Virginia doesn’t currently allow real money online casino gambling — but change could be coming. With legal sports betting already live and land-based casinos opening across the state, many expect online casinos to be the next step. In the meantime, sweepstakes casinos in Virginia offer a legal, risk-free way to play popular games like slots, blackjack, and even live dealer tables — and yes, you can still win real prizes.
This guide covers the current legal gambling landscape in Virginia, the top sweepstakes casinos available today, and what to expect if online casino legislation is passed.
Virginia Legal Online Gambling Overview 2025
The year 2020 was a watershed time in the state of Virginia, as it brought about massive change in the state’s gambling landscape. Sports betting, both in person and online, was legalized across the state.
At the same time, five Virginia centers were granted permission to open the state’s first land-based casinos, although online casino gambling remains against the law.
Virginians can also access pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, both in person and online, or play the state lottery. Even daily fantasy sports are legal and regulated in Old Dominion.
Virginia’s Best Gambling Sites
It was in January of 2021 that legal and regulated sports betting first went live in Virginia. Today, there are 15 different sportsbooks operating in the state.
BetMGM Virginia
Featuring numerous betting markets and bet types, you’ll also find that the parlay options and promotional opportunities are frequent at BetMGM. The online arm of MGM Resorts, the BetMGM rewards program offers the chance to earn points toward stays at those resorts.
BetRivers
You won’t find that the welcome bonus offer at BetRivers is anywhere near as lucrative as at some of the major sports betting sites. What you will find is that none of them can match up to the industry-low 1x rollover requirement that is the standard on bonus funds at BetRivers. They are also known for their large menu of live in-play wagers and for their unique daily specials.
Caesars
While on the surface the Caesars site may appear to be more basic than some of their competitors, don’t let that lull you into thinking that Caesars isn’t a big-time player. They’re known for competitive odds, deep menus of bet types and betting markets and an industry-leading loyalty rewards program that includes stays at the world-famous Caesars resorts.
Bet365 VA
Known for their competitive odds and massive array of betting markets, bet types and promotional offers, British-owned Bet365 also delivers an easy to use mobile app. Early cash out, parlay insurance and an outstanding selection of live streaming and live in-play wagers are all staples of the Bet365 platform.
Virginia Online Casinos
Five Virginia cities were awarded land-based casinos in 2020 – Danville, Bristol, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond. To date, all but the Richmond and Norfolk sites are up and operational.
Each was also given the option of adding a land-based sportsbook as well. So far, Bristol has paired with Hard Rock, Danville with Caesars and Portsmouth with BetRivers.
There’s been no attempt to date to try and legalize online casinos in Virginia.
You probably already know the names of some of the famous casino brands that run sites in other parts of the country. These same companies are sure to look to operate an online casino once the law permits this.
This is a good thing, as you will be able to trust the security and the banking processes found in an online casino in Virginia straight away, letting you sign up with confidence.
Based on the most recent regulatory developments and the betting market in the nearby states (WV, PA etc.) several large players are expected to line up with FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Casino and DraftKings being the obvious bets as the first movers.
Best VA Online Casino Games
There are certain to be many top casino games in Virginia once these sites are up and running. Slots are incredibly popular in states with legal online gambling. Some of the main real money slots include Dead or Alive, Golden Goddess, and Pixies of the Forest. You may see these titles as part of a casino games in Virginia library.
Playing table games at a Virginia online casino should also be simple, as the best sites are sure to offer a variety of titles include blackjack, poker, and roulette.
Casino Apps in Virginia
The mobile approach is increasingly popular, with many casinos providing free apps for Android devices and iPhones. Expect most, if not all, Virginia online casino games to be accessible in this way, giving a huge degree of freedom to the state’s players. It should also be possible to log in directly from your mobile device’s browser if this suits you better. View more casino apps available in the USA.
Big bonuses make it easier for new players to start playing with more funds. This will let you sample online casino games in Virginia before deciding which site and games are ideal for your needs. These offers are usually provided when you first sign up but may be on-going.
Pick up a no deposit bonus to start wagering with a new account before you even transfer in any cash. If you choose a welcome package with a deposit boost, then the initial funds you add will be multiplied. Free spins in a Virginia online casino are also worthwhile.
Check out top casino promotions, available for US best online casinos in states: NJ, PA, MI, WV and NY.
Top Land-based Casinos in Virginia
The law here allows land casinos, and work is being carried out on the following sites.
- Caesars Virginia, Danville. This massive resort has a planned opening date in 2025.
- Norfolk Resort & Casino, Norfolk. The Pamunkey Tribe is spending $500 million on this resort over more than 13 acres of land.
