Who is this article suitable for? - It’s for all of our Virginia online gambling-loving friends
Gambling is a fun activity, and everybody discovers this at a different time in their lives. Therefore, there will always be your experts and your rookies. Whichever one you are, there is always something valuable you can take from our articles. Strafe.com aims to serve all gambling lovers with the most recent and accurate information so you can make the smartest online gambling Virginia choices.
All you need to do is read on to find the most valuable information an online bettor needs in Virginia right now — experienced or not.
The legal history of online gambling in Virginia - What a turnaround
Virginia made quite a startling change in its mindset towards online gambling Virginia as it used to hold a very conservative stance towards such activities. However, once the legislative ball started rolling, a more progressive outlook emerged.
The Dominion State currently offers legal online sports betting as part of online gambling in Virginia. Here is a breakdown of the history of gambling in Virginia and where we stand today.
- 1987: Virginia legalized the state lottery, and all profits were to be given solely to the Dominion State’s education.
- 1989: The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) was brought to life. Its purpose was to manage all pari-mutuel betting on races that were held outside the State.
- 1997: Colonial Downs officially opens as Virginia’s first in-State race track, and, until today, it remains the State of Virginia’s only venue for horse racing.
- 2003: It was now the Virginia Racing Commission’s responsibility to manage all off-track betting operators and facilities.
- 2004: The first betting kiosks, named EZ Betting terminals, are introduced at horse racing tracks.
- 2016: Virginia officially became the first US state to legalize Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).
- 2018: The passing of Bill SB 1126 allowed the legal operation of land-based casinos in the Dominion State for the first time.
- 2020: The Virginia General Assembly and Senate finally passed SB 384 and HB 896, which made sports betting legal in Virginia.
- 2021: Online sports betting in Virginia officially went live!
Casino services remain land-based, but there are hopes that the first online casinos will be launched in the near future.
For online poker, it’s a whole different story, and there is still a long way to go until the legalities are sorted out. Under the VA Code, Section 18-2-325 bans any games that involve “uncertain or a matter of chance.”
This means that being an online poker operator in VA is still punishable by law. However, as the state of Virginia gets used to its new online sports betting provider status, maybe it’s just a case of allowing things to simmer for a while.
Editor’s recommendation - The best of the best of Virginia online gambling sites for users in the Dominion State
DraftKings was one of the first online sportsbooks to join the online sports betting operator clan in Virginia. This operator has a sterling reputation and something to offer for every avid sports betting fan. That’s why DraftKings Sportsbook VA is our official online gambling Virginia operator of choice.
DraftKings Sportsbook has a wide range of options in its betting market, so if you’re looking for something specific, you’re bound to find it on the DraftKings platform. Additionally, the operator offers an impressive range of betting options, including some inventive ones that can be used during live betting.
This VA sportsbook has a history of offering fantastic signup bonus deals as well as a variety of promotions to keep existing customers happy and entertained. You don’t have to worry too much about payment options as DraftKings VA provides a wide range of options, and the operator has a highly-rated app that is user-friendly and available on both iOS and Android.
Five expert tips for a secure and fair gambling experience on Virginia online gambling sites - Things to keep in mind
Read our reviews covering Virginia online gambling sites
If you have any concerns about having a secure and fair gambling experience in the Dominion State, there are a few things you need to check out before you decide to sign up at just any operator. Strafe.com conducts and publishes expert reviews about Virginia online gambling sites on a regular basis that cover all the most crucial details a newcomer and even experienced bettors need to know about.
Our Virginia online gambling sites reviews are so versatile that you can get a wealth of information from them apart from whether the operator is fair and secure. To be quite honest, if we find that an operator is not straightforward and fair, we will never recommend them on our platform.
You can sit back and relax because you’re on the right page.
What do other people say about operators offering online gambling in Virginia?
Now, don’t get us wrong — customer reviews can be very revealing when you’re looking for some real feedback on Virginia online gambling operators. However, to find the information and feedback that’s actually valuable, you need to sift through some reviews that may not be helpful for several reasons.
For example, customers who leave reviews about online gambling in Virginia can sometimes be emotional during the process, and they may be posting their reviews before the operator has had time to come in contact with them. This can create a misleading impression, especially in the case of emotional reviews.
What you should be looking for is trending topics in a customer review section as these trending topics will give you a better idea of what the operator may be lacking.
Always check out the State licensing info
One of the most frequent questions people ask is “can I gamble online in Virginia?” Well, if you want to find out the easy way, you can check out our reviews. However, you can also do your own investigation by checking for the licensing information on the Virginia online gambling operator’s site. You’ll most likely find this information in either an FAQ section or at the bottom of the page.
So, what information are you looking for when investigating online gambling in Virginia? All online gambling operators in Virginia are licensed and regulated by The Virginia Lottery as it also regulates on-site gambling activities. If you cannot find any licensing information on an online gambling site, our reviews, or by doing a Google search, then stay away.
Is the online gambling Virginia operator contactable?
Before you decide on signing up at a Virginia online gambling site, take a look at where and how the operator offers its contact details. For example, is there a customer support option somewhere on the page? Alternatively, does the operator list the address of its land-based partner on the site or a telephone number or email?
Ideally, a Virginia online gambling operator should provide a focused customer support service that has a good turnaround time regarding queries and a brilliant track record of solving issues. A live online chat service, a hotline, or a dedicated email address will definitely count in the operator’s favor.
Site security requires your undivided attention
The one thing about online gambling Virginia that shouldn’t be ignored is that everything happens online. And, as we know, there is such a thing as cybercrime. That’s why you need to ensure that the operator site you’re visiting is secure by checking for SSL encryption.
It’s really easy — just look for the padlock icon or HTTPS in your address bar in front of the URL. If there is no padlock and you can only read HTTP, then the site is not secure and you should exit immediately. SSL encryption keeps your information safe when visiting other websites.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Virginian residents? - Our main criteria
Bonus signup deals are a way for Virginia online gambling sites to attract attention to their brand and services and gain new clientele. From our perspective, this is a great thing; however, new customers don’t always know when a bonus deal is a good or a not-so-good offer.
Some promotions or bonus deals may look exactly the same from the outside, but when you inspect the terms and conditions, you may find that one gives you a chance to win something while another makes it almost impossible.
Bonus deals and promotions are an important part of our Virginia online gambling site reviews exactly for this reason. Our gambling experts know a good deal from a bad one, and we’ll be the first to tell you if an online bonus deal is not worth the digital ink it was written in.
Customer support: yay or nay?
While it’s important to check if customer support actually exists on an operator’s site, we take it a step further by looking into how the service is presented, whether it is efficient, and if the type of customer support mechanism built into the business is good enough to solve customers’ issues on a timely basis.
Yes, the presence of customer support is an indication of quality, but responsive, on-the-ball customer support at your fingertips is a sign of excellence.
Licensing and legalities
Licensing is a top priority when it comes to our VA online gambling operator reviews, and if we get as much as a sniff that an operator is not licensed and regulated or that it has had issues with the law in the past, we will not recommend it to our readers.
As for online gambling in Virginia, all online operators should be licensed and regulated by The Virginia Lottery Board, so that’s something we always check.
Variety
Variety in terms of market depth, betting options, game variety, and other options like streaming are things we look for in VA gambling operators. A` Virginia gambling operator cannot expect their customers to all be the same just because they all like wagering, so we’re always looking for US gambling sