Virginia Online Gambling
Virginia online gambling includes a variety of regulated options such as sports betting, daily fantasy sports, online lottery sales, and horse racing wagers. Lawmakers have also considered legislation to legalize online casinos and poker sites in Virginia, but progress on that front has been slow. In the meantime, sweepstakes casinos remain a popular but unregulated alternative.
Read on for a comprehensive overview of the Virginia online gambling market, including what’s legal, what’s prohibited, responsible gambling resources, and other key information players need to know.
Legal Virginia Gambling Sites
21+ and present in VA. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Virginia Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited under VA Code § 18.2-325; no licensed online casinos |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (18+) | Legal/Unregulated | Operates in a legal gray area under sweepstakes laws |
| Online Poker (n/a) | Illegal | Covered under general prohibition on illegal gambling |
| Online Sports Betting (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Legal under VA Code § 58.1, ch. 40, art. 2 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (18+) | Legal/Regulated | Legal under VA Code § 59, ch. 51 |
| Fantasy Pick’em Contests (18/21+) | Legal/Regulated | Governed under general DFS statutes; some uncertainty regarding legality, but all major platforms operational in VA |
| Online Lottery Sales (18+) | Legal/Regulated | VA Lottery offers online ticket sales and instant win games |
| Online Horse Racing (18+) | Legal/Regulated | Virginia Racing Commission actively regulates ADW platforms |
Virginia Online Casinos
Online casinos are illegal in Virginia.
State law defines illegal gambling broadly under VA Code § 18.2-325 as placing bets on contests of chance, which encompasses online slots, table games, and other casino activities without specific exemptions.
Without legal options, Virginians often turn to unregulated offshore casinos, which lack consumer protections such as fund security and fair play assurances.
Additionally, players risk penalties under VA Code § 18.2-326 for participating in illegal gambling, though enforcement typically targets operators.
Sweepstakes casinos are a better alternative for Virginians seeking casino-style games online. Although sweepstakes casinos are also unregulated, they pose less legal risk because they don’t flagrantly violate state law (see next section for more information).
Will Virginia Legalize Online Casinos?
There’s certainly support for legalization in the legislature, but it’s hard to estimate whether there’s enough to overcome the significant concerns raised by opponents.
In January 2025, Sen. Mamie Locke introduced SB 827 to legalize, regulate, and implement a licensing framework for online casinos in Virginia.
The bill would have imposed a 15% tax and a $1 million application fee, but the sponsor requested a one-year deferral so that lawmakers could study the fiscal impacts and responsible gambling safeguards.
The Department of Planning and Budget warned the measure might cannibalize lottery and brick‑and‑mortar casino revenue, while the Virginia Lottery projected a net negative impact on state finances. These concerns, combined with uncertainty over regulatory capacity, stalled the proposal.
The Virginia Lottery has not indicated plans to pursue online casino regulation independently, focusing instead on sports betting and lottery sales.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Virginia
Sweepstakes casinos operate in a legal gray area in Virginia.
The sweepstakes business model complies with state and federal sweepstakes laws by offering ways for customers to play casino-style games for prizes with “no purchase necessary.”
By providing no-cost participation methods, sweepstakes casinos remove the “consideration” element required to meet Virginia’s definition of illegal gambling.
Popular sweepstakes platforms like Spree Casino, WOW Vegas, and TaoFortune Casino boast gaming catalogs spanning 900+ titles in some cases.
Players can expect to find games like online slots, real-money roulette, and other casino staples, but lightly modified to ensure compliance with local laws governing sweepstakes promotions.
Regulatory Risks Threaten Virginia Sweepstakes Casinos
Although sweepstakes casinos structure their operations around US sweepstakes laws to avoid classification as online gambling, they still face regulatory risks in Virginia.
There are at least three scenarios where sweepstakes casinos could come under direct fire in Virginia:
1. National Sweepstakes Crackdown Spreads to Virginia
Multiple states have taken action against sweepstakes operators in recent years via:
- Cease-and-desist letters
- Attorneys general opinions finding them illegal
- Legislation to ban sweepstakes casinos
This national trend indicates a growing intolerance for the sweepstakes gambling model. Virginia has not yet followed suit, but that could change at any time, especially as lawmakers consider passing legislation to legalize online gambling.
2. Preemptive Prohibition Ahead of Legalizing Online Casinos
If Virginia makes a serious run at legalization, there’s a nonzero chance the state will preemptively ban sweepstakes casinos to clear the market for platforms that will provide significant tax revenue to the state.
3. Officials Leverage Existing Statutes to Shutter Sweepstakes Casinos
Existing law may be sufficient for the state to shutter sweepstakes casinos in Virginia. In 2019, lawmakers passed SB 1738 to amend the state’s definition of “gambling” (VA Code § 18.2-325) to include:
“…the purchase of a product, Internet access, or other thing made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value…”
Lawmakers passed SB 1738 to target brick-and-mortar sweepstakes cafes, but this expanded definition is directly relevant to online sweepstakes casinos as well.
A prosecutor or AG could argue that sweepstakes casinos meet the definition of illegal gambling under this statute. Although local officials haven’t yet used this statute to target online sweepstakes operators, it provides a powerful legal tool for a potential future crackdown.
