Best Betting App Promotions
Use our betting app top list to find betting app offers. One way we help you find the best betting offers for mobile users is by updating our betting app top list on a regular basis. This list contains what, in our view, are the current best app offers and promotional bonuses out there. Read our betting app reviews to know more. The BetMGM Sportsbook iOS app also has a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating on the App Store, which is tied with DraftKings for the best score of any sports betting app. BetMGM Iowa also offers great odds.
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Whether you prefer wagering via the 888sport app on your smartphone or firing up the website on your PC or laptop, you’ll have plenty of betting opportunities. 888sport offers a bet-building feature, great cash-out options, and Asian handicap betting. Use our betting app top list to find betting app offers. One way we help you find the best betting offers for mobile users is by updating our betting app top list on a regular basis. This list contains what, in our view, are the current best app offers and promotional bonuses out there. Read our betting app.
Bettors in the US have the opportunity to place their sports bets at some of the world’s most famous bookies after it has been officially made legal. In this article, we are going to present to you the best US sports betting apps which are available on the market.
Best US Betting Apps: Our ranking
Best US Betting Apps | Top Offers in NJ Sportsbooks | Download Links & Exclusive Promo Codes |
---|---|---|
Bet365 | Get up to $100 in Bet Credits | DOWNLAOD BET365 MOBILE APP Enter our exclusive promo code *USBET* upon registration |
FanDuel | Win Up to $500 Risk-Free Bet | DOWNLOAD FANDUEL MOBILE APP |
Unibet | $20 Free Bets & $250 Risk-Free Bet | DOWNLOAD UNIBET MOBILE APP |
BetMGM | 1st wager matched $100 RISK-FREE | DOWNLOAD BETMGM MOBILE APP Enter our exclusive BetMGM Promo Code *WABPLAY* upon registration |
William Hill | Bet $50 Get $50 Free | WILLIAM HILL APP DOWNLOAD LINK Enter our exclusive promo code * STAR 50 * upon registration |
Table of Contents
- 2 Unibet: World Giants Available on US Market (Rating: 4.7/5)
- 2.2 Welcome Bonus
- 2.3 Unibet Mobile App Review
- 3 Bet365: Top Bookie with Excellent Odds (Rating: 4.8/5)
- 3.1 Bet365 Mobile App Review
- 4 William Hill: Historical UK Sportsbook Now Present Overseas (Rating: 4.7/5)
- 4.1 Offers & promotions at William Hill
- 4.2 William Hill Mobile App Review
- 5 FanDuel: Trusted Name in Sports Entertainment (Rating: 4.6/5)
- 5.1 Offers & promotions at FanDuel
- 5.2 FanDuel Mobile App Review
Unibet: World Giants Available on US Market (Rating: 4.7/5)
Offers & Promotions at Unibet Mobile App
Welcome Bonus
When you register an account at Unibet, you will get two $10 free bets without having to make the first deposit. They are going to be available for you immediately after signing up and those free bets are not restricted to any sport or market. Further on, if you make the first deposit, you will get a risk-free bet up to $250. This means that you will get your stake back up to $250 if your first bet is a losing one. This offer is pretty generous in comparison to other bookmakers on the market.
Promotions for existing players
Existing players can also count on some interesting promotions offered by this sportsbook and they are getting updated on a regular basis. Currently, there are two active promos and both of them are related to parlays. Existing customers can enjoy a weekly parlay boost which can increase their potential returns up to 30%. Another promo, which is very lucrative, is about 6-team football parlay as you can get a bonus of $100,000 when placing a $10 bet and all of your teams win by an additional 9.5 points margin, on top of the original one.
Boxing offer at Unibet
Boxing offer at Unibet is pretty extensive and besides the world’s biggest bouts, you can also find the list of odds for unconfirmed fights as well. You can select your favorite match from the list of upcoming fights. If you are looking for live streaming of boxing fights, unfortunately, you won’t find them available at Unibet NJ.
