Virginia (VA) Sportsbooks: Best Sports Betting Sites & Apps – December 2024

Yes. Virginia legalized sports betting on April 22, 2020. Nine months later, online sports betting launched in the state on Jan. 21, 2021.

Online sports betting is legal in Virginia for anyone aged 21 or older who is physically present within state lines. They can wager on a wide variety of sports and teams, including the professional teams in nearby Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Betting on college sports is not permitted in Virginia, however.

You can use one or more online sportsbooks in Virginia. Here’s what to look for when deciding which sportsbook websites/apps to try first.

• App functionality: The app should work smoothly with fast load times, quick odds updates and an easy-to-use interface.
• Betting market variety: Having a variety of sports and betting markets to wager on is key, especially if you’re interested in niche markets or international sports.
• Betting odds: Odds should be competitive compared to other sportsbooks, otherwise you’ll miss out on potential profit.
• Customer service: You’ll want reliable support options in case you have any questions or run into issues with your account.
• Live betting: The ability to quickly wager on events that are already in progress is important, as odds are constantly shifting.
• Payment methods: Having several different convenient payment options available like credit/debit cards, online banking and digital wallets to fund your account.
• Promotions: Featuring a strong welcome offer for new users along with promotions for existing customers like referral bonuses and odds boosts.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the online sportsbooks in Virginia that meet our recommended criteria. All of the following sportsbooks rate highly for the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Based in Boston, DraftKings is one of the largest and most well-known online sportsbooks in the U.S. It’s available in numerous states, including Virginia.

A premier daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator as well, DraftKings offers an impressive array of betting markets, particularly prop bets and futures.

It has plenty of odds boosts, a strong rewards program and a Parlay Builder tool that makes it easy to combine multiple wagers into a single bet with higher odds.

DraftKings is also the official betting partner of the UFC and offers a wide range of markets on MMA/UFC fights.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in bonus bets if first bet wins
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NH, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, WV
Offer Expires	Jan. 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.5/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

FanDuel ranks with DraftKings in popularity and availability across the country.

Like DraftKings, FanDuel built its reputation as a top DFS site before sports betting became legal in the U.S. in 2018. It is now one of the top online sportsbooks on the market as well.

FanDuel stands out with its slick, easy-to-use interface, which many bettors consider the best in the industry. FanDuel’s app is easy to navigate, helping users quickly find the bets they are searching for.

FanDuel isn’t just about appearances, either. It also rewards users with odds boosts, a strong welcome offer and good customer support.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5+, get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.9/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

As the sports betting arm of MGM, BetMGM delivers on the hype. With an impressive array of betting markets, strong promotions and quality customer service, it has everything a sports bettor could want.

Like DraftKings, BetMGM makes building parlays and same-game parlays easy with its “Build Parlay” button under each sporting event.

BetMGM also has a unique “Edit My Bet” feature that allows bettors to modify eligible wagers even after the game has started.

Category	Description
Offer	Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses
Promo Code	FORBES
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Feb. 10, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

Caesars is another sportsbook that keeps bettors happy, especially with all of its odds boosts. Caesars might have the most odds boosts of any sportsbook in the industry, offering dozens every day on a variety of sports.

Beyond that, Caesars has plenty of regular bets, too. It has a vast menu of betting markets and options, plus an enticing welcome offer.

It also has a strong rewards program and frequent promotions for loyal customers along with a “FireBets” feature that makes live betting quick and easy.

The interface makes it easy to find prop bets and parlays as well, making Caesars a quality experience for sports bettors.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $1, get 10 $100% profit boosts
Promo Code	FORBES1000
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	All bet types
Availability	AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Offer Expires	11:59 a.m. local time on Jan. 27, 2025
Apple Store Score	4.7/5
Google Play Store Score	4.3/5
Date Verified	Nov. 25, 2024
Claim Bonus

Fanatics is one of the newest sportsbooks on the market, debuting in 2023 after merging with PointsBet.

The mobile app is sleek and modern, highlighting daily odds boosts and pre-built parlays for bettors. It also tailors the home page based on the sports and bet types you typically wager on, creating a customized experience.

