Virginia Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
Gambling in Virginia dates back over 400 years to when it was one of the 13 original colonies. Surprisingly, it wasn’t until recently that it became more widely accepted in the state.
So what has changed over time, and where does Virginia stand currently?
Understanding the nuances of the law can be tricky, but we are here to help.
In this all-encompassing guide, we will break down every aspect of the gambling laws in the Old Dominion State so you get a clear picture of what is legal.
We have also researched and reviewed the best places for Virginians to play.
VA Gambling Highlights
Want to gamble in Virginia? The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in the state.
From online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18 – 21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Yes
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Everything You Need to Start Playing
Online Gambling in Virginia
Key Takeaways
- Online sports betting is legal.
- Top gambling sites serve players in the state.
- Internet horse racing books are legal.
- The VA Lottery has online options.
- It’s illegal to open an online casino based in Virginia.
- You can play at casino sites regulated outside of the state.
- There is no prosecution recorded for gambling at online casinos.
Online gambling is completely legal for some bettors and limited for others.
While the state has yet to allow online casinos within its borders, state residents can play internet casino games at top gambling sites based offshore.
Online sports betting is legal in the state, and there are other internet options for real money gambling.
Virginia legalized land-based casinos in 2020. Three casinos were built in Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth, and a fourth is expected to open in Norfolk in 2024.
The state has legal pari-mutuel horse race betting, with two active live racetracks, several off-track betting facilities, and online racebooks.
VA also sponsors a lottery with online options and various charitable games.
Best Online Casinos in Virginia 2024
Our expert team has reviewed and tested several casino sites and has selected providers that are sure to offer fun and reliable service overall.
We’ve been in the gambling world for more than a decade, so you can trust us. Here’s the list of the best gambling sites you can access from VA:
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Bovada Casino |
BONUS 125% up to $3,750 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 549 | SLOTS 435 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
BetUS |
BONUS 150% up to $3,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 491 | SLOTS 367 | OUR RATING 4.5 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Cafe Casino |
BONUS 350% up to $2,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 547 | SLOTS 384 | OUR RATING 3.5 / 5 | Play Now |
*Last Updated: November, 2024
Top Online Casinos by Category
Do you like games? We’ve got ’em! We picked out a couple of sites offering a variety of top titles from the best software providers.
We consider factors like reliability, security, game variety, payment methods, and bonus offers.
Top Site for Slots & Casino Games
If you are looking for quality slots, you’re barking up the right tree when you go to DuckyLuck Casino.
This site has over 500 slots, with wide-ranging themes and displays, from simple 3-reelers to more interactive 5- and 6-reel challenges.
The site has multiple versions of blackjack, including some with bonus side bets. They also have single- and double-zero roulette, as well as craps and three-card poker games.
The video poker collection has over a dozen choices with all the wild cards covered.
Go to the live dealer section and find blackjack, baccarat, roulette tables, and more. Click on a game, and you’ll be greeted by a professional dealer and other players willing to chat.
The bet limits and gameplay are just like those you’d find at any casino.
Top Features
- The site has more than 500 slots and the play demo option.
- They have a wide variety of blackjack and other table games.
- More than a dozen video poker games are available.
Best Site for Sports Betting
As a trusted online sportsbook exclusively for US residents, Bovada boasts a rich history spanning over two decades.
It covers major American sports, college events, soccer, and more, making it a go-to platform for sports lovers.
Not only does it offer comprehensive sports betting options, but it also houses a solid online casino.
With primary deposit methods like crypto, credit cards, and Matchpay, Bovada ensures swift payouts within 1-24 hours.
However, be mindful of the 15.9% fee for credit card deposits, especially if you’re a high-volume bettor.
Top Features
- The site provides a variety of gaming choices, including poker tournaments, a racebook, and a sportsbook.
- It’s among the US market’s most trustworthy websites.
- It accepts many payment methods, such as MatchPay and vouchers.
How We Choose the Best Casinos
Our selection of casino sites is derived from a process that takes in the most important factors for players. The following are the main elements of criteria that guide our rankings:
Reputation
Our goal is to offer our readers a secure gaming experience, which is why we focus on reputable and well-established brands.Fast & Reliable Payments
The best online casinos should offer the most popular payment methods that are trusted for deposits and withdrawals.Site Security & Safety
The protection of personal information and money is a priority. We make sure a casino has up-to-date security protocols.Games Variety & Quality
An online casino should have slots, table games, and specialty games to suit all types of players looking for fun and a fair deal.Quality Bonuses
We check out the bonuses and promotions for their value and fairness.
Top VA Online Casino Games for Real Money
Land-based casinos in Virginia have plenty of games. However, gambling sites are popular for their convenience. Here are the types of casino games you can find without leaving your home.
Online Slots
Slot games come with various features and a wide range of stakes. You will find themes of all types, paylines of practically any number, and bonus rounds galore.
Online Poker
The best poker players hone their games in online poker rooms. The stakes start with penny ante games for beginners, but high rollers can also find suitable tables.
Online Blackjack
Blackjack is the favorite table game at any casino because it’s easy to play and consistent winnings. You’ll get the same kind of returns when you play online because the games carry return-to-player ratings of around 99%.
Live Dealer Games
Feel on a casino floor without leaving home playing live dealer games. You’ll get a display of real blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other tables with friendly dealers awaiting.
Other Casino Games
Online casinos offer more than just slots, table games, and video poker. Here are examples of games you won’t find at most land-based casinos in the state.
Virginia Online Casino Bonuses
Land-based casinos offer comps; online casinos offer bonuses. And because gambling sites are so competitive, you can find some great bonus deals with a little shopping.
We’ve done the shopping for you to see some of those deals below, but first, here’s an overview of what type of promotions you can find at casino sites:
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit funds or top off your account.
Our Favorite Casino Bonuses
$7,500 Welcome Bonus + 150 Free Spins
Hatch a golden egg worth up to $7,500 when you hit the DuckyLuck pond.
You’ll get a 500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins match bonus on your first three deposits. To cash out, you’ll need to wager 30 times the bonus amount.
They top that bonus with 150 free spins, 50 spins for three days on slots you’ll love.
There’s a 30X wagering requirement on your free-spins winnings, too. Be sure to read the rules for each bonus.
Up to $8,000 Welcome Bonus
Red Dog Casino has a bag full of treats as rewards for playing like a good pup.
The biggest treat is the welcome bonus that doles out as much as $8,000 just for walking through the door.
It matches your first three deposits and has a 40X rollover requirement, which you must meet before withdrawing your winnings.
You don’t have to beg; enter the bonus code PATIO when you deposit.
Casino Apps
Fewer online casino apps are available these days because new technology has made it easy to access gambling sites and games through the browsers of any device.
Just call up the site with the browser of your Android smartphone, iPhone, or any e-tablet, and click on your favorite game.
The displays adjust well, and the games generally run smoothly.
Update your software, and try your favorite game on your device to see how easy it is. You don’t need to bet real money on many games to see if you like them; you can try them for free.
Facts About Online Casinos for Virginia Players
Here are some facts that you must consider before playing.
- Virginia players can access offshore gambling sites.
- Offshore casinos are licensed and regulated in foreign jurisdictions that specialize in online operations for US players.
- Casino sites host a greater variety of games than you find at land-based casinos in VA.
- Many sites have poker rooms and sportsbooks, as well as casino games.
- Online casinos have live dealer sections that give players the feel of playing on an actual casino floor.
- As with any other online business, you should research the quality and reliability of the operator you consider.
Gambling Laws Summary
The state is not the most progressive in gambling but is gaining ground in the ever-expanding wagering world. Since 2020, the state has legalized casinos and online sports betting.
Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing has been legal for years, and the law allows many types of charitable gambling. Virginia also has a state-sponsored lottery.
