Who is this article suitable for? Anyone interested in Virginia online gambling
We would say there are two key criteria with regards to who this article is best suited to. First and foremost, it’s aimed at people who are residents of Virginia. Naturally, when answering questions like ‘can I gamble online in Virginia?; that’s only relevant to people from that state. So, people wanting to learn about Virginia online gambling from a legal perspective can benefit from our guidance here.
Beyond that though, this article caters to those looking to take things a step further. It’s for people who are not just looking to see if they can enjoy online gambling in Virginia, but also who wish to find the absolute best Virginia sportsbooks available online.
The legal history of sports betting in Virginia
In truth, most of what is relevant with regards to gambling in Virginia – certainly with online gambling in Virginia – comes very recently. But, as is the case with most things, they often have their genesis elsewhere.
The earliest associations of gambling that Virginia residents may have seen were on the riverboats, which housed famous floating casinos. Despite being widely known about, they were never made legal, although there have been many attempts to do so, especially in the 1990s. There was also the single famous racetrack in Virginia called the Colonial Downs, which opened in 1997.
Other relevant pieces of history include the Virginia Lottery, which was established in 1988, and betting booths were made available to the public in 2004. All of these, though, were footnotes for the version of online gambling Virginia sees today.
The legality of Virginia online gambling
In 2020/2021, laws came into effect which allowed for both land-based casinos to open and new betting sites USA to operate in the region. We believe it’s for this reason we’re asked ‘can I gamble online in Virginia?’ so much more often than other states. These changes have just been implemented, so they are new and, for many, unexpected.
To be clear though, these laws don’t extend to online casinos. It’s not that, as far as our legal understanding goes, online casinos are illegal in Virginia, but rather they exist in a kind of legal grey area because the matter has not been completely cleared up in terms of regulation. However, in practical terms, online casinos may as well be illegal in the state because no operator can gain licensing to legally provide casino services to Virginia. This means that any online casino gambling you do will be at your own risk.
On the plus side, Virginia online gambling on sports is broadly defined, with only some restrictions on youth sports such as college football games really standing out as notable exceptions.
As for what the future holds, well, we don’t have a crystal ball and truthfully, there doesn’t seem to be much movement to make online gambling in Virginia extend to online casinos. That said, the recent legislation was a surprise, so you never know what could be around the corner.
Editor’s recommendation – the best sports betting operator for users in Virginia
Considering the short amount of time online gambling in Virginia has permitted online sports betting, it’s reasonable to assume that there aren’t many great Virginia online betting sites for residents of Virginia to choose from. However, that’s not the case. We’ve been amazed by the speed at which so many high-ranking USA sportsbooks online have made themselves comfortable in the new world of online gambling in Virginia. In fact, we think that residents of Virginia will be spoiled for choice when gambling in Virginia, especially considering that people have lots of different tastes.
So, in order to help you figure out which Virginia online gambling options might be right, we have produced this review to help you navigate the choppy waters. So who is our top recommendation you ask? After much research, we have chosen FanDuel as our top selection for Virginia online gambling sites. Why? Well, they’re a very American-focused site, meaning we think they’ll cover more of the markets that bettors from that jurisdiction will enjoy.
In addition, they offer great promotions with a $2,000 risk-free welcome offer and a risk-free same game Parlay bet, as well as bet boosts, which are available the second we entered the site. On top of that, the site is simply a joy to use from a design and user experience standpoint. Put simply, when it comes to online gambling in Virginia – while we can certainly understand that people may prefer other sites – we wouldn’t say any have a broader appeal than FanDuel.
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Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in Virginia
Regardless of which type of online gambling Virginia experience is right for you, there’s one thing we can all agree on and that’s that nothing matters more when it comes to betting online than to ensure you are safe. This stands to reason whether you are playing at the best betting sites Illinois has to offer or are loading up at your favorite Nevada online gambling sites. Really, we shouldn’t just be asking ‘can I gamble online in Virginia?’ but ‘can I gamble safely online in Virginia?’.
The good news is that the answer is yes, but only if you make sure that you’re utilising quality, trusted, and secure bookmakers. With that in mind, here’s five Virginia online gambling tips to ensure that you remain safe:
Ensure you’re using a licensed site for your state
The first step to making sure you’re safe when betting online – and this is the case with any state, not just online gambling in Virginia – is to make sure that the site is properly licensed for your state. To do this, you’ll first need to make sure you are on the version dedicated to online gambling in Virginia.
Because in the United States, gambling laws operate through distinct jurisdictions with their own laws, there are often many different versions of a betting site for each relevant state. This is often made clear in the actual name and URL of the site. The license itself is usually found on the bottom of the page.
Make sure encryption is implemented to secure your data
The safety of online gambling sites is paramount to secure sensitive financial information that’s involved. To make sure that yours is safe, only use a betting site that protects you using encryption. Most make this clear somewhere on the site, but you can ask customer service if you are unsure.
Don’t settle for uncompetitive odds
We’re not just talking about the safety of Virginia online gambling sites here, but fairness too. That’s why it’s also important to ensure that you’re getting fair odds. After all, better odds mean more winnings if your bets are successful. There are two simple ways of doing this: one is to compare it to the competition and the other is to only consider operators who have a good reputation in this regard.
Only go for promotions that have fair terms and conditions
Another point on fairness here: the difference between good and bad promotions largely comes down to terms and conditions. These essentially dictate the real value that a bonus provides you with when everything is said and done.
Particularly important considerations include wagering requirements, time limits, and available markets. Put simply, if a bonus does not deliver something that improves your betting experience – especially if the terms are objectively weak – then look elsewhere.