Unibet Mobile App Review
Sportsbook
Best Sports Betting App
Unibet’s platform structure is pretty much similar to other bookmakers’ websites as a three-column display is applied here as well. Green is the dominant colour and everything is pretty readable on the site. When it comes to the diversity of sports on offer, Unibet is on par with other competitors. The mainstream US and international sports are offered, but you can also find less popular ones such as cycling and darts.
User-friendliness and easy navigation make Unibet’s mobile app very simple to use even if you are new at sports betting. You can use the same app for casino and sportsbook as you can easily switch between them. The mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and all desktop functionalities are very well preserved.
Deposit / Withdrawals Options
In terms of different banking options available at Unibet, players can pick from a good range of methods. For making deposits, customers can use credit and debit cards, PayPal, bank transfer, prepaid card or make a deposit in cash. The good news is that the same options are available for withdrawals as well.
Customer Service
If you have trouble with using Unibet’s platform, making transactions or managing your account, you can reach them out through several methods. Live chat option is the most convenient as you can get a very prompt response. The toll-free telephone is also available, while you can also reach them out via email.
Bet365: Top Bookie with Excellent Odds (Rating: 4.8/5)
Bet365 Mobile App Review
The elegant design of bet365’s platform makes it one of the most recognizable in the betting market. Simple navigation and ease of use are guaranteed even if you are a novice user. The number of sports on offer is average, however, if we dip into the number of leagues available, the selection is pretty impressive. Variety of betting markets is also very high as for the most popular soccer events you may expect to get around 150 available markets.
There are few better mobile apps on the betting market at the moment. Bet365 ensured to develop some unique features which can additionally boost your wagering experience. The most popular one is live streaming at the mobile devices as you can enjoy matches live and bet live at the same time. You won’t find any troubles while using the application and it is pretty stable. Due to simplicity and our great time using this app, we recommend it both to new online punters and more experienced players. You are basically a couple of clicks away from everything you want to do. The designers definitely deserve a five-star review for their work put into bet365 NJ mobile application.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours.
Check here the latest Bet365 bonuses details.
Deposit / Withdrawals Options
The variety of banking options is one of the most important aspects for any bettor and bet365 offers a fair selection of payment methods for making transactions. Credit and debit cards are accepted, while you can also use e-wallets, bank transfers or prepaid cards. Another convenience is that you can use the same methods for withdrawing money from your account. All in all, all popular banking and e-wallet payment gateways are already supported, even though this bookie has just entered the market.
Customer Service
The diversity of methods available for contacting customer service is pretty high and you can expect to get prompt answers to all your questions. Live chat feature is available, and besides that you can also use a telephone line, email, standard mail or web message. Professional customer support will deal with all your requests in a timely manner. The response time is very low.
William Hill: Historical UK Sportsbook Now Present Overseas (Rating: 4.7/5)
Offers & promotions at William Hill
Welcome Bonus
New customers are welcomed with free cash up to $50 after a total of $50 in bets is made. You need to enter STAR50 promo code during the sigh up process for enrolling for this offer. Although this welcome bonus is not too generous, good news is that you don’t need to complete any wagering requirements, which is a big plus. William Hill have tendency to change their welcome package depending on the time of the year, so always hunt for new deals and check the promotions tab often.
Promotions for existing players
American football and hockey lovers will be happy to enjoy William Hill’s promotions for existing players. You can find a couple of these in addition to parlay promotion for four-leg bets on Saturday’s College League game. Make sure to check the promotions on a regular basis since they are getting updated frequently and we can expect more interesting deals from this operator.
Boxing offer at William Hill
William Hill has a very broad coverage of boxing events and customers can find a pretty diverse offer of boxing bouts. The number of betting markets is fair, while the odds are above average and you can make a very good value of them. One point of improvement could be an introduction of live streaming which would include boxing fights as well.
William Hill Mobile App Review
William Hill’s platform is pretty easy to use and it is also built up on a three-columns principle. On the left-hand side, you can find the list of all available sports and explore the competitions further, while in the central part of the screen you can find the most popular events and in-play matches. right-hand side is reserved for bet slip section. The only confusing thing is that you need to select the state at the landing page and the platform will navigate you to the appropriate website. The selection of sports offered is average and not too different in comparison to majority of bookies on the market.
Thanks to its simple design and well-structured user interface, William Hill’s mobile app is very easy to use. Even novice users can advocate for a pleasant user experience as you can quickly switch from one sport to another and navigate through markets. It is also important to mention that all functionalities on the desktop client are available on mobile version as well.
Deposit / Withdrawals Options
In terms of different payment options available for making deposits, William Hill’s customers can be pleased to have a wide range of possibilities. Credit and debit cards are supported as well as the most popular e-wallets. However, when it comes to withdrawal options, they can be improved as only cash withdrawals and prepaid card are supported. The fact that you cannot use the same methods as for making deposits should be something that William Hill should work on.
Customer Service
Three different contact methods are available for William Hill’s customers if they have troubles with using the platform in any way. Live chat is available 24/7 and an operator will respond you in less than 30 seconds. Other points of contact are telephone line and email. WH are doing a great job in letting their customers know that loyalty pays off.
FanDuel: Trusted Name in Sports Entertainment (Rating: 4.6/5)
Offers & promotions at FanDuel
Welcome Bonus
If you sign up for an account with FanDuel, you will get a risk-free bet up to $500. You don’t need to use any special promo code for this offer, just register for an account and place your first cash wager. If it turns out to be a losing one, your stake will be refunded up to $500 in bonus money. Bonus money cannot be withdrawn in cash until you wager the bonus amount one time. This is surely one of the highest amounts available at the moment in New Jersey when it comes to welcome packages.
Promotions for existing players
If you already have an account opened at FanDuel, you can enjoy some of their current promotions. There are certain money back promos for NFL matches as well as parlay insurance. You can also win some cash credits for NBA or MLB matches fir every point your team wins by or for every run your selected team scores. For becoming eligible for these promos, you need to place a $25 bet. This said it does pay off to use DraftKings long term.
Boxing offer at FanDuel
Boxing offer at FanDuel is pretty respectable and you can find some very good deals. The number of markets is above average and you can find a lot of betting options for boxing bouts. Boxing lovers will be happy to hear that they can bet on separate rounds, events in the next couple of minutes, method of victory and other interesting options.
FanDuel Mobile App Review
FanDuel platform is very modern and its design enhances user experience. It is very easy to navigate through the website, which is also based on a three-column structure. The diversity of sports is around the same as at other bookmakers on the market, however they come a bit short on some international sports in terms of depth of competitions on offer.
This bookmaker is well-known of one of the best mobile apps on the US market. Although they were not the first ones to have launched mobile betting, FanDuel, which is owned by Betfair enhanced mobile app’s interface which is one of the most modern around. It is clean and intuitive even for those who don’t know much about sports betting. Their mobile app is very similar to DraftKings’ one, which is probably the best on the market.
Deposit / Withdrawals Options
Very good range of banking options for deposits is available for FanDuel’s customers as they can use different payment options such as credit and debit cards, bank transfer, PayPal or eCheck. On the other hand, credit and debit cards are not accepted for withdrawal transactions, however you can use PayPal along with eCheck and Prepaid card.
Customer Service
Standard options are available for contacting FanDuel’s customer support and the most popular one is live chat which is available 24/7. However, if you prefer other options, you can send them out an email or contact customer support via telephone.
Final Thoughts: Which Betting App to Download & Why?
We presented to you some of the best us betting apps. We do prefer the mobile app of bet365 since it is one of the best worldwide but the other operators can definitely compete with bet365’s mobile app. We really enjoyed using the FanDuel Mobile App but also the Unibet Mobile App which is definitely one of the most innovative in the market. What is more, Unibet also offers a casino platform so you can combine another type of betting.
Terms and Conditions apply / New Customers Only / Commercial Content / 21+ Responsible Gambling
Disclaimer: Always refer to the Bet365 platforms for the latest updates and information.
