Virginia Sports Betting

In November 2018, a comprehensive sports betting bill was introduced. The "Virginia Lottery Law" was set to be considered during the 2019 legislative session. With oversight delegated to the Virginia Lottery, the bill would permit sports betting on a wide variety of events, but not any involving Virginia-based colleges or certain youth sports.

In April 2020, the Virginia state legislature passed SB 384 and HB 896, allowing more than two dozen sportsbooks to apply for the right to operate in the state and up to 12 licenses were available through the Virginia Lottery.

Virginia sports betting went live in January 2021 with online-only wagering, later supplemented by retail sportsbooks at newly opened casinos in Portsmouth, Bristol, and Danville. By 2026, Virginia’s market features a mix of nationally recognized mobile brands and locally partnered operators, with the Lottery running an annual permit application window each May.