Virginia Online Poker
Real-money poker sites occupy the same legal status as online casinos in Virginia: prohibited until state law changes.
Senate Bill 827 would have authorized online poker, but the study delay eliminated any chance of a definitive timeline for when legal poker sites will come to Virginia.
Until then, Virginians may access free‑to‑play social poker apps or play sweepstakes poker online.
However, caution is warranted for anyone considering using sweepstakes poker sites in Virginia. Players should keep in mind these key points:
- Virginia does not regulate sweepstakes poker sites: Unlike licensed online sportsbooks, sweepstakes sites are not regulated by any state agency, such as the Virginia Lottery. This means there is no official government body to ensure game integrity, security of funds, or mediate disputes.
- The legal landscape can change quickly: States are increasingly scrutinizing and taking action against sweepstakes casinos and poker sites. Officials can issue cease-and-desist orders, and legislatures can ban this model with little warning.
- Stick with established operators: Virginia’s lack of a regulatory authority over sweepstakes poker sites means players should only use established operators with positive reviews.
Virginia Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal and regulated in Virginia.
Virginia’s first legal online sportsbooks launched in January 2021, and the market has grown to include every major online betting brand.
Fans 21 and older can choose from numerous online sportsbooks, including:
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
The Virginia Lottery is responsible for granting sports betting licenses, ensuring sportsbooks adhere to strict consumer protection regulations, and promoting responsible gambling.
Here are the key things fans need to know about betting online in Virginia:
- Minimum age: 21
- College restrictions: No bets on games involving Virginia colleges; no proposition bets on any college sports
- Other restricted bet types: No wagers on injuries, officiating calls, subjective awards (e.g., MVP, Heisman, etc.), drafts, or youth sports
Read more:
Virginia Daily Fantasy Sports
The Virginia legislature formally legalized daily fantasy sports and established a regulatory framework in 2016 with the passage of the Fantasy Contests Act.
Under the Act, daily fantasy sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel must register with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP) prior to hosting contests for Virginia residents. Registration involves providing key information about the business and comes with an $8,300 registration fee.
Once registered, Virginia fantasy sites must adhere to certain consumer protection regulations outlined in the Act. Some of the key requirements include:
- Ensuring all customers are at least 18 years of age
- Providing tools players may use to self-restrict from participating in fantasy contests
- Segregating player funds from operational funds
- Submitting to an annual audit with a certified public accountant
The OCRP maintains an updated list of registered fantasy contest operators here.
Fantasy Pick’em Contests in Virginia
Licensed Virginia fantasy sports sites offer pick’em-style contests, but there is ongoing uncertainty regarding their legality.
A 2023 Attorney General opinion classified pick’em as not true fantasy contests, which could make them illegal under Virginia’s gambling laws. However, the opinion was non-binding, and the state has taken no enforcement actions against operators.
Fantasy pick’em apps like PrizePicks and ParlayPlay are licensed in Virginia and still offer pick’em-style contests.
Virginia Online Lottery Sales
It is legal to play lottery games online in Virginia.
The Virginia Lottery sells lottery tickets and offers online instant games directly through its official website and mobile app. This was authorized in 2020 as part of a broader gambling expansion bill. Players must be 18 or older and physically located within Virginia to purchase tickets or play games online.
The VA Lottery app offers a wide variety of games, including tickets for major drawings and dozens of online-only instant games that play like scratch-offs.
The platform also includes responsible gambling tools, allowing players to set deposit and spending limits.
Read more:
Online Horse Racing Betting in Virginia
Online horse racing betting is legal and regulated in Virginia. The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) oversees all pari-mutuel wagering in the state, including online betting through licensed advance deposit wagering apps/websites (ADWs).
Residents who are 18 or older can sign up for ADW accounts to wager on live and simulcast horse races from tracks around the world.
The most prominent licensed horse racing betting sites in Virginia include TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, and DK Horse. These licensed ADWs provide live streaming of races, detailed handicapping stats, and a variety of wagering options, from simple win/place/show bets to complex exotics.
The VRC regulates OTBs and ADWs under VA Code § 59.1-364 et seq.
Virginia Gambling Regulators
Gambling regulation in Virginia is divided among several agencies, with ongoing proposals to consolidate under a new Virginia Gaming Commission.
- Virginia Lottery: Oversees sports betting, land-based casinos, lottery sales, and fantasy contests; handles licensing and enforcement.
- Virginia Racing Commission (VRC): Regulates horse racing, ADWs, and off-track betting facilities.
- Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP): This division under the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) regulates daily fantasy sports contests and ensures licensed operators comply with state law.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Virginia
Virginia provides several resources for individuals seeking help with problem gambling. The state has a comprehensive self-exclusion program and supports various help organizations.
Self‑Exclusion & Player‑Protection Tools
- Virginia Lottery Voluntary Exclusion Program: Online enrollment for all regulated forms of gambling in Virginia.
- Online Sportsbooks and Racebooks: State law requires licensed online sportsbooks and ADWs to provide deposit, spend, and time‑limit features.
Responsible Gambling Organizations
- Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG): Confidential helpline 1‑888‑532‑3500 and live chat.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: 24/7 helpline 1‑800‑GAMBLER.