This review is based on a personal experience of the Bet365 offers.
Validity Period for Bet365 promotions: 31/12/2020.
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Virginia became one of the latest states to legalize sports betting in 2020. Five sportsbook apps launched in time for Super Bowl LV betting, with the first app launching on January 21, 2021.
Numerous big names in the sports betting industry are set to launch throughout 2021. Some of these operators have deals with retail casino locations to be constructed over the next few years. Overall, the next few years are sure to be exciting for sports bettors all across the Old Dominion.
Virginia Sports Betting Apps 2021
Virginia Sports Betting Updates
- William Hill launches before Super Bowl in Virginia – on February 3rd William Hill launched in Virginia after partnering with Caesars Entertainment and became the fifth app. William Hill offers new players up to $2,021 risk-free bet.
- BetRivers and BetMGM join the fray – three days after DraftKings and six after FanDuel, two new sportsbooks entered the Virginia market. BetMGM and BetRivers both launched on January 27, 2021, bringing Virginia’s sportsbook total to four. You can get up to $250 at BetRivers and up a $500 risk-free bet at BetMGM.
- DraftKings goes live in Virginia – three days after FanDuel’s Virginia launch, DraftKings went live in the market on January 24, 2021. When you sign up for DraftKings Virginia, you can get a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
- FanDuel launches Virginia’s first sportsbook – FanDuel debuted in Virginia on January 21, 2021. It was the first sportsbook to go live in the state, thanks in part to a partnership with the Washington Nationals. New FanDuel bettors can place a risk-free first bet up to $1,000.
- The Virginia Lottery begins accepting sports betting applications – On October 15, 2020, the Virginia Lottery opened up sports betting license applications. Dozens of operators applied in total, with several also applying for partnerships with Virginian cities like Danville and Portsmouth, who voted on referendums to allow the construction of retail casinos.
- Virginia voters approve five retail casinos – On November 3, 2020, voters approved five retail casinos in a referendum. Three of the cities have already partnered with online sportsbook operators and the other two teamed up with a local Indian Tribe: BetRivers via Portsmouth, Caesars via Danville, Hard Rock Casino via Bristol, Pamunkey Indian Tribe via Norfolk and Richmond.
- Virginia Lottery publishes sports betting rules and regulations – By September 15, the Virginia Lottery published its sports betting regulations and rules. These include a $250,000 application fee for future operators and a $250,000 fee upon application acceptance.
- Virginia legalizes sports betting – Sports betting was finally legalized in Virginia on April 22, 2020, with the House and Senate bills HB 896 and SB 384, respectively. These bills allowed both online and retail sports betting, with provisions for up to five cities to build retail casinos over the next few years.
Review Of 5 Best Sports Betting Sites In Virginia
Willaim Hill Virginia (9/10)
Visit: Willaim Hill Virginia and get a $2,021 Risk-Free Bet
- Opening Bonus Offer: $2,021 risk-free bet
- Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
- Casino Partnerships: Caesars Entertainment
- Key Features: Largest risk-free bonus, biggest retail sportsbook footprint in US
- Deposit Options: Electronic wallets (i.e. PayPal or Skill), credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers
William Hill launched on February 3rd in Virginia just in time for the Super Bowl. With the largest risk-free opening bonus and a great website and app – William Hill is a great choice for Virginia sports bettors.
Best Betting App Promotions 2020
William Hill is the oldest continuously running sports betting company, with a large international footprint. They also operate the largest number of retail sportsbooks in the US. In Virginia, bettors can expect a strong and stable app, great ongoing promotions, and an easy-to-navigate live betting system on the app.
FanDuel Virginia (9/10)
Visit: FanDuel Virginia and get $1,000 Risk-Free Bet
- Opening Bonus Offer: $1000 risk-free bet
- Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
- Casino Partnerships: Washington Football Team
- Key Features: DFS, search bar, odds format changing, odds-changing mid-bet
- Deposit Options: Electronic wallets (i.e. PayPal or Skill), credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers
FanDuel is one of the two top dogs in American sports betting, and it already offers daily fantasy sports. This makes it no surprise that it was the first to confirm its launch in Virginia on January 21, 2021, only a day before its launch in Michigan.
