Quick answer: Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Virginia since 2020, and the first legal apps went live in January 2021. If you are 21 or older, you can bet online anywhere in the state or in person at licensed casino sportsbooks. Online casinos are still not legal in Virginia as of September 2026.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Virginia in 2026. You can bet on your phone from anywhere inside state lines, or walk up to a window at a casino sportsbook. The Virginia Lottery runs the show and licenses every legal app.
But 2026 was a busy year in Richmond. Lawmakers taxed daily fantasy sports. They also killed online casinos, a new gaming commission and a plan to let you bet on Virginia college teams. This guide covers what’s legal, what changed, what didn’t, and how your winnings get taxed. Everything here was checked against state sources on September 25, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Legal and live: Virginia legalized sports betting in April 2020. FanDuel took the first legal online bet on January 21, 2021.
- 10 licensed apps: The Virginia Lottery lists Bally Bet, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, theScore Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet and BetRivers.
- 21+ only: You must be 21 and physically inside Virginia to place a bet.
- College limits stay: You still can’t bet on games with a Virginia college team, and all college player props are banned.
- 2026 law change: HB 145 put a 10% tax on fantasy sports operators, starting July 1, 2026.
- Failed in 2026: Online casinos (HB 161), in-state college betting (HB 1527) and a Virginia Gaming Commission (HB 271) did not pass.
This guide is based on official sources: bill records on Virginia’s Legislative Information System (LIS), the Virginia Lottery’s licensed operator list and sports betting rules, Virginia Tax guidance, and IRS publications. We also used industry reporting from Legal Sports Report for session details. Laws and operator lists can change, so check the official links before you bet. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: Daily Wager Zone may earn a commission if you sign up through our links at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our analysis or recommendations.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia? The Current Status
Virginia said yes to sports betting in April 2020. Governor Ralph Northam signed HB 896 and SB 384 into law. The Virginia Lottery wrote the rules, and apps started taking bets in January 2021. Retail sportsbooks at casinos came later.
The market is big and still growing. Virginia Lottery data shows bettors wagered about $7.7 billion in 2025. July 2026 alone topped $609 million, according to the Lottery’s monthly report.
What’s Legal Right Now
- Mobile sports betting: Legal statewide through Lottery-licensed apps.
- Retail sports betting: Legal at licensed casino sportsbooks, such as Hard Rock Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Caesars Virginia in Danville.
- Daily fantasy sports: Legal, but operators now need a Lottery permit and pay a new tax under HB 145.
- Land-based casinos: Legal at licensed casino sites regulated by the Virginia Lottery.
- Online casinos: Not legal. The 2026 bills failed.
What Passed in 2026: HB 145 and Fantasy Sports
The only big gaming bill to make it through was HB 145. Governor Abigail Spanberger approved it on April 13, 2026. It took effect July 1, 2026.
Here’s what it does. Fantasy operators pay a 10% tax on their fantasy revenue. They also pay a 2.6% fee to cover the Lottery’s cost of regulating them. Every fantasy operator must get a permit from the Virginia Lottery before offering contests. The law also narrows what counts as a “fantasy contest.” Legal Sports Report noted the final version bans contests played against the house.
For you, the takeaway is simple. Fantasy is still legal. But some games you used to see may change or disappear as apps adjust to the new rules.
What Failed in 2026
Three bills that would have changed your betting life did not become law. Here’s the scorecard.
| Bill | What It Would Do | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB 145 | Tax and permit fantasy sports operators | ✅ Signed April 13, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 |
| HB 161 | Legalize online casinos under the Virginia Lottery | ❌ Failed in conference, March 14, 2026 |
| HB 1527 | Allow bets on Virginia NCAA Division I teams | ❌ Left in committee, February 18, 2026 |
| HB 271 | Create an independent Virginia Gaming Commission | ⏳ Passed House; continued to 2027 in the Senate |
Licensed Virginia Sportsbooks
Only sportsbooks on the Virginia Lottery’s list are legal in the state. As of September 25, 2026, the Lottery’s licensed operator page shows 10 brands:
- Bally Bet
- bet365
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel
- Hard Rock Bet
- theScore Bet
FanDuel was first to launch in Virginia. It is also the sportsbook partner of the Washington Commanders, whose headquarters sits in Virginia. The rest rolled out over the following months and years.
