Sports Betting Q&A
Frequently asked questions about sports betting

When will sports betting be legal in Virginia?

Last Updated: Jan 22, 2021
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Fact Checked By: Adam Zdroik

Sports betting laws went into effect July 2020 after the governor signed the final bill. However, there were still some hoops to go through and residents weren't able to make their first bets until January 2021.

According to the legislation, sports betting would be allowed in person and online via the state lottery which is in charge of approving licenses. Of note, bettors would not be able to wager on Virginia college teams.

FanDuel Sportsbook was the first to launch after securing a partnership with the Washington Football Team.

While those details are hammered out, sports fans can still take part in Daily Fantasy Sports, which were legalized in 2016. Horse racing betting is also legal and the state is home to one racetrack, Colonial Downs in New Kent.

Most initial sports betting will be done online, as casinos are projected to be ready for business by the end of 2022 or early 2023, which will open the door for physical sportsbooks.

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