With a generous opening bonus and a slick, streamlined user interface that makes the app easy to use even on high-traffic gamedays, FanDuel is likely to be a sports bettor favorite in Virginia.
DraftKings Virginia (9.5/10)
Visit: DraftKings Virginia and get $1,000 Deposit Bonus
- Opening Bonus Offer: Five $5 free bets + deposit match bonus at 20% rate up to $1000
- Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
- Retail Casino Partnerships: N/A
- Key Features: Easy access betting slip, special mobile-only wagers, DFS
- Deposit Options: Electronic wallets, credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers
DraftKings is also likely to have a big presence in the Virginia sports betting market. That’s partially because of its robust mobile app and its phenomenal market depth and variety, both of which blow most of its competitors out of the water. For example, DraftKings is one of the few operators to offer eSports betting on its mobile app where available under local state law.
DraftKings also has a very generous opening bonus totaling a little over $1000, an intuitive mobile app for all major platforms, and daily mobile-only betting pools that you can only access using the app rather than the desktop site.
BetRivers Virginia (8.5/10)
Visit: BetRivers Virginia and get a $250 Deposit Bonus
- Opening Bonus Offer: 100% deposit match up to $250
- Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
- Retail Casino Partnerships: To-be-built Portsmouth, VA casino
- Key Features: Sports newsfeed, “Live Right Now” wagers, live streaming
- Deposit Options: Electronic wallets, credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers
Sports betting enthusiasts will want to check out the BetRivers mobile app. Unlike most other prospective sportsbook launches, BetRivers is definitely known to be launching in 2021 since the operator has already made an agreement with Portsmouth, VA. This operator will provide retail sports betting once that city’s casino has been constructed.
The app itself is one of the best on the market. It has a phenomenal loyalty program and a very clean, minimalist user interface. This makes navigating to different betting pools or game events quick and easy.
BetMGM Virginia (7/10)
Visit: BetMGM Virginia and get a $600 Risk Free Bet
- Opening Bonus Offer: Risk free bet up to $600
- Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
- Retail Casino Partnerships: N/A
- Key Features: Easy access betting slip, special bets
- Deposit Options: Electronic wallets, credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers
BetMGM is an international sportsbook operator that’s likely to come to Virginia sometime early in 2021. As one of the biggest betting and casino companies in the world, this app offers excellent market depth and variety. Despite its recent arrival in the US, it has a solid user reputation already.
Included among its attractive features is a generous opening bonus, extra international betting pools, and markets for leagues and activities like international soccer, cricket, and Australian rules football, and more.
VA Sportsbooks Coming Soon
PointsBet Virginia (8.3/10)
- Opening Bonus Offer: $1500 in two risk-free bets
- Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
- Retail Casino Partnerships: N/A
- Key Features: Pointsbetting, search bar, live streaming, good layout
- Deposit Options: Electronic wallets, credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers
PointsBet is a relatively new sportsbook to come to America that offers phenomenal odds (especially for any fixed odds wagers). PointsBet shares its name from its special “pointsbetting” system – this allows players to participate in a special type of spread betting. If you have an appetite for high risk and high reward wagers, it’ll be a great app for you, even though its market depth and variety could be a little better.
All Virginia Sportsbook Sites
Sportsbook Name | Bonus Offer | Partner | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|
William Hill | Risk free bet up to $2021 | Caesars Entertainment | 2/3/21 |
FanDuel | $1000 risk-free bet | Washington Football Team | 1/21/21 |
DraftKings | Five $5 free bets + 20% deposit match bonus up to $1000 | N/A | 1/24/21 |
BetRivers | 100% deposit match bonus up to $250 | Portsmouth, VA casino | 1/27/21 |
BetMGM | $600 risk-free bet | N/A | 1/27/21 |
PointsBet | $2000 in 2 risk-free bets | N/A | Coming Soon |
How To Place A Bet In Virginia
Virginia’s sports betting legislation has made placing an online wager quick and easy.