Fanatics’ biggest plus might be its robust rewards program, which gives bettors a percentage of every bet back in FanCash. FanCash can then be used for bonus bets at the sportsbook or as site credit at Fanatics’ retail website, where you can purchase merchandise and apparel of your favorite teams.

Category	Description
Offer	Get daily $100 no-sweat bet for 10 straight days
Promo Code	N/A
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	$1+, min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NY, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY
Offer Expires	Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.4/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

After decades of building its brand as one of the best sportsbooks in the world, Bet365 is doing the same in the U.S.

Bet365 isn’t overly flashy or overstuffed with bells and whistles, but it does everything well. One perk is that it offers tons of international and niche markets not found at standard American sportsbooks.

Another plus is that Bet365 lets new customers choose between two welcome offers, whereas most sportsbooks only offer one.

Bet365 may look simple at first glance, but it gets the job done.

Category	Description
Offer	Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets OR get up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first bet loses
Promo Code	FORBES (U.S.), FORBESCAN (Canada ex. Ontario)
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	Min. -500 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, PA, VA
Offer Expires	TBD
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.6/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

Similar to Bet365, BetRivers isn’t trying to do too much. Instead, it provides a more simplified and streamlined approach to betting, making it a good choice for newer and casual bettors.

That said, BetRivers has most of the basics you’ll find at other sportsbooks, including a welcome offer, odds boosts and customer support. It might not look or feel super modern, but everything you need is there.

If you’re looking for a smaller-scale sportsbook with a local feel, BetRivers fits the bill.

Category	Description
Offer	Get $100-$500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses (depending on state)
Promo Code	SPORTS
Requirements	New users only, 21+ and in eligible state
Eligible Bet Types	Min. -200 odds
Availability	AZ, CO, DE, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV
Offer Expires	TBD
Apple Store Score	4.8/5
Google Play Store Score	4.7/5
Date Verified	Nov. 26, 2024
Claim Bonus

Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images

Virginia was one of 17 states that ESPN BET launched in when it debuted in November 2023. Its app provides a smooth betting experience with its modern interface, quick load times and easy navigation.

ESPN BET has a solid welcome offer, exclusive odds boosts and rewards for existing customers like deposit matches and cash back on bets. It also has good customer service and fun tie-ins to its parent company. It features promos and tie-ins that correspond with ESPN personalities and shows.

Hard Rock Bet debuted in January 2019 and is affiliated with Hard Rock Casino. It has a clean, modern app that’s easy to use along with exclusive daily odds boosts, good market depth and solid promotions.

Hard Rock Bet launched in Virginia in May 2022.

We’ve taken the time to sample and research numerous sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the best in the industry. These rankings can help you decide which ones to try first.

Our rankings are based on scores in the following categories:

• App reviews 
• Availability across states
• Size of welcome offer 
• Ease of claiming welcome offer
• Rewards program
• In-app streaming capabilities
• Existing user promos
• Customer service options

Below, we’ll break down each category and why they’re important to your sports betting experience. Then we’ll rank our favorite sportsbooks and explain what makes them stand out.

Criteria

Here are the factors we considered when constructing our list. 

App Reviews

A quick and easy way to get a sense of a sportsbook’s quality is by comparing user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since ratings are out of five stars, you’ll generally want a sportsbook that’s well-regarded with an average score of at least four stars.

You can also dive into specific user comments to get a sense of what people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring complaints or issues. This can be helpful for features that are hard to gauge until you actually use the app, like lagginess or customer service.

Many commenters are there to complain, so don’t put too much stock in specific reviews. 

That said, if you notice common themes throughout the comments, consider it a warning for issues you may encounter with the app.

State Availability

Each state handles sports betting differently. Some states allow both in-person and mobile sports betting, while others might only allow in-person sports betting or have a hard cap on the number of mobile sportsbooks permitted. 

Accordingly, sportsbooks vary by state, as each state has to approve a sportsbook before it can launch there. No sportsbook is available in every state with legal online sports betting, but a few have launched in the majority of them.