Utilize our guides and reviews
Everything we have discussed above, and much more, are covered in our reviews and guides. Most importantly, we do not recommend anything which doesn’t adhere to our very strict standards. This means that we’re the perfect shortcut to ensuring you have a safe and fair betting experience because we do all the legwork for you.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Virginia residents?
As suggested by our above section on security, that’s far from all we look for when finding you the best online gambling Virginia has to offer. Each bookmaker is, of course, taken individually and on its own merits, but with that said, here are 10 key things that are common throughout all our analysis and investigations:
Security
We’ve already discussed this at length so won’t repeat ourselves again here, other than to reiterate that security is of prime priority when it comes to our Virginia online gambling recommendations.
In addition to assuring that the terms and conditions are objectively fair, we also consider the broadness of the appeal of the bonus, as well as simply how much value and enjoyment we think people will get from it.
Site design
This might not be people’s first priority for online gambling in Virginia but, with so many great options available, there’s simply no need to settle for a site that looks like a dog’s dinner. We’re not here to give style tips but that basic usability standards are expected.
Site experience
Arguably even more vital to your online gambling in Virginia enjoyment is the experience side of design. This comes from technical quality, structure, and ease of use – in other words, how enjoyable using the actual site is.
Mobile options
We’re well aware many people prefer to bet on mobile now, so we take those options every bit as seriously as the desktop equivalent.
Market variety
The more, the merrier we say. So long as the betting markets are interesting and fair, why not have as many sports and ways to bet as possible?
Odds quality
Again, this was mentioned as part of security but odds quality is also vital to both your enjoyment and experience with the site. No single operator can be best all the time but we’d never recommend anything that didn’t offer a consistently high odds standard.
Customer service
From the Help section to actually talking to the team directly, customer service is a vital part of providing practical help when needed as well as ensuring there is a personable side to your Virginia online gambling experience. At Wetten, we personally test them to ensure they are up to standard.
Unique features
In today’s crowded betting market, bookmakers need to stand out above the rest. Offering new features, assuming it is actually something people may enjoy, is always a consideration when it comes to ranking highly in our reviews and analysis.
Reputation
No matter how exhaustive a review process is, it can’t compare to the experience of thousands, sometimes millions, of real customers. That’s why we research, and take very seriously, the general experience of the customer and an operator’s reputation before making a final decision on whether to recommend them to you.
Make sure you sign up with a quality operator
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21+ and physically present in VA only. Terms & Conditions apply. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, VA Council on Problem Gambling on their confidential and toll free helpline at: 1-888-532-3500.
Finding the right operator for you
We can give you all of the information you need to ensure that you choose between the absolute finest operators that Virginia online gambling has to offer. However, there’s an extra step to make it absolutely perfect and, unfortunately, we’re limited in how much we can assist you.
This is where you take all of the information about different betting sites in the state and put your own spin on it. That’s because ultimately, betting sites don’t just come down to objective quality but also personal preference. With that in mind, here are five key questions you can ask yourself to help find the perfect fit for you from all the Virginia online betting sites out there.
- How important is mobile gambling to you?
- Are you a casual gamer or more of an experienced high-roller – and how does that impact the kind of promotions that would best add value to your experience?
- What kind of style/vibe/ambience floats your boat in terms of site design? Similarly, how tech-savvy are you?
- What kind of sports and markets are you looking for?
- What banking options do you need?
If you can answer these five questions, alongside our expertly checked recommendations and guides, you should have all the tools you need to find your way to online betting nirvana.
Conclusion: A vibrant betting selection in Virginia
Considering that gambling is big business, and plenty of major players have already quickly adapted to being available in other legal states, we were expecting some decent options in Virginia. However, like the online gambling Iowa situation, the sheer volume of amazing options for Virginia residents has truly amazed us.
We hope that by using our guide to online gambling in Virginia, you’ll be able to see through some of the legal red tape. Plus, by understanding the criteria to consider when choosing the best Virginia online gambling operator for you, you will be objective in your decision. If you want a place to start, our recommended bookmaker is a great example of the level of quality that’s out there.
The best bonuses to get started with
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Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
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Players from Virginia accepted
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5 x $50Bet Credits
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4.
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
5.
$100 Second Chance Bet
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 3x Bonus
21+ and physically present in VA only. Terms & Conditions apply. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, VA Council on Problem Gambling on their confidential and toll free helpline at: 1-888-532-3500.
Virginia Online Gambling Sites FAQ
✅Is online gambling legal in Virginia?
The legal situation surrounding gambling in the United States can be confusing, especially seeing as it varies from state to state. That’s why it’s understandable why some people may be confused as to whether online gambling is legal in Virginia, and whether they can safely access betting operators within their state. Thankfully, our handy guide has all the answers for you, along with expert advice on how to find the right operator for you.
❓How can I find the best betting site for me in Virginia?
With such a wide variety of quality betting operators out there, we’re truly spoiled for choice. However, that can make it difficult to find the betting site which is the best-fit for you and how you like to wager. There are so many different considerations, from security to market variety and odds quality, as well as its availability within your state. On top of that, there’s also personal preferences to take into account. Our expert guide, reviews, and recommendations can help you find your ideal betting fit in Virginia.
💻Is betting online in Virginia safe?
There’s nothing more important than your safety when it comes to betting online. After all, you’ll be inputting sensitive personal and financial information into operators’ sites, so it’s absolutely crucial you know they’re secure. There are a number of different ways you can check the legitimacy and security of your chosen betting operator and our expert guide will take you through these important considerations, so you can wager with complete peace of mind.
💰Do Virginia betting sites offer promotions?
Many betting operators provide promotional offers for new and existing customers. These encourage you to pick their site over the competition, and they reward long-term loyalty. If you’re looking to bet online in Virginia, you may be wondering whether these bonuses are available to you. Well, we’ll be answering all your questions, including how to assess the true value of an offer and determine whether it’s worth your while.
