginia ended in October 2020 and DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel, have all seen their licenses approved. All of those sportsbooks have now launched and are taking bets right now!

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1. DraftKings Sportsbook App

DraftKings parlayed a massive daily fantasy sports customer base into one of the most successful sportsbook operations in the U.S. DraftKings was officially the second online sportsbook to launch in Virginia on January 24, 2021.

DraftKings will extend to new Virginia sportsbook registrations the same $1,050 welcome bonus package. The package contains a $1,000 deposit match bonus that is matched at a 20 percent rate. This means that a $5,000 first-time deposit will earn you $1,000 in bonus money. It also includes an exclusive offer of a $50 bonus bet that you can get using the Lineups.com links provided.

DraftKings Bonus

Caesars Logo Icon 150x150 12. Caesars Sportsbook App

Caesars has a solid reputation as an internationally recognized bookmaker. The U.S.-based company has been operating for more than 80 years. Caesars has climbed to the top as one of the largest sportsbooks in the United States. Following its acquisition of William Hill and full rebranding, Caesars now has one of the best platforms in the sports betting industry. Caesars Sportsbook launched in Virginia on February 3, 2021.

The welcome bonus offer currently being offered is up to a $1,250 bet on  Caesars based on your first deposit, with a $50 deposit minimum requirement. The only thing that you need to do to earn this bonus is use the promo code “LINEUPSFULL” when creating your account. The deposit match is paid out in a single bet credit. You will also get a 1,000 Tier Credits and 1,000 Reward Credits®.

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code $1,250 Bet

3. BetMGM Sportsbook App

betmgm sportsbook apple icon 150x150BetMGM brings an international pedigree to the Virginia sports betting market. They operate the sports betting part of MGM Resorts International. MGM is one of the largest betting and casino businesses in the world. Their reputation will be a key to their Virginia success. BetMGM Sportsbook launched in Virginia on January 27, 2021.

MGM already has a regional presence at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. This should bring enough awareness to give MGM an inside angle in Virginia. BetMGM will include a $1,000 first bet offer when you use promo code “LINEUPS” in Virginia. An initial wager of $1,000 on your first bet would be fully refunded in site credit if it did not hit. The same goes for a $200, a $400 bet, and so on.

BetMGM Bonus Code

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4. BetRivers Sportsbook App

BetRivers is a major sportsbook that has been part of the American betting market since its start in 2018. BetRivers has seen some amazing success in states like Illinois, where it was able to get its sportsbook operational quickly. BetRivers launched in Virginia on January 27, 2021. BetRivers does offer a quality product with loads of wagers and promotions for its customers.

BetRivers Sportsbook is offering new customers in Virginia a 2nd chance bet up-to $500. New users can make a first bet up-to $500 that, if it doesn’t hit, will be credited back to your account. If you win your initial bet up-to $500, you’re good to withdraw or keep wagering.

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5. FanDuel Sportsbook App

Like its DFS rival, FanDuel Sportsbook is now live in Virginia as of January 21, 2021. Virginia sports fans can find that FanDuel has extended its welcome bonus of a $1,000 no sweat first bet to Virginia using our exclusive promo link. This $1,000 no sweat bet allows you to wager up to $1,000 and receive that full wagered amount in a bonus bet if you lose your initial bet.

FanDuel will likewise be a high priority as the operator of a physical location if voters approve any of the five pending referendums. The FanDuel platform repeatedly scores near the top of sportsbook app reviews. Expect FanDuel to be highly competitive in Virginia.

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6. Bet365 Sportsbook VA

Bet365 sportsbook has recently launched in Virginia and they are offering $200 in bonus bets as a new user bonus when you bet just $1. They offer live betting, parlay building, and unique betting markets. You can use the desktop or download the mobile app and begin wagering today.

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7. PointsBet Sportsbook App

pointsbet appPointsBet is now fully available in Virginia! One of the most popular sports betting platforms out there, PointsBet offers both an Android and iOS app for users to bet with.

The current welcome bonus for new PointsBet users is a total of $250 in second chance bets. Basically, in addition to a fixed odds bet of $250, in the form of $50 credits with a losing bet each day.

PointsBet Promo Code

Best Virginia Sportsbook Promo Codes

When you register for a new sportsbook in Virginia, you can take advantage of some major welcome bonuses. DraftKings Virginia offers one of the top signup bonuses, giving new users a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1,000 as well as a $50 bonus bet when they click through this link to activate the DraftKings Promo Code. Caesars Sportsbook is also giving new users a major boost, with a $1,250 bet when they sign up with the Caesars Promo Code “LINEUPSFULL”.

FanDuel Sportsbook, another big name that started out as a DFS platform, gives new users that click through this link to activate the FanDuel Promo Code a $1,000 no sweat wager. BetMGM Virginia also gives new users a $1,000 first bet offer with the BetMGM Bonus Code “LINEUPS”.

PointsBet Virginia offers 5 bet credits up-to $250 via this PointsBet link. Each credit is worth up-to $50 and they are doled out separately. If you prefer to start out with bonus money, you can sign up with BetRivers Virginia, which gives a $500 2nd chance first bet to anyone that registers with the BetRivers Bonus Code “LINEUPS”.

Virginia Sportsbook Apps

Virginia Promo Codes

Virginia Bonus Details

DraftKings Sportsbook VANo Code - Claim Bonus$50 Bonus Bet
$1,000 Deposit Match Bonus
Caesars Sportsbook VALINEUPSFULLUp To $1,250 Bet On Caesars + 1,000 Tier Credits and 1,000 Reward Credits®
BetMGM Sportsbook VALINEUPS$1,000 First Bet Offer
BetRivers Sportsbook VALINEUPS2nd Chance Bet up-to $500
FanDuel Sportsbook VAClick Here For Promo$1,000 No Sweat Bet
Bet365 Sportsbook VAClick ThroughBet $1 Get $200

How to Bet on Sports in Virginia

Virginia has made the process of signing up for a sportsbook account and placing bets very simple. While each sportsbook has a slightly different process, you can follow these four simple steps to place your first bet today:

  1. Visit the Sportsbook’s Desktop Site or Mobile Application – don’t forget to use one of our exclusive promo links to get the best signup offer available
  2. Register for an Account and Provide Basic Information to Verify Your Identity – provide our bonus code such as “LINEUPS” for BetMGM or “LINEUPSFULL” for Caesars
  3. Deposit Money Into Your Account – most sportsbooks provide a number of ways to do this and make it very seamless and fast
  4. Locate the Sport You Want to Bet On and Place Your Bet – navigate the menu to find the sport or prop market you would like to place a wager on and use the bet slip to make your first bet!

Virginia Sportsbook Deposit Methods

When you register for a new Virginia sportsbook, the final part of the sign-up process is to make your initial deposit with the platform. Each of the sports betting apps available in the state has a wide variety of different deposit methods. The most common way to deposit is generally through credit cards and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. However, there are plenty of other ways to bank with your new sportsbook. Online payment methods are popular, with Paypal, online bank transfers, and PayNearMe being common options. You can also deposit through gift cards, prepaid cards, ACH, and even physical deposits at casino cages at certain locations.

Virginia Sportsbook Ongoing Promotions

With so many sports betting apps available in the state of Virginia, bettors can take advantage of plenty of different promotions in addition to signup promos from LINEUPS.com promo codes. For example, BetMGM Sportsbook offers one-game parlay insurance for different sporting events. Meanwhile, Caesars Sportsbook offers plenty of specialized profit boosts on individual teams or player performances. Both DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook offer plenty of weekly promotions as well, such as insurance or boosts on certain parlays. BetRivers Sportsbook also has some interesting promos centered around same-game parlays, with some giving you the opportunity for bets.

Physical Virginia Sportsbooks

At the moment, there are no retail sportsbooks located in Virginia. Unlike many other states, Virginia doesn’t require online sports betting sites to partner with brick-and-mortar casinos in order to launch. However, that will likely change sooner rather than later. While there are currently no retail casinos in the Old Dominion State, four cities in the area (Norfolk, Danville, Portsmouth, and Bristol) have fully approved casino construction. And, once these retail casinos are up and running, you can expect a wide range of physical sportsbooks to try and join in. While the convenience of an online sportsbook operator is tough to ignore, some bettors simply prefer retail sports betting for its classic feel.

Virginia Sports Betting Legal Timeline

betting timelineVirginia has shifted into high gear with its sports betting launch. There could eventually be up to 18 betting choices for sports bettors. Let’s take a quick look at the legal timeline for how we got here. Like many states, discussion over legal sports betting whispered through legislative bodies even before the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban.

However, despite removing a federal ban on sports gambling in May 2018, many states were still unable to push new laws across the finish line. Virginia’s lawmakers debated sports betting proposals for most of 2019.

It took until April 2020 for a pair of bills to pass both chambers. The governor made a couple of minor adjustments to each piece of legislation. Lawmakers signed off on the handful of changes and announced on July 1, 2020, that sports betting would become legal in Virginia.

One inherent part of the new law was a two-month period before any official process could begin. The Virginia Lottery Board was designated to oversee the writing of regulations. Between July 15 and September 15, a series of drafted regulations were crafted.

The Lottery Board published the final list of Virginia sports betting regulations in September. Two months later, the Lottery Board opened a two-week window for sportsbook apps to make an application for a license.

There are twelve open license spots in the current legislation. Five additional licenses will be granted if five communities opt for physical sportsbooks on a November ballot referendum. One license has been left open as a potential bargaining ploy to lure a professional sports franchise to Virginia.

Most feel this is an open-ended offer to the Washington Football Club to relocate from Washington, D.C., building a new home in Virginia. Since there are no immediate provisions for physical sportsbook locations, this means likely sportsbook apps do not need to partner with a state-approved casino.

This is one positive aspect of Virginia’s sports betting law. However, the legislation also limits certain types of betting. There will be no betting permitted on any of the Virginia college teams. In addition, the popular in-game betting offered by many sportsbook operators is also prohibited in Virginia.

There are still a few questions about which sportsbooks will grab up the remaining spots in Virginia. There’s an appealing $250,000 license that earns a three-year active status. In addition, Virginia has imposed a reasonable 15 percent tax on sportsbook revenue. Virginia is fast becoming a prime sport for sportsbook lovers.

Virginia Sports Betting Market

As of September 2021, Virginia has reported just under $1.5 billion in its total sports betting handle including over $125 million in revenue, $9.6 million of which has gone to taxes, with an 8.5% hold for sports betting operators.

Virginia has an overall population of roughly 8.5 million residents. Over one million of these individuals live in Virginia’s five largest cities. Some may mistakenly assume the cities with the largest number of residents would include Richmond, the state capital.

However, Virginia Beach has nearly twice as many residents as any pairing of the next three biggest cities combined. Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Richmond all hover just under a quarter-million residents, while Virginia Beach continues to press closer and closer to 500,000.

Newport News sits in the number five spot, but only a few thousand residents ahead of Alexandria and Hampton. All four of Virginia’s most populated cities rank with the U.S. top-100. If location matters, it’s clearly part of Virginia’s sports betting projected future.

Of the five most populated cities in the state, only two are on the short-list of locations with pending referendums to allow onsite casinos. These proposed casinos will most likely house any brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Virginia.

Three of the cities on this list have less than 100,000 residents, with Bristol boasting barely over 16,000. However, when targeting Virginia’s sports bettors, Bristol sits right on the I-81 line bordering Tennessee. In fact, many Bristol residents call Tennessee their home state.

This is a prime location to draw bettors across the border from the Volunteer State. Danville has nearly three-times the number of residents as Bristol, but likewise, it borders a state that currently prohibits sports gambling.

Expect North Carolina residents to be ready to cross state lines to bet on their favorite teams. Nevertheless, the city pushing the location angle more than any of the others is Portsmouth. Portsmouth sits adjacent to the large Norfolk area.

Both bids for physical sportsbook locations in Norfolk and Portsmouth will draw directly from Virginia’s largest city, Virginia Beach. A direct connection across the Chesapeake Bay to two of Virginia’s top-10 biggest cities, Hampton and Newport News, is also a bonus for Portsmouth.

Regardless of where the actual brick-and-mortar locations launch, Virginia has led with online sports betting ahead of physical sportsbooks. The necessity to partner with a physical casino to secure an online license does not exist in Virginia.

Every state that has launched online sports betting shows a dramatic difference in revenue from online sports betting instead of bets placed in person. It is dramatic. While Virginia doesn’t have a professional team of its own, Baltimore and D.C. are prime targets of Virginia sports lovers.

Ironically, a professional team in Virginia could draw immediate sports betting interest plays in one of America’s more obscure sports. Some sportsbooks are posting lines on rugby games. The Northern Virginia Eagles play in the USA Rugby League.

Now, there are several college teams in Virginia. Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Commonwealth are part of Division I NCAA conferences. Richmond is another Virginia college team that plays a major college schedule.

George Mason, James Madison, William and Mary, and Old Dominion are also DI schools. There is only one major issue that is currently part of Virginia’s sports betting rules. Virginia college teams are off-limits for sports bettors.

However, until this changes, Virginia residents will not be able to place bets on their home state teams. Many sports betting enthusiasts will watch the progress of Virginia’s online-only sports betting opportunities. The state’s draw to multiple professional team fan bases should offset the inability to bet on Virginia college teams.

virginia sports betting legal guide

Key Aspects of Legal Sports Betting in Virginia

It wasn’t exactly an easy road for Virginia to finally end up legalizing sports betting. After some failed attempts in previous years, Governor Ralph Northam finally helped Virginia get over the hurdle. Once Northam received both bills, he sent them both back to the state legislature with his own recommendations. It didn’t take too long for both chambers to agree to Northam’s changes and help push the bills along. One of Northam’s biggest changes was adding a $50,000 background checking fee for the sports betting operator’s major employees. The Virginia Lottery Board is tasked with determining what exactly qualifies as a major employee.

Under the new sports betting laws in Virginia, teams that are part of the four major sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL) and located in Virginia can apply for a sports betting license. One of the biggest reasons this was added to the bill was to try and attract the Washington Redskins to relocate to Virginia. Another addition that Governor Northam added was to include NASCAR tracks into the bill. Lawmakers approved this, and now the state’s two major racetracks (Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway) can apply for a sports betting license as well.