Choose A Sportsbook
First, choose your sportsbook among the many that will launch sometime in the near future. To do this, either visit the Apple App Store and download the apps straight to your iPhone device or visit the sportsbook’s online website and download the program to your Android device. The Google Play Store doesn’t allow any gambling apps at all.
After downloading the app, open it to begin the registration process.
Register For An Account
Betting Apps Usa
Registering for a mobile sportsbook account will be simple. You do not need to visit a retail location in-person to complete the registration process (because Virginia doesn’t have any retail casinos anyway).
Provide your name, address, Social Security Number, and any other required pieces of information. The app will verify your info for a moment, then allow you into the app if you are older than 21 years old and in Virginia. The app will install geolocation software to make sure you are accessing the app within Virginia’s borders.
Deposit Cash
Most mobile sportsbooks allow you to utilize multiple deposit methods to fund your sports betting account. Most allow some combination of credit and debit card deposits, bank transfers, and electronic wallet transfers.
Simply choose the method you want to use and connect that method to your account. This may require signing into your deposit method of choice – for example, if you want to use PayPal, you may need to use your PayPal username and password to link that account to your sportsbook.
Then you can decide how much money you want to place in your account. This will allow you to take advantage of many sportsbooks’ opening bonuses based on their terms and conditions.
Place Bets
Once your account is funded, you can navigate through the app as you like and start placing wagers! Be sure to take advantage of any opening bonuses that might apply to your account. These include deposit match bonuses, risk-free bets, and more.
Virginia’s Legal Sportsbooks
Ultimately, Virginia’s legal sportsbooks are far superior to any illegal or offshore betting sites.
For starters, every Virginian sportsbook is licensed and regulated by the Virginia Lottery. This overseeing body performs regular investigations into all the sportsbooks within Virginia’s borders and makes sure that any operating sportsbook has excellent digital security to protect the financial data of its users.
Internet security is particularly important because identity theft and other cyber threats are much more common these days. In contrast, offshore or illegal sites usually don’t have high-quality security, let alone basic SSL certification. This means anyone who uses those sites puts their personal information and financial data at risk.
All licensed sportsbooks in Virginia must both have insurance for their users and must report their winnings to the state government and IRS. This does mean that you’ll need to pay taxes on any winnings you get from using a Virginia sportsbook. But it’s a small price to pay for security and peace of mind.
Virginia’s Sports Betting Revenue
It’s tough to say just how much revenue Virginia’s state government can expect once sports betting fully launches and gets going. However, certain studies have indicated that mobile sports betting revenue alone might approach $400 million over the next seven years or so.
When you consider the fact that Virginia is also launching retail casinos (which will incorporate their own brick-and-mortar sportsbooks), it’s clear that the Virginian state government has a lot to look forward to in terms of revenue.
The industry as a whole is set to explode. The more the market opens and develops, the more promotional opportunities and licensing deals will flood the state.
Per Virginia’s sports betting legislation, a 12% tax rate will apply to most sports betting revenue. For example, if the state generates (according to the above study) $462 million in annual revenue, the state government will receive around $55 million in taxes.
Mobile alone may generate close to $400 million in revenue and, therefore, also generate $40 million in taxes for the Virginian government. All in all, it’s likely that the government will appreciate its decision to legalize sports betting very soon.
How Virginia Compares To Other States
Although Virginia has been relatively barren in terms of gambling opportunity in recent years, its sports betting legislation is pretty similar to the rules adopted by other states, like New Jersey. For example, Virginia’s sports betting restriction against betting on collegiate teams from its own universities is identical to the laws adopted by New Jersey sportsbooks.
In contrast, Pennsylvania doesn’t have any restrictions on collegiate sports betting, which goes to show that individual states have clearly different opinions about what constitutes moral sports wagering.
