The best sports betting sites in Virginia in 2024

Bet MGM

BetMGM was one of the first legal Virginia sports betting operators to launch in January 2021. This is an operator that is now live in numerous states where sports betting has been legalized, and is one of the most respected names in the industry.

MGM is, of course, already a well-known name thanks to its decades in the leisure and casino world. By linking up with Entain, the owner of several hugely experienced sports betting brands in the UK, it created BetMGM and set about tackling the newly legal sports betting market in the USA.

BetMGM delivers one of the Virginia sportsbooks with the most comprehensive offering across numerous sports. It also scores highly for the Edit My Bet feature that allows you to change the terms of your wager even when an event is under way.

FanDuel

FanDuel is a name that is regularly found at the top of the league table in any state where sports betting has been legalized.

There are two good reasons for this. One is the high profile that FanDuel built up among sports enthusiasts during its years as a leading provider of Daily Fantasy Sports games. The other is the sheer excellence of the sportsbook it has created since.

FanDuel is highly regarded for the choice of sports on offer, the quality of its bonuses and ongoing promotions, and for innovations such as same-game parlays – it was a pioneer in this particular field.

However, where it scores most highly for both casual and committed bettors is the excellence of the user experience both on its website and the FanDuel sportsbook app. This is, quite simply, a great place to bet.

DraftKings

DraftKings is another brand that made itself a familiar name through Daily Fantasy Sports, then pivoted superbly to embrace the possibilities offered by the legalization of online sports betting.

As a result, DraftKings is live in numerous states and enjoys impressive results wherever it operates. It was one of the first brands to put some serious heft into the development of a great sports betting app, and has backed this up with plenty of other innovative features.

One of these is the carousel that appears when you sign into your account. DraftKings uses your betting history and your wagering preferences to offer bets that it knows will be particularly attractive to you.

Add in the extensive choice of sports and markets, and the quality of its user experience, and it is no surprise to see DraftKings rated as one of the very best destinations for sports betting in Virginia and elsewhere.

PointsBet

In Virginia’s competitive sports betting market, you need to offer something different to stand out. PointsBet certainly does that.

This is an Australian brand that has moved with impressive speed to enter the US market and is now live in several states. One reason it stands out from the crowd is its unique system of PointsBetting.

You can place fixed-odds wagers here. But with PointsBetting, the size of your win – or loss – is determined by the margin of victory or defeat of the bet you placed. That adds an extra layer of excitement, and many bettors enjoy the extra challenge posed by PointsBetting.

PointsBet is also known for its creative bonuses and promotions. A good example is their bonus bet offer. This lets you play with up to $100 on each of the first five days after signing up.

Caesars

Caesars is a name synonymous with casinos – but the quality of its sportsbook in the many states where it has gone live means that more and more people now associate it with sports betting.

Caesars took a giant stride in this direction when it acquired the respected UK sports betting brand William Hill. Its aggressive marketing campaigns and generous welcome offers for new customers have raised its profile.

Caesars also stands out for the quality of its rewards program. Caesars Rewards gives you the chance to earn plenty of exclusive prizes, which can also be used at the many casinos operated by the company across the USA.

BetRivers

BetRivers is known for being quick off the mark in states where sports betting is legalized, and it was one of the first Virginia sportsbooks to launch in January 2021.

BetRivers is another brand steeped in casino experience that offers an excellent rewards program that gives plenty back to customers who enjoy both sports betting and casino play.

The quality of the BetRivers app has won plenty of admirers, particularly those who enjoy in-play wagering. Live betting is a strong feature of the BetRivers proposition, and it’s backed up by the ability to live stream many of the events on which you place a wager.

BetRivers is now live in more than a dozen states. The strength of its online offering and the quality of its rewards program are just two reasons why this brand is highly sought after.

Unibet

Unibet moved quickly to attract customers in many territories before it gained a place at the table in the USA. Virginia is one of half a dozen states where Unibet is now live and bringing its extensive expertise in sports betting to increasing numbers of new players.

Unibet is strong when it comes to promotions – its welcome offer to VA sports betting customers is a bonus bet worth up to $500, and there are plenty of other bonuses to follow for existing customers.

It carries markets on a wide range of sports, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy live betting and streaming on the website and app.

WynnBET

Wynn is a name synonymous with casinos, thanks to its luxury resort on the Las Vegas strip. However, it has made serious inroads into the sports betting space and now has licenses to offer online sports wagers in about 10 states, including Virginia.

WynnBET went live in Virginia in March 2021 and, interestingly, is partnered with NASCAR rather than simply holding a stand-alone license. The range of sports on which you can wager isn’t the biggest but WynnBET scores highly for the quality of its promotions. Its welcome offer, for instance, gives you $200 in bonus bets in return for a single $10 wager.