Why does the list matter? A licensed app has to follow Virginia rules on fair play, age checks and paying you. If something goes wrong, you can file a complaint with the Virginia Lottery. That safety net only exists with licensed books.
How Virginia Sports Betting Works
Betting in Virginia is pretty easy once you know the basic rules. Here’s the short version.
Age and Location Rules
- Be 21 or older. No exceptions, online or in person.
- Be inside Virginia. Apps use geolocation to confirm where you are. You don’t have to live here. Visitors can bet too.
- Verify your ID. Expect to give your name, date of birth, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Use legal payment methods. Licensed apps take cards, bank transfers and similar options. They pay out in U.S. dollars.
What You Can Bet On
The Lottery approves moneylines, spreads, over/unders, parlays, teasers, props, live bets and futures. So the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, golf and more are all on the menu. If you’re new, start with our beginner’s guide to NFL betting. Then learn how NFL over/under bets work.
What You Can’t Bet On
Virginia has some of the tighter rules in the country. According to the Virginia Lottery’s sports betting rules, these bets are banned:
- Any single game that includes a Virginia college team, like UVA or Virginia Tech.
- Prop bets on any college sport, in any state.
- Youth sports.
- Props on injuries, unsportsmanlike conduct or referee calls.
- Award bets that depend on a vote, like MVP, Cy Young or the Heisman.
- Draft bets for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA and others.
That college rule is the one that bugs Virginia bettors most. You can bet on Alabama vs. Georgia. You can’t bet on Virginia Tech vs. anyone. HB 1527 tried to change that in 2026, and it failed.
Virginia Sports Betting Taxes
There are two kinds of tax here. One is paid by the sportsbooks. The other is paid by you.
What Sportsbooks Pay
Licensed operators pay a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue. That’s what they keep after paying winners, minus certain allowed deductions. Most of the money goes to Virginia’s general fund. The law sends 2.5% to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. That rate did not change in 2026.
What You Pay on Winnings
Every dollar you win is taxable income. That’s true whether you get a tax form or not. Virginia Tax treats gambling winnings as income, just like the IRS does.
- Federal tax: Winnings are taxed at your normal income tax rate.
- Virginia state tax: Rates run from 2% to 5.75%. The top 5.75% rate applies to taxable income over $17,000, so most working adults pay that rate on winnings.
- Tax forms: Sportsbooks send a Form W-2G for bigger wins. For 2026 payments, IRS draft instructions raise that threshold from $600 to $2,000. The win must also be at least 300 times your bet.
- Keep records: Save your app’s yearly win/loss statement. You’ll need it to back up any loss deduction.
The New 90% Loss Rule
This is the big 2026 change, and it’s federal. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed the rules for losses. Starting in 2026, you can only deduct 90% of your gambling losses, and never more than you won. The IRS confirms this in Publication 505. You also have to itemize to claim any loss deduction at all.
Say you win $10,000 over the year and lose $10,000. You broke even. Under the old rule, you could deduct all $10,000 of losses and owe nothing on those winnings. Under the 2026 rule, you can deduct only $9,000 (90% of $10,000). That leaves $1,000 of taxable income, even though you didn’t make a dime. At Virginia’s 5.75% rate, that’s about $57.50 in state tax, before any federal tax.
Congress is fighting over this. On September 16, 2026, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced a measure to bring back the full 100% deduction. That is not law yet. Until it is, plan for the 90% rule. Talk to a tax pro if you bet a lot.
Offshore Sportsbooks and Virginia Bettors
Let’s be blunt. Offshore sportsbooks are not licensed by the Virginia Lottery. They are not part of Virginia’s legal market, and state law does not protect you there. Virginia even runs a State Police tip line for reporting illegal gaming.
So why do some Virginia bettors still use them? Mostly for the bets the state bans. Think UVA and Virginia Tech games, college player props, or MVP futures. Some also like crypto banking. If you go that route, know exactly what you’re signing up for.
The Big Four Offshore Brands
These four long-running offshore names accept U.S. players. None of them hold a Virginia license.
- BetOnline Sportsbook: Deep betting menus, including college props that Virginia apps can’t offer.
- Bovada Sportsbook: A well-known name with a simple layout that’s easy for beginners.
- MyBookie: Frequent promos, but read the rollover terms before you take any bonus.
- BetUS: One of the oldest offshore brands, with a heavy focus on football.