Furthermore, there are states that have adopted sports betting without allowing casinos to be built. For instance, Tennessee now allows sports betting but does not allow either casinos or poker. In contrast, Virginia will allow retail casinos to be built across five cities (with more potentially being built in the future).
In summary, Virginia is around the middle of the pack in terms of gambling opportunities and freedom. Once the state government sees the extra income earned from sports betting, further restrictions may eventually be lifted.
Virginia Betting Successes And Failures
Virginia’s Sports Betting Success
So far, Virginia’s big sports betting success has undoubtedly been the launch of online sports wagering before the retail casinos are constructed. Because building a new casino or resort takes a few years at a minimum, Virginian residents are no doubt relieved that they’ll still be able to enjoy mobile sports betting before those brick-and-mortar locations are ready to be visited.
Furthermore, Virginia’s Lottery performed rather impressively when it came to creating the rules and regulations for sports betting. In just a few months, sports betting went from illegal in Virginia to fully licensed and regulated.
The Lottery began accepting applications on October 15, 2020, and finished accepting applications by Halloween. In total, eighteen sportsbooks are set to launch over the next few years when you combine online sites and retail operations. About 25 companies applied for licenses.
In other words, Virginia’s sports betting scene is so far impressive due to its speed. Few states have launched sports betting as successfully and efficiently.
Where Could Virginia Improve Online Gambling
This being said, Virginia could definitely improve its online gambling sphere by also legalizing online casino games and other activities like poker. For legal online gambling, Virginia bettors will need to travel to West Virginia.
For now, the only online gambling activity is sports betting (and daily fantasy sports, which technically doesn’t count as gambling). Even the state lottery must be played in person, preventing people from purchasing lottery tickets online.
However, it may be that Virginia legislators are looking to see how sports betting fully actualizes over the next few years before lifting the restriction on other forms of gambling. Hopefully, we’ll see many more gambling opportunities launch over the next decade.
Virginia could also make sports betting more accessible by allowing bets on local college teams, particularly in a state that doesn’t have any professional teams to officially call its own.
Legalization Effort In Virginia
The path to sports betting legalization in Virginia was long and hard-fought. Although the federal ban on sports gambling was lifted in May 2018, it took until 2019 for Virginian lawmakers to even begin debating sports betting proposals.
Then it took the rest of 2019 to reach an agreement. By April 2020, the Virginia House and Senate crafted a pair of bills outlining sports betting rules and restrictions. Both bills faced a little pushback from Governor Ralph Northam, who made a number of unspecified changes.
Fortunately, Northam did not stand in the way of progress and allowed both bills to pass the House and Senate. He then signed off on the final bills and set the date for legalization: July 1, 2020.
It’s likely that Northam was responsible for the two-month waiting period before official sports betting processes could begin. This allowed the weeks between July 15 and September 15 to be allocated to the Virginia Lottery, which then wrote detailed sports betting regulations.
Timeline For Virginia Sports Betting
- May 2018 – Sports betting ban is lifted at the federal level
- April 2020 – Bills HB 896 and SB 384 pass the Virginia House and Senate, respectively
- April 22, 2020 – Gov. Ralph Northam signs both bills and legalizes sports betting in Virginia
- July 1, 2020 – Sports betting officially becomes legal in Virginia
- July 15, 2020 – Temporary sports betting regulations are issued
- August 10, 2020 – Updated sportsbook draft regulations are released by the Lottery
- September 15, 2020 – Virginia Lottery publishes its official sports betting regulations
- October 15, 2020 – The Lottery starts accepting license applications from sportsbook operators
- October 31, 2020 – The sportsbook application window closes
- November 3, 2020 – The referendum for Virginian cities that decides whether they will allow or outlaw casino construction is held
- January 21, 2021 – Online and mobile sports betting launches in Virginia
Virginia Teams
Virginia Professional Sports Teams
Virginia residents have long dreamed of online sports betting coming to their state in large part because many of them are sports fanatics! Interestingly, Virginia doesn’t have a professional sports franchise of national repute.
