Is Online Gambling Legal In Virginia
- Legal Online Gambling United States
- Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Va
- Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Virginia
- Nearby states permit more forms of gambling than Virginia does, including casino gaming, sports wagering, and online casino gaming.
- As such, casino gambling is now coming to the Old Dominion. Furthermore, this vote now opens the door for legal online gambling in Virginia. Casino Gambling Overwhelmingly Approved in Virginia Four Virginia localities held referendums on Tuesday to vote on whether to allow live casino gambling in the state.
- Virginia Online Casinos: Laws. As it stands, the laws in Virginia prohibit gambling almost in its entirety. That means, any bet involving money in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other things of value, is against the law.
Unfortunately, Virginia does not yet have any legal avenues for online sports betting. Residents can, however, travel nearby and utilize New Jersey online gambling sites to place sports bets. There are currently no Virginia online sports books. Illegal gambling in the State of Virginia constitutes a Class III Misdemeanor. Therefore, the only way for an online casino to not be unlawful is if the same was legalized, licensed and regulated by the state itself.
The future for Virginia Online Casinos is far from bleak. There is legislation in motion that will send the state into a positive, legal, and profitable position on the matter. And, because of the talent in Virginia, you can expect access to some of the best online casinos in the country. They’re also going to implement horse betting and online sportsbooks.
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Virginia Online Casinos: Laws
As it stands, the laws in Virginia prohibit gambling almost in its entirety. That means, any bet involving money in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other things of value, is against the law.
There’s also a clause that refers to wagers you might place online at Virginia online casinos. Players can expect a Class 3 misdemeanor for local or interstate affairs and a Class 1 misdemeanor if it involves horse racing.
It’s a serious business. Any money a player wins can translate into a fine up to 10 times worth its value. Also, operating an illegal gambling enterprise in the state will result in a Class 6 felony. This can result in a $20,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.
These consequences extend beyond those in charge of a gambling operation. Landlords, who are aware of the illegal activity on their property, are subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor. Even persons that exchange, sell, or produce devices with the purpose of gambling are subject to the same punishment.
Online casinos are also strictly illegal. In fact, players can’t play on websites based anywhere in the United States. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act prevents banks, or other financial institutions, from processing any payments related to offshore gambling.
There’s one exception, however. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees laws involving charitable gaming. They’ve ruled, since 1995, that seal cards, raffles, traditional bingo, network bingo, pull tabs, and instant bingo are fair game when charity is in mind. That rule does not extend to poker, however.
Future Casino Legislation in Virginia
There are people making moves to legalize Virginia Online Casinos and Virginia sportsbooks. House Bill No. 4 is an amendment currently pre-filed that’s set to alter the Code of Virginia to authorize casino games. The Virginia Lottery Board would regulate all play. This would include Casino gaming and sports betting.
A strong push for legalization comes in the form of pressure from West Virginia. They allow online casino games and online sportsbooks. Because they’re building casinos on the border with Virginia, you can expect hundreds of thousands of dollars to move to the neighboring state. This is bad news for the state of Virginia, and it creates a lot of pressure to move forward with legislation.
It’s all good news for Virginians, however. And, because Virginia has a State lottery, the chances of legal gambling seem only more likely. In fact, they’ve had a tradition of holding lotteries in the state. That includes scratch-off tickets, draw games, and countrywide options like Powerball and Mega Millions. The State Lottery Department oversees this, and it’s yet another example of why legislators will struggle to reject any bill for gambling regulation.
Virginia Horse Racing
The Colonial Downs racetrack, where many flocked to for horse betting, opened in 1952 and shut down in 2014. This was due to a lack of business and popularity. However, pari-mutuel wagering is still allowed.
Customers can enjoy horse betting and racing at different off-track betting sites. While there were efforts to legalize historical horse racing machines in 2012, they were rejected.
Terminals do exist, however, at restaurants and bars. These locations let players bet remotely. In the future, Virginia online casinos might also become a host for these. Perhaps a wide variety of Virginia sportsbooks, as well.
Virginia DFS
Virginia DFS, or Daily Fantasy Sports, is a legally regulated option for bettors. The operators pulled an interesting move to convince the state. They deemed their betting and games as those of skill rather than chance. That made it easy to prove to lawmakers that it should be regulated and allowed in Virginia.
The Fantasy Contests Act allows daily fantasy sports sites to operate in the state. Interestingly enough, this was the first fully-legal recognition of the DFS industry in the United States. So, while Virginia online casinos and online sportsbooks might suffer, for now, Virginia has made headway in the industry in the past.
There are certain rules, however, that limit the capacity of the DFS industry in Virginia. First of all, they’re forced to pay and manage two full audits every year. They also pay $50,000 a year to operate in the state. Employees aren’t allowed to take part in DFS contests, and the websites must have strict regulations to ensure all players are 18 or older. If you are interested in DFS, then read our Monkey Knife Fight review to get the latest bonus information.
