Online Gambling in Virginia (2026) | Laws, Sports Betting & Casino Guide
Quick Legal Status
| Field | Status |
|---|---|
| State | Virginia |
| Online Casino Games | ❌ Not legal — 2026 iGaming bills stalled; expected 2027 session |
| Online Sports Betting | ✅ Legal — live since January 21, 2021; 12 licensed operators |
| Online Poker | ❌ Not legal — no separate authorization |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ Legal — since 2016 (Virginia was first state) |
| Brick-and-Mortar Casinos | ✅ Legal — 4 casinos now open |
| State Lottery | ✅ Yes — Virginia Lottery; draw games and 150+ instant games online |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 (sports betting and casino) · 18 (lottery, DFS) |
| Regulatory Body | Virginia Lottery (sports betting); Virginia Gaming Control Board (casinos) |
| Last Legal Update | 2026 — HB 161 / SB 118 iGaming bills stalled in conference |
Legal Overview
Virginia has one of the largest online sports betting markets in the US, but online casino gaming is not yet available. Sports betting launched January 21, 2021, with 12 licensed operators now active. Four commercial casinos have opened. DFS has been legal since 2016—Virginia was the first state to formally enact DFS legislation.
Online casino gaming (iGaming) bills HB 161 and SB 118 passed their respective chambers in 2026 but stalled in conference. Both included reenactment clauses requiring passage again in 2027. If 2027 succeeds, a regulatory buildout means live iGaming is not expected before 2028.
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What’s Legal
- Online sports betting: Fully legal since January 21, 2021. 12 licensed operators. Age: 21.
- Brick-and-mortar casinos: 4 open: Hard Rock Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Caesars Virginia (Danville), Norfolk interim gaming hall. Petersburg operator approval January 2026 — status unconfirmed.
- Daily fantasy sports: Legal since 2016 via Fantasy Contests Act. FanDuel and DraftKings operate. Age: 18.
- Online lottery: Virginia Lottery at valottery.com — draw games and instant games. Age: 18.
- Horse racing / pari-mutuel: Colonial Downs in New Kent.
What’s Not Legal
- Online casino gaming: HB 161 and SB 118 stalled in 2026. No licensed online casino platforms in Virginia as of 2026.
- Online poker: No separate authorization. Falls under absence of iGaming regulation.
Key Legislation
| Year | Law / Event | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Fantasy Contests Act | Virginia becomes first state to formally legalize DFS |
| April 2020 | HB 896 signed — Virginia Lottery designated as sports betting regulator | Framework set for legal sports betting |
| January 21, 2021 | Online sports betting launches | First licensed operators go live |
| 2020–2025 | Casino authorization referendums | Voters in Bristol, Portsmouth, Danville, Norfolk approve casinos; Richmond vote failed |
| 2026 | HB 161 / SB 118 — iGaming bills pass chambers | Stalled in conference; reenactment clause means 2027 passage needed; live iGaming not before 2028 |
Regulatory Structure
| Authority | Jurisdiction | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Lottery | Online sports betting, DFS oversight, state lottery | valottery.com |
| Virginia Gaming Control Board (VGCB) | Commercial casino licensing and oversight | vgcb.virginia.gov |
Licensed Sports Betting Operators
Twelve licensed online sportsbooks operate in Virginia as of May 2026.
| Operator | Online | Retail |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel Sportsbook | ✅ | ✅ |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetMGM | ✅ | ✅ |
| Caesars Sportsbook | ✅ | ✅ |
| ESPN Bet | ✅ | — |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | ✅ | — |
| bet365 | ✅ | — |
| BetRivers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hard Rock Bet | ✅ | ✅ |
| Betly | ✅ | ✅ |
| Penn Sports Interactive (Hollywood) | ✅ | ✅ |
| WynnBET (verify current status) | ✅ | — |
Virginia Casinos
Four commercial casinos are currently open in Virginia.
| Casino | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol | Bristol, VA | Open |
| Rivers Casino Portsmouth | Portsmouth, VA | Open |
| Caesars Virginia | Danville, VA | Open |
| HeadWaters Resort & Casino (interim) | Norfolk, VA | Open — interim gaming hall; permanent resort in development |
Note on Richmond: A proposed Richmond casino was rejected by voters. Note on Petersburg: An operator received VGCB approval in January 2026 — open status unconfirmed; verify before visiting.