However, Virginia is the state that most Washington DC professional sports teams call home. For instance, both the Washington Football Team and Washington Capitals (an NHL team) have their practice facilities and corporate headquarters stationed in Northern Virginia. This is even though both teams play outside of Virginia.
Thus, sports bettors would be wise to place wagers and look for promotional opportunities for the Washington Football Team. As a five-time NFL champion, this team is definitely one to watch, particularly when they face off against the Dallas Cowboys (their primary rival). Virginia bettors will also be able to place bets on the Baltimore Ravens and all other NFL teams.
But sports bettors should also check out the Washington Wizards, which is the closest professional NBA team for most Virginians to support. Games against the Cleveland Cavaliers are sure to be accompanied by excellent wagers and promotional opportunities due to the long-standing rivalry between both teams.
Other popular professional teams available for betting include the Washington Nationals, and the Baltimore Orioles. The Nationals have risen to prominence in the last few years and the Orioles have a strong rivalry with both the Yankees and the Red Sox.
Virginia College Sports Teams
While many Virginians love college sports, Virginia’s recent sports betting legislation has unfortunately placed severe limitations on college sports betting.
In fact, it will not be legal to place sports bets on Virginia college sports within the state. Instead, Virginia residents will only be allowed to place bets on college sports teams in other states (with the exceptions of proposition bets and live betting, which are still prohibited).
This is likely a big bummer for sports betting enthusiasts, as Virginia Tech and Virginia State University are two of the country’s leading teams for college football and basketball. But while Virginia sports bettors won’t be able to place wagers on the Virginia Cavaliers, Tech Hokies, or Liberty Flames, there are still lots of other options to bet on using the plethora of soon-to-launch sports betting apps. This includes being able to bet on the Georgetown Hoyas, the Maryland Terrapins, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, all popular local college basketball teams.
Other Sports To Bet On In Virginia
Aside from professional sports, Virginian sports bettors will likely be able to find and enjoy lots of excellent betting markets for activities like NASCAR: arguably the most popular non-ball-sport activity in the state. This is probably because Virginia is home to four different annual NASCAR races in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Additional races to look for high-value wagers and betting markets include:
- Xfinity 500
- ValleyStar Credit Union 300
- Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Virginia Sports Betting FAQs
Yes. As of July 1, 2020, online sports betting is legal provided it is done on a licensed app currently regulated by the Virginia Lottery. The first sports betting app launched on January 21, 2021.
You must be 21 years of age or older to bet online within Virginia’s borders. This is the same age for the state lottery.
The Virginia Lottery regulates all online sportsbook activity. In addition, this organization will oversee retail sportsbook operations once they launch at brick-and-mortar casinos throughout Virginian cities.
No. Any Virginia mobile sportsbook will request your address and install geolocation software as the app installs. This requires you to be within Virginia’s borders when placing a wager or using a mobile sportsbook. You do not need to be a resident of Virginia, just located within its borders.
Yes. Mobile sportsbooks currently (or soon to be) operating in Virginia are licensed and regulated by the Lottery. This means that the Lottery investigated the operator and found that they had both excellent digital security, such as SSL certification, and insurance to protect its users in the event of fraud or theft.
In other words, any legal online sportsbooks are well-vetted and should be safe to use. If you have any issues, you can bring a grievance to the Virginia Lottery and they will investigate on your behalf.
Yes and no. You are not allowed to place any sports wagers on Virginian college teams, like the Virginia Tech Hokies, regardless of league. However, you can place college sports bets on out-of-state college teams so long as they are not playing against a Virginia team. There is also a general prohibition against placing live bets or proposition bets on college sports.
More Resources On Virginia Sports Betting
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- Official Virginia House of Representatives sports betting bill HB 896
- Official Virginia Senate sports betting bill SB 384
- The Virginia Lottery, where you can file a complaint or learn more about their regulation process
- Virginia Mercury, an online newspaper with regular news about the Old Dominion and sports betting developments