- Hard Rock Casino, Bristol. This venue, on the site of what was once the Bristol mall, should be up and running by 2022.
View all legal US betting apps and sportsbook offers here.
Can you gamble online in Virginia?
| Online casino | Not legal |
| Sports betting | Legal |
| Horse racing online betting | Legal |
| Poker | Legal in physical venues |
VIRGINIA has opened its doors to legal sports betting, one of only three states in the US to offer online only sportsbooks. The reasoning behind the decision to limit sportsbooks to online versions is a simple one – there are no land-based casinos in the state, although there are plans in place to create at least five in-person casinos.
There is a vibrant sportsbook market in the state, with the likes of DraftKings, PointsBet and BetRivers offering a variety of incentives for customers to choose their service, including free bets and deposit matching commitments. Once you have chosen your sportsbook, registration is quick, with the only requirement that you are able to verify you’re aged over 21.
For those who prefer in-person gambling options, they must cross state borders to the likes of West Virginia and Maryland to place their casino bets. However, the online gambling revolution in the state has not extended to casinos or poker, with both still outlawed.
Virginia Online Casinos ↗
Despite the online commitment to sports betting, and the lack of any land-based casino facilities in Virginia, there has been no legislation introduced to allow online casino play in the state.
Virginia Online Casino Sites/Apps Expected:
Virginia Poker ↗
Online poker is also outlawed, and there are no legal land-based venues offering poker play. There are offshore sportsbooks offering online poker that accept US accounts, including those from Virginia, but these are operating outside US law, and offer no consumer protection.
Lottery Games in Virginia ↗
The state lottery has been running since 1988 and along with a host of retail outlets offering ticket sales, online purchases are allowed; the minimum age to play is 18.
Virginia Sweepstakes Casinos
There is an online casino option for Virginia players. Social casinos offer the chance to play slots, table games and inside live dealer areas just like a real money casino. What they don’t offer is that chance to directly win real money.
At the same time, you’re able to play in a social casino for free. And if you choose sweepstakes coins for game play instead of the entertainment-only gold coin option, any sweeps coin winnings can be exchanged for prizes that can include cash.
These social casinos are among those accessible in Virginia.
Stake.us Casino: Launched in 2022, the Stake.us Casino provides access to some 780 slot games, along with scratchcards and a live casino studio. They offer their own exclusive games. Gold coins and Stake Cash, their version of sweeps coins, are awarded via daily giveaways, tournaments and races.
High 5 Casino: Offering free daily rewards of both gold coins and sweeps coins, the High 5 Casino launched in 2012. There are more than 1,200 games to play, including slots, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Cash prizes are offered in exchange for wins with sweeps coins.
Pulz Casino: Featuring nearly 700 games from top developers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt and Booongo Games, the Pulz Casino came to life in 2020. They offer a standalone app that’s available in both iOS and Android versions. At sign up, new players are awarded 5,000 free gold coins and 2.3 sweepstakes coins.
VA Online Gambling FAQs
Yes, gambling websites are legal in VA. Virginia is one of only three states to offer sports betting in an online-only format, due to the fact that there are no physical casinos or gambling venues in the state yet.
The legal age to register at an online sportsbook is 21 with the Virginia Lottery
The Virginia Lottery has the regulatory responsibilities for land-based casinos and internet sports betting.
The VA Council on Problem Gambling has with the VA Lottery a confidential and free 24-hour helpline: (888) 532-3500. They also run an option for self-exclude (Voluntary Exclusion Program) from gambling in the state, find out more here. Go to Virginia – National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org) for more information.
The state was the first in the US to regulate daily fantasy sports betting, with a minimum age of 18 for entries in events operated by the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings.
The state has one track, Colonial Downs, with on-site betting as well as a number of off-track sites where bets can be placed in person. Advance-deposit wagering operators like BetAmerica and TwinSpires are also available to Virginians.
This is a subject that hasn’t yet been agreed upon, so there is no date agreed for when Virginia online casinos might be able to start operating.
No regulations are covering sweepstakes gambling when participating in an online casino in Virginia. It is a gray area, although social casinos that don’t use real cash are widely available.
You have to be at least 18 years old to gamble in this state. At the time of writing, it is unclear whether this same limit will apply to land and online casino in Virginia. It seems likely that casinos, where alcohol is served, are limited to people over 21.
If you win over $5,000 on the lottery in Virginia, 4% of the total amount will be held back to pay the state’s income tax. Besides, you need to declare any large wins to the IRS, which should be added to your taxable income for the year.