Under the bills that passed, Virginia will require a $250,000 licensing fee. Not only is that a reasonable price but unlike other states, that $250,000 is an annual fee. Instead, that fee will be good for a three-year window, essentially boiling down to just over $83,000 a year average.

Sports betting revenue will be taxed at 15 percent, which is more on the higher side. The good news for Virginia bettors is that mobile sports betting is also legalized. This is a big win for Virginia as it has been clear across the country that mobile betting is the preferred betting method from the majority of sports bettors. Without online betting, states are hindering revenue. With the current Coronavirus situation, it is also important to have mobile betting as it is unknown how long casinos will be closed or limiting the number of people inside.

There is currently no in-person betting in Virginia, and while legislators are hopeful this can be added in the future, the entirety of the Virginia sports betting market is mobile for the time being.

Fun Facts:

1. An interesting part of the passed bills is a call for casino expansion in Virginia. Five cities are now eligible to build new casinos (Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond).

2. On the less popular side, Virginia will also require official league data for live-betting purposes. Betting on in-state college teams is not permitted.

3. The Virginia Lottery Board is responsible for overseeing legal sports betting in Virginia, and they have a deadline to come up with rules and regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sports betting legal in Virginia?

Yes. Sports betting became legal in Virginia on July 1, 2020. Virginia legislative rules require 60-days for regulations to be written and amendments to these regulations posted. There is a 90-day window required to finalize regulations. The first day of mobile betting was on January 21, 2021.

Is mobile sports betting legal in Virginia?

Mobile sports betting legislation passed in July 2020. Temporary regulations were announced on July 15, with an update released a month later. The Virginia Lottery Board published final regulations on September 5. On October 15, the application process was opened. In January of 2021 sports betting launched.

Are there physical sportsbooks in Virginia?

To date, there are no physical sportsbook locations open in Virginia. The mobile sports betting market has been very successful so far and it’s very easy for consumers to place sports bets from the convenience of their homes, so there doesn’t seem to be a rush to add physical sportsbooks to the market at this time.

Who manages sports betting in Virginia?

Under the current legislation approved by Governor Ralph Northam, the Virginia Lottery Board will be entrusted with the management responsibilities for the state’s sports betting operations. This will include the current online sportsbook application process, and those licenses issued to physical locations.

Who can bet on sports in Virginia?

Virginia legislators set the minimum age to bet legally on sports at 21 or older. However, there is not a Virginia resident restriction on signing up for an account. A sports bettor only needs to be inside the Virginia border to register and bet using a sportsbook app account.

Can I bet on Bovada in Virginia?

Offshore sportsbooks are not legal in Virginia. The safety and security of Virginia sports fans is one of the compelling reasons behind the lawmaker’s decision to make sports betting legal in the state. While a bettor may not be prosecuted, Bovada is not legal in Virginia.

What sports can I bet on in Virginia?

The Virginia sports betting law will permit sports bets to be placed on any professional sport that is posted by the sportsbook operators who secure Virginia licenses. However, the law strictly prohibits betting on any of Virginia’s college teams, including in-game betting on college sports.

Where does the tax revenue go from sports betting in Virginia?

Tax revenue generated by legal sports betting in Virginia will be dispersed according to need. All money will be funneled through the Virginia Lottery Board. Some revenue will go into the Virginia education fund, while local governments in need of money will also be in line for funds.

What is the best sports betting mobile app in Virginia?

You’ve got plenty of choices when it comes to picking a sports betting platform in Virginia. Some of the most popular books in the state include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook. Additionally, PointsBet, WynnBET, and BetRivers have all gained plenty of fans in the state.

When will online sports betting start in Virginia?

You can bet right now! DraftKings Virginia and FanDuel Virginia both went live in the state in late January. You can now bet on sports with either of the two major sportsbooks in the state. Sports betting is completely online in Virginia, including registration.

FanDuel Sportsbook App Review
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Name: FanDuel Sportsbook App Review

Description: FanDuel Sportsbook is rated as one of the top sports betting sites and mobile apps in the American betting market. FanDuel Group is owned by Flutter Company.

Operating System: iOS, Android

Application Category: Game

Author: Matthew Amato

  • Promotions
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  • Sports
  • Wagers Offered
4.7

Summary

FanDuel Sportsbook’s greatness is highlighted by the number of different wagers offered. On top of this, FanDuel is always running tons of amazing promotions for its loyal customers.

Well Done

  • Tons of wager variety
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Needs Help

  • Support options are limited
  • No deposit match bonus
Calvin is a sports betting enthusiast that has been in the business for over 10 years. He has created successful betting formulas for seven different sports. way too serious Packers, Mets, and Avalanche fan that hates everything Pittsburgh, despite living there.