Virginia Casino Apps
There aren’t currently Virginia Online Casino apps available. This is because of the strict laws set in place by the state. Most players need to get their fix from other options offshore. However, as mentioned above, new laws might change this and allow Virginia online casinos to deploy apps in the near future.
Virginia Online Sportsbooks
As with Virginia online casinos gaming, online sportsbooks should get a pass pretty soon. Any legislation that promotes gambling in the state will absolutely push for more online sportsbooks. And, because lawmakers seem ready to give casinos a chance, you might see a wide variety of options available for sports wagers soon enough.
Final Thoughts on Casino Gambling in Virginia
Overall, the future is bright for Virginia. There’s a chance that the state might become a host for some of the best online casinos and Virginia sportsbooks in the country. It might even compete with other online sportsbooks. Virginians can expect horse betting, slots, and a ton of table games, all legal and regulated by the state. And, it would all be on Virginia online casinos.
Virginia sports betting officially went live in January 2021 after the state legalized betting in 2020.
At the start, sports betting in Virginia will take place via mobile and online sportsbook apps, which have become increasingly popular through the legal US sports betting market.
FanDuel Sportsbook launched the first app through a partnership with the Washington Football Team.
More sports betting apps are in the approval process in Virginia. DraftKings Sportsbook is licensed and live, and BetMGM and BetRivers began operation in January 2021 as well. William Hill joins the market in February 2020.
Here is more of what you need to know about Virginia sports betting.
Virginia sports betting now live in 2021
Legal Virginia online sports betting
Virginia sports betting became legal in April 2020, when the Virginia state legislature passed a sports betting bill.
Betting on sports in Virginia eventually will become available from anywhere within the borders of the state. Mobile VA sports betting on smartphones will allow bettors to sign up for and fund accounts through apps on your device.
You do not need to live in Virginia to bet on sports in the state. You will, however, need to be physically located in the state to place a wager legally.
Legal Online Gambling United States
The state lottery oversees VA sports betting. Regulations are already in place, and more than two dozen sportsbooks have applied to operate in the state. There could be up to a dozen apps available throughout Virginia eventually.
Best Virginia sportsbook apps
State law mandates that there will be a minimum of four and a maximum of 12 VA sportsbook apps available.
FanDuel Sportsbook launched first, and DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, BetRivers, and William Hill followed closely. Many more sportsbooks will offer sports betting apps in Virginia. Many of these brands are participating in new markets throughout the US legal market:
Generally speaking, more sportsbooks in a given state lead to a better market. Competition to gain customers often leads to sportsbooks offering better signup offers and promo codes. These can include free bets or deposit matches, ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.
This is not necessarily a complete list of potential VA sportsbooks. Your smartphone device will use geolocation technology to verify that you are within Virginia before allowing you to bet with these sportsbook apps.
Here’s some more information on some of the biggest sportsbooks that will likely find their way into Virginia:
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings, a leader in both daily fantasy sports and sports betting in the US, has been aggressive about getting into every state possible, and it went live in the state in January 2021.
If you’re a new bettor, you can receive $50 free, plus up to an addition $1,000 in bonus offers.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is the current US leader among all sportsbooks in terms of amount wagered, Virginia is an obvious choice for the FanDuel sports betting app. The app provides weekly promotions, daily odds boosts and a live betting tool.
Bettors in the state get up to a $1,000 risk-free bet upon a first deposit.
BetMGM Sportsbook
The sportsbook from MGM Resorts International has been similarly aggressive entering every online sports betting state it can. It will not have a brick-and-mortar casino in the state, but does have one in neighboring Maryland. MGM started its app in January 2021.
Bettors should get a deposit match bonus of up to $500, based on what MGM does in other states.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers parent Rush Street Interactive partnered with the upcoming Rivers Casino Portsmouth to launch sports betting in Virginia. The brick-and-mortar casino will come later but the mobile platform is available now.
Bettors should be able to access a bonus offer comparable to that available in other states.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Va
William Hill Sportsbook
Caesars will build the casino in Danville; Caesars is also buying William Hill. One plus one equals a VA sportsbook from William Hill, a big operator in Nevada and the UK, with a growing footprint around the US.
William Hill offers up to a $500 free bet on a first deposit in many other states.
Virginia sportsbooks at casinos
As Virginia sports betting launches, there aren’t any physical sportsbooks. Part of the reason why? Virginia casinos were approved in 2020 referendums and will be built in the coming years. And there should be sportsbooks at those casinos eventually.
There could also be physical sportsbooks at sporting venues, like Virginia’s two auto racing tracks.