Generally speaking, the more states a sportsbook is available in, the better. That means it’s more likely to be available in your state, a bordering state or a state you’re likely to travel to, making it easier and more convenient to use. That way, you’ll be able to take your sportsbook with you rather than needing to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.

While smaller “local” sportsbooks usually offer profit boosts and other bonuses based on hometown teams, they’re usually only available in a handful of states at most, offering limited availability.

Size of Welcome Offer

This is an important one. How much free money will a sportsbook give you for signing up?

Most sportsbooks have welcome offers to entice new customers, but it’s important to know how these offers work. Just because an offer has a higher dollar amount attached to it doesn’t necessarily make it better.

Some sportsbooks have “bet and get” promotions where you receive bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of money. For example, you might get $200 in bonus bets just for placing a $5 wager. You’re essentially getting free money to bet with.

Other sportsbooks have “no-sweat” offers that give a bonus bet only if your first bet loses. 

For example, if you place a $20 bet after signing up and it loses, you’ll receive a $20 bonus bet, similar to a refund.

These offers tend to wow bettors with larger amounts than “bet and get” promos, often going up to $1,000 or $1,500. However, you’ll only receive a bonus bet if your first wager loses, in which case you’ll need to use the bonus bet to try to win your money back. If your wager wins, you’ll receive your cash winnings like a normal wager but won’t receive any bonus.

Accordingly, “no sweat” offers generally aren’t as good as “bet and get” promos. 

When comparing sportsbooks, it’s better to focus on welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you site credit no matter what.

Ease of Claiming Welcome Offer

The size of the bonus offer won’t matter if it’s difficult to claim. 

The best sportsbook bonus offers are as easy to claim as they are generous, being simple and straightforward without requiring you to jump through hoops.

The best bonuses are guaranteed and hit your account instantly as soon as you place your first bet. They’ll also be easy to follow and won’t require you to check a bunch of boxes to get your bonus.

Some sportsbook bonus offers require you to make multiple wagers or wait days or weeks to unlock your full bonus. This can be inconvenient, especially if you’re trying to get your full bonus ahead of a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or March Madness.

More complex offers can be a pain, so we prefer simplified offers with fewer requirements.

Rewards Program

If you bet often and are planning to use a sportsbook frequently, a strong rewards program is essential.

Loyalty programs differ by sportsbook. Some give you rewards points for each bet, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other rewards. Others offer big rewards like free trips, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events and more.

On the other hand, some sportsbooks don’t have any rewards. That might not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for frequent sports bettors.

It’s like paying for something with cash versus a credit card. If you place a bet at a site without a loyalty program, you’re missing out on points elsewhere.

In-App Streaming Capabilities 

While bigger sports like football or basketball are usually only available to watch via traditional cable or streaming services, some sportsbooks offer the ability to stream smaller sports in the app, which is a benefit for bettors.

For example, FanDuel‘s app often streams tennis matches, which makes it easier to follow the action and place live wagers. 

Beyond just offering live streaming, we also considered how laggy the stream was, how much battery it used and the amount of events available to stream in the app. 

Existing User Promos

Most sportsbooks have some type of welcome offer to get new customers in the door, but where they really differ is with their promotions for existing customers.

Some sportsbooks offer a slew of daily promotions like odds boosts, no-sweat bets, bonus bets and more to keep customer coming back every day. Others only offer these sparingly, however, if at all.

One key existing user promo to consider is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks have some type of referral bonus for getting someone else to sign up, but the amount can differ ($50 per person, $100, $200, etc.). If you’re planning to bet with friends or family, this can be a great way to score bonus bets for you and them.

Similar to a rewards program, you’ll want a sportsbook with frequent offers for existing customers if you plan to bet frequently.

Customer Service Options 

Strong customer service options are a must for any sportsbook considering most disputes or calls involve someone’s money. 

High marks were given to any sportsbook that offered 24/7 customer service (sporting events often end at night, after all), while points were deducted if a sportsbook relied on a FAQ page as a key part of its customer service profile. The more options for contacting customer service (email, chat, phone, etc.), the better.

Customer support is essential to guaranteeing a smooth sports betting experience. If a problem arises, it’s important to have it handled quickly and effectively.