The law allows communities to decide whether or not to let casinos into town, and people in the capital city of Richmond have battled the notion at the ballot box.
Online casinos inside the state have yet to gain approval.
| Virginia Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-Based Casinos | The state has three casinos that are legal through the state’s casino law. The operations host typical games such as slots, blackjack, and table games. |
| Online Gambling | Online gambling in the state includes sports betting websites, as well as poker rooms and casinos available on offshore sites. |
| Online Sports Betting and Land-Based | Land-based and online sportsbooks are located in Virginia by virtue of the Sports Betting Law that went into effect in 2020. Players can wager spreads, money lines, totals, etc. |
| State Lottery | Virginia approved a state lottery in 1987 and now has various games, including nationwide jackpot draws such as Powerball and Mega Millions. |
| Charitable Gambling | Bingo, raffles, and other charitable games operate under the state Charitable Gaming law. |
| Poker | The state has only one legal poker room, but others are expected as casinos expand. Poker rooms operate under the state casino law. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | Virginia has two pari-mutuel race tracks and another site where people can wager on annual steeplechase events. There are also OTBs and historical horse race betting locations. |
| Fantasy Sports | Fantasy sports contests were legalized in 2016. All major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel accept Virginia players. |
| Social Gambling | The law allows private gambling games as long as there is no profit to a game host or organizer. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | Gambling winnings are considered income, so winners are subject to state and federal taxes. Lottery wins of less than $600 are not subject to state taxes. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Virginia Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
Virginia’s gambling laws have been adjusted over the years to reflect societal shifts and public requests.
While some gambling activities remain prohibited, updates to the law have made many traditional gambling practices legal and regulated by the state.
Land-Based Casinos
In 2020, the state passed a law permitting land-based casinos.
Qualified cities were given the choice to allow gambling operations within their borders. By 2023, three casinos had been established in the state, and more were expected to follow suit.
The casinos offer typical Vegas-type games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and other table games. Virginia casinos operate under provisions of the Casino Gaming law and are regulated by the State Lottery Board.
Horse & Dogs Tracks
Colonial Downs, east of Richmond, is the venue for VA thoroughbred horse racing, with summer meets held each year. But state residents engage in pari-mutuel race betting in other venues and ways.
Shenandoah Downs is home to harness racing in the state with a spring and fall meet.
The state heralds two major steeplechase racing events, the Virginia Gold Cup and the International Gold Cup, at Great Meadow steeplechase course. All have betting windows for legal action.
VA is also home to a unique form of horse betting in which players bet on the outcomes of filmed races.
The pari-mutuel horse racing activities work under the state Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering law with oversight of the Virginia Racing Commission.
Greyhound racing was outlawed in the state in 1995.
Bingo, Lottery, and Charitable Gambling
In Virginia, charitable gambling thrives under the law, allowing qualified charities to fundraise in diverse ways. While Bingo’s popularity has waned, hundreds of licensed venues still offer standard bingo sessions.
The law also permits network bingo, involving a network of games with a $25,000 top prize, alongside instant bingo cards, pull tabs, and seal cards with prizes up to $2,000. Progressive bingo sessions offer jackpots reaching $5,000.
Charities can host raffles with prizes up to $100,000 and conduct Texas Hold ’em tournaments, where participants pay fees or purchase fake chips. Virginia’s Charitable Gaming Law governs these games.
Since 1989, Virginia’s lottery has contributed over $15 billion to public schools. It features standard number draws, big nationwide jackpots, scratch-offs, and unique online games resembling slots.
The VA Lottery Board oversees these activities as outlined in the State Lottery Law.
Social Gaming at Home
The law in VA contains an exception for private games. This makes it legal for people to bet on poker, checkers, or any other game as long as the game organizer does not make a profit.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
In 2023, Virginia had only one legal poker room at Rivers Casino in Portsmouth. More casinos were expected to open, which could increase the number of poker rooms in the state.