Given the size of the Wynn empire, it is clear that WynnBET is a serious competitor that is here to stay in Virginia and in many other states where sports betting is legalized.

Barstool

Barstool entered the sports betting space having made a name for itself in sports content. They were known for edgy, outspoken and controversial content on sporting issues of the day.

That gave Barstool a high profile, which it has leveraged in its entry to the sports betting space. It now holds licenses in several states, including Virginia.

The sportsbook itself is impressive. The range of sports available is extensive and what makes Barstool stand out is the opportunity to earn branded merchandise as an alternative to more traditional rewards such as new player bonuses. It’s different, it’s edgy – and it’s going to be fascinating to see how Barstool fares in the long term.

Golden Nugget

Golden Nugget is a familiar name in Vegas, but besides the resort, it’s also a top Virginia sportsbook. In the wake of the legalization of sports betting in various states, Golden Nugget has gained a license to operate in several of those states. It delivers an impressive, user-friendly wagering experience that appeals to novice and experienced bettors alike.

There is a solid welcome offer of a bonus bet worth up to $250, and a rewards program that enables you to qualify for free play the more frequently you use the site.

The Golden Nugget sportsbook app is quick and easy to use, and there are plenty of sports for you to wager on. This is a brand that, with relatively little fanfare, is carving out a decent niche for itself in Virginia and elsewhere.

NASCAR

NASCAR is extremely popular across the USA – and nowhere more so than in Virginia. The state is home to no fewer than four races in the NASCAR Cup Series. Martinsville Speedway and the Richmond Raceway both attract enormous crowds to watch the high-speed action. As a result, there is a high level of interest when it comes to Virginia online sports betting on NASCAR, and Virginia sportsbooks offer plenty of options to wager on the big local races, as well as other events across the calendar.

Football (NFL)

Football is the biggest sport in terms of fan base across the USA, and it generates significant levels of wagering throughout the NFL season. Indeed, the Super Bowl is widely believed to be the biggest annual sports betting event anywhere in the world. Virginia may be without its own NFL team, but the Washington Commanders has its practice facilities here – and there are discussions over the possibility of the team moving to a new stadium in Virginia. The presence of many other NFL teams in states close by helps to ensure a serious amount of Virginia sports betting on the league.

Basketball (NBA)

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the USA. There is substantial interest in the NBA regular season, and in the NBA Finals. Basketball is also a sport that lends itself to plenty of wagering opportunities, especially in play. Virginia hoops fans may have no local team to root for, but plenty follow the fortunes of the Washington Wizards, while other nearby teams such as the Charlotte Hornets also draw support from the Old Dominion. Virginia sportsbooks will always see a steady level of interest in wagering on the NBA and other leading basketball leagues around the world.

Baseball (MLB)

Baseball is one of the sports that will always enjoy a high profile among American sports fans and bettors. The length of the season, the status of the World Series and the deep historic roots of the game all ensure a steady level of interest in baseball. Virginia may be without a Major League team of its own, but the proximity of the Washington Nationals ensures that many fans in the state offer them their support. There have been many attempts to relocate an MLB franchise to Virginia in the past – maybe one day it could happen.

Hockey (NHL)

Hockey enjoys a solid national profile these days, and Virginia fans – without a team to root for on home soil – have a couple of nearby franchises to support. The Washington Capitals get plenty of support from those based in the north and east of the state. The fact that the Caps won the Stanley Cup as recently as 2018 can only have helped their standing in Virginia. Many hockey fans further south in the state lend their support to the Carolina Hurricanes, and the sport’s profile ensures a consistent level of wagering interest in the NHL here.

NCAA Football

College football attracts a high level of support across the USA. Virginia is no exception, given the presence of several prestigious football programs at institutions across the state. The Virginia Cavaliers, the Old Dominion Monarchs and the Virginia Tech Hokies all play in the FBS, the highest level of college football in the country. However, under Virginia’s gambling laws, wagering on games involving teams based in the state is prohibited. While betting on events in which non-Virginian sides are playing is permitted, this is a poor substitute for being able to wager on one of the local sides that carry such big support.

NCAA Basketball

There is huge interest in college basketball throughout the calendar, and particularly in the NCAA men’s championship – universally known as March Madness. Virginia has several colleges with outstanding basketball teams. However, the laws governing Virginia sports betting are simple; no betting is allowed on events involving teams based in the state. So you wouldn’t be allowed to wager on one of the Virginia Tech Hokies’ games. Inevitably, that affects the handle on college basketball for all companies involved in sports betting in Virginia.