Online Casino Gaming in Virginia
Online casino gaming is not yet legal in Virginia. HB 161 and SB 118 passed the House and Senate in 2026 but stalled in conference. Both bills include reenactment clauses requiring another successful passage in the 2027 session. If 2027 succeeds, regulatory buildout means live iGaming is not expected before 2028.
For VA players who want online casino games: use one of the offshore casinos listed below (accessible but unregulated), or visit a land-based Virginia casino.
Offshore Online Casinos
| Operator | VA Status |
|---|---|
| Bovada | Accepts VA players |
| Wild Casino | Accepts VA players |
| Ignition Casino | Accepts VA players |
| Cafe Casino | Accepts VA players |
| Slots.LV | Accepts VA players |
Daily Fantasy Sports
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Legal since 2016 — Fantasy Contests Act (Virginia was first state) |
| Licensed operators | FanDuel, DraftKings |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
Recent Legal Changes (2024–2026)
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 2026 | HB 161 / SB 118 iGaming bills pass both chambers but stall in conference. Reenactment clauses require 2027 passage. Live iGaming not expected before 2028. |
| January 2026 | Petersburg casino operator receives VGCB approval. Open status unconfirmed. |
| 2024–2025 | Caesars Virginia (Danville) and Norfolk interim gaming hall open. VA now has 4 operating casinos. |
| 2024 | 12 licensed online sportsbooks operating statewide. |
Responsible Gambling
| Resource | Detail |
|---|---|
| Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VCPG) | 1-888-532-3500 — VA-specific helpline; 24/7 |
| Self-exclusion | Virginia Lottery Self-Exclusion for sports betting; VGCB Voluntary Exclusion for casinos |
| National Helpline | 1-800-522-4700 (NCPG); 1-800-GAMBLER secondary |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Virginia?
Online sports betting is legal in Virginia since January 21, 2021, with 12 licensed operators. Online casino gaming is not yet legal — iGaming bills stalled in 2026 and require another vote in 2027. Offshore casino sites are accessible but unregulated. DFS has been legal since 2016.
How many sports betting apps are legal in Virginia?
12 licensed sportsbooks operate in Virginia as of May 2026, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, bet365, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Betly, and Penn Sports Interactive.
Will Virginia legalize online casino gaming?
Possibly, but not imminently. HB 161 and SB 118 passed both chambers in 2026 but stalled in conference. Both include reenactment clauses requiring another vote in 2027. If 2027 succeeds, live iGaming is not expected before 2028 due to regulatory buildout.
Are there casinos in Virginia?
Yes — four commercial casinos are open: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Caesars Virginia (Danville), and an interim gaming hall in Norfolk. A Petersburg casino received operator approval in January 2026 — open status unconfirmed.
When did sports betting start in Virginia?
January 21, 2021. Virginia legalized online sports betting under HB 896 (signed April 2020), which designated the Virginia Lottery as the regulator.
Can Virginia residents use offshore casinos?
Offshore casinos like Bovada, Wild Casino, Ignition, Cafe Casino, and Slots.LV accept Virginia players. They operate outside state regulation with no VA-backed consumer protections. No criminal enforcement against individual players has been documented.
What is the minimum gambling age in Virginia?
21 for sports betting and casino gambling. 18 for DFS and the state lottery.
What is the problem gambling helpline in Virginia?
1-888-532-3500, operated by the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VCPG). Available 24/7. The national NCPG line (1-800-522-4700) is also available.
Related Guides
- USA Online Casinos — Full State Guide Hub
- Online Gambling in North Carolina
- Online Gambling in West Virginia
- Online Gambling in Maryland
- Online Gambling in Pennsylvania
- Online Gambling in New Jersey
- Online Gambling in Michigan
- Online Gambling in New York
- Bovada Casino Review
- Wild Casino Review
- Ignition Casino Review
- Cafe Casino Review
- Slots.LV Review
- Responsible Gambling Policy
- How We Review
Last verified: 2026-05-19 | Responsible Gambling | How We Review
