VA Betting Guide
In the United States, you probably know that it’s not unanimously legal in all 50 states. If you’re in VA, you’re in luck because this is one location where you’re authorized to bet on sports. Legal sports betting is the best because you have no fear of questionable sites to spend your money. The fight for sports betting began over a decade ago when New Jersey wanted to legalize wagering.
New Jersey led the charge all the way to the Supreme Court, and many states followed. Virginia was not first to the betting party, but wagering is now legal, unlike some states throughout the country.
PASPA was used by the professional leagues, teams, and NCAA to block legal online wagering in the United States. The leagues changed their stance when they realized it was inevitable and they would fiscally profit.
The Supreme Court sided with New Jersey and ended PASPA. This gave states the right to legalize online sports betting, and Virginia was quickly on the minds of lawmakers in the Commonwealth. Virginia sports betting is coming along, and the state is making noise as one of the smaller markets. Even though Virginia is not a massive state for betting sites, it can still be overwhelming at first.
This is why we crafted our guide to help you sift through online sports betting in Virginia. By the end of the article, you’ll be an expert in a variety of different areas of wagering in the Commonwealth. We’ll tell you about the best sites, gambling rules and answer some FAQs that people typically have throughout the guide. By the end, you should be ready and equipped to win on sports betting in VA.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia?
Sports betting is legal in Virginia, and it’s helped elevate the state’s gaming industry. The potential framework for Virginia betting is massive, with close to 20 operators being allowed in the state.
In April 2020, the Virginia General Assembly accepted Governor Ralph Northam’s amendments to the state’s two betting bills. The two pieces of legislation were HB 896 and SB384.
The combination of these two bills legalized sports betting in the state. The law took effect on July 1, and final regulations were published on the 15th of September. Mobile sports betting didn’t go live until the 21st of January, 2021.
This delay between regulations and the launch is normal, so don’t let this shape your opinion about VA betting. If you’re ready to start wagering in the state, let’s get into the initial steps.
How to Start Betting in Virginia
It’s very easy to start betting in Virginia. Since mobile betting is the main way people wager in the state, you can register directly from your phone. However, Virginia betting has two major requirements.
If you pass these, you’ll be able to start betting immediately . You must be 21 years of age and located in the state to bet on sports. Virginia betting uses your phone’s geolocation to ensure you’re in the state. This can be frustrating but a reality of legal sports betting in every state.
If you fit these two steps, download the sportsbook of your choice. All platforms are available on the App or Google Play store. There are a bunch of books to choose from, and there’s no limit to the amount of registrations in Virginia.
The more books you register for, the more opportunities you’ll have to win big. When you download your sportsbook app, click the registration button at the top of your screen.
You’ll be asked to fill out various pieces of information like your name, address, birth date, and social security number. Once your account has been created, it’s time to begin betting.
Input a banking method, and you’ll be able to start betting. Investigate the markets on the sportsbooks you’re utilizing because it’ll help you win more money in the long run.
Which are the Best Licensed Sportsbooks in Virginia?
The best-licensed sportsbooks in Virginia are DraftKings, BetMGM, and BetRivers. These three sportsbooks are outstanding because they have a lot of money to spend on bonuses for players.
The bonuses will make you a happy bettor. There are two types of bonuses and promotions that you will find as a new Virginia betting participant. The first is a deposit match when sites will double your deposit up to a certain amount.
The second is a risk-free bet where sportsbooks will return your money in free wager credits if your initial stake doesn’t hit. There are many good books in the state, but these three stand above the rest.
Virginia Gambling Regulations and Rules
Virginia’s primary rules that bettors must understand is the age and location regulations for legal wagering. The state can have a maximum of 12 online skins and five for retail betting facilities.
However, if professional sports teams relocate to Virginia, they will be awarded an online betting skin. Every applicant must pay $250,000 to apply, and this is nonrefundable.
Once they’re approved, they must pay an additional $250,000 to receive the license. The permit is good for three years, and then operators must pay $200,000 to renew the fees.
Organizations That Operate in Virginia
The National Council on Problem Gambling is an excellent resource for people in the state. If Virginia betting becomes a personal problem, you should contact this organization for help.
They’ll steer you in the correct direction to help you get back on track. If you need additional help, the Virginia Council on Problem Gaming can direct you to more help.
How to Know a Sportsbook is Safe
All the legal sportsbooks part of Virginia betting are safe. States have legalized sports betting with the intention of safety and security. Virginia betting is no different.
Don’t utilize an offshore book, and you’ll be in great shape. Offshore sports betting platforms are where you may encounter trouble.
However, there’s no reason to use these platforms when you have all the legal books at your fingertips. The legal sportsbooks are required to comply with many rules, or they will lose their Virginia betting license.
Stick with the books on our list, and you’ll be a very happy bettor.
What to do if you encounter any problems
If you encounter problems with any of the legal sportsbooks in the state, head over to the platform’s customer service hotline. Most of the sportsbooks have numbers and live chat features for you to have issues solved quickly.
Problems are bound to happen for Virginia betting. The sportsbooks are dealing with technology and millions of dollars. It’s not easy to be perfect.
Available Sports in VA
We provide betting picks for free and from professional handicappers on Basketball, Soccer, Ice Hockey, Baseball, and Soccer, including MLS and international leagues and tournaments. Of course, we cover all major leagues in the U.S., NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. Don’t forget to compare the odds between the different sportsbooks we’re partnered with before you place your bets.