The Risks You Need to Know
- No state help: If a payout stalls or your account gets closed, the Virginia Lottery can’t step in. You’re on your own.
- Crypto swings: Many offshore books push Bitcoin and other coins. Crypto prices move fast. A $500 deposit can be worth less by the time you cash out.
- KYC checks: “Know Your Customer” checks often hit right when you try to withdraw. Expect to send an ID and proof of address. Delays are common.
- Withdrawal limits: Offshore books often cap how much you can pull out per request or per week. Fees can apply. Check the cashier terms before you deposit.
- Taxes still apply: Offshore winnings are taxable too. You likely won’t get a W-2G, so tracking is on you.
| Feature | Licensed Virginia Apps | Offshore Books |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia license | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| State complaint process | ✅ Virginia Lottery | ❌ None |
| Virginia college games | ❌ Banned | Often listed |
| Crypto banking | ❌ No | Usually yes |
| Tax forms | W-2G on qualifying wins | Usually none; you still owe tax |
Want the full picture? Read the real risks of betting at offshore sportsbooks. Then see our guide to offshore sportsbooks for Bitcoin payouts.
What Virginia Didn’t Pass in 2026
The 2026 session ended on March 14 with a lot left on the table. Here’s what stalled and why it matters.
Online Casinos: HB 161
HB 161 and its Senate twin, SB 118, would have legalized online casinos under the Virginia Lottery. Both chambers passed a version. But they couldn’t agree on the final details. The bill failed in conference on March 14, 2026.
The plan called for a 20% tax on online casino revenue, plus an extra 6% to help land-based casinos. It also had a reenactment clause, which means lawmakers had to vote on it again in 2027 anyway. So the failure didn’t really slow the timeline. Expect the fight to return next session. For now, real-money online casinos are not legal in Virginia.
Virginia College Betting: HB 1527
HB 1527 would have let you bet on Virginia schools in NCAA Division I play. There was a big catch. Sportsbooks would have paid a 50% tax on those bets, with the money going to college athletic programs. The bill also only worked if Virginia created a gaming commission first. It died in the House General Laws committee on February 18, 2026.
A Virginia Gaming Commission: HB 271
HB 271 would have created an independent Virginia Gaming Commission. It would have taken over sports betting and casino oversight from the Lottery. The House passed it. The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee pushed it to 2027. Since HB 1527 depended on a commission, both ideas are now tied together.
Sweepstakes Casino Ban
A ban on sweepstakes casinos also stalled. SB 579 never cleared the Senate and was continued to next year. The online casino bills had ban language too, but they failed. So sweepstakes sites live on for now in Virginia.
What to Watch in 2027
- A new online casino bill, likely built on HB 161 and SB 118.
- Another shot at a Virginia Gaming Commission.
- Any change to the Virginia college betting ban.
- How fantasy apps adjust to the HB 145 tax and permit rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Virginia in 2026?
Yes. Virginia legalized sports betting in 2020, and online apps launched in January 2021. You must be 21 and inside Virginia to bet. Ten operators are licensed by the Virginia Lottery as of September 2026.
Can I bet on UVA or Virginia Tech games in Virginia?
Not at a licensed Virginia sportsbook. Bets on any single game with a Virginia college team are banned. Props on all college sports are banned too. HB 1527 tried to change this in 2026 but failed.
Are online casinos legal in Virginia?
No. HB 161 and SB 118 would have legalized them, but lawmakers couldn’t agree on a final version. The idea is expected to come back in the 2027 session.
Do I have to pay taxes on sports betting winnings in Virginia?
Yes. Winnings count as income for both federal and Virginia taxes. Virginia’s top rate is 5.75%. Starting in 2026, federal law lets you deduct only 90% of your losses, and only up to your winnings, if you itemize.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal in Virginia?
Offshore sportsbooks are not licensed by the Virginia Lottery and are not part of the state’s legal market. If you have a problem with one, no Virginia regulator can help you. Only the 10 Lottery-listed apps are legal in the state.
Gambling involves risk. Only wager what you can afford to lose. Must be 21+ to participate in sports betting or casino gambling in Virginia. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call, text or chat the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-888-532-3500, or call 1-800-522-4700 (National Council on Problem Gambling). You can also ask the Virginia Lottery about its Self-Exclusion Program.