They host Hold ’em tournaments with $340 buy-ins, usually weekly. The poker room, being part of a casino, is regulated by the state Lottery Board.
Charity poker rooms faced uncertainty due to rules on tournament pot limits and profit distribution, leaving their future uncertain in 2023.
Online Sports Betting and Land-Based
In Virginia, you can legally bet on sports online and at one casino sportsbook. You can make different types of wagers like moneyline, point spread, and total score bets.
Also, there are prop bets and future bets on players and other aspects of the game. The VA Lottery Board supervises sports betting in the state.
Casinos in Virginia
The state had three casinos as of 2023. Two of them, in Bristol and Danville, plan expansions into resort casinos. A fourth casino, located in Norfolk, is under construction.
Top Casinos
- Bristol Casino
- Caesars Virginia
- Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Land-Based Gambling Summary
- Total Casinos: 3
- Poker Rooms: 1
Virginia vs. Neighboring States
Here’s how gambling activities and state laws look in comparison to those in bordering states.
| State | Is Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| North Carolina | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| West Virginia | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Legal | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Tennessee | Yes | 18/21 | No | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Kentucky | Yes | 18 | No | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Maryland | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
Virginia gambling laws lie somewhere between the permissive West Virginia laws and the highly restrictive Kentucky and Tennessee laws.
The Bristol casino draws traffic from eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, while the Danville casino is popular with people in central North Carolina.
A Brief History of Virginia Gambling
Gambling has a rich history in VA, starting with a lottery to help save the struggling colony of Jamestown in 1612 and continuing with landowners pitting their best racehorses against each other with a little extra on the line.
But most gambling in Virginia remained underground until 1973, when the state legally recognized various forms of charitable gambling.
The state Lottery was created in 1978, and the first tickets were sold the following year. Two years later, pari-mutuel horse racing became legal, and three sites have hosted thoroughbred, standardbred, and steeplechase races for decades.
In 2020, the state General Assembly took significant steps toward modern gambling by allowing land-based casinos, online and land-based sports wagering, and by adding internet options to the lottery.
Poker rooms are legal in casinos. You can find one legal poker room at Rivers Casino in Portsmouth.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The VA Lottery, which oversees most gambling in the state, has a Play Responsibly web page devoted to advice on problem gambling prevention and treatment. It comes with a helpline and a link to a self-exclusion program.
The Lottery works in conjunction with the National Council on Problem Gambling.
State law also requires all of Virginia’s gambling locations and websites to take measures to make players aware of responsible gaming programs.
If you want to know more about the topic, visit our responsible gambling page.
Summary: Virginia Casinos and Its Gambling Journey
Virginia’s latest moves to allow casinos and sports betting have put the state on the gambling map. Four of the five cities designated for economic improvement through casino businesses have agreed to allow casinos.
The only holdout is Richmond, where voters in 2023 rejected a resort casino proposal for a second time. If the four casino cities flourish economically, that may change.
Meanwhile, the state has become more tolerant of gambling, with casinos and sportsbooks, pari-mutuel race betting opportunities, a vibrant lottery, and lots of charitable gambling.
With online sportsbooks legalized, the state could allow online casinos to be established in the future. Until then, Virginians can turn to reliable offshore sites for casino games.
FAQ
The following answers some typical questions about gambling in Virginia.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in VA?
Tribal casinos are regulated federally under provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Other commercial casinos operate under state regulations with the supervision of the Virginia Lottery.
What are the most popular casino games in Virginia?
The most popular casino games in the state are slots and blackjack.
Are there real money online casinos in Virginia with no deposit bonuses?
Online casinos generally require deposits to match bonuses. But occasional promotions give out free spins, chips, or cash to try the casino or a specific game. The bonuses come with rules for play.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Virginia?
There are some shoddy operations in cyberspace. But, if you thoroughly vet gambling sites as we do, a top-rated online casino is as reliable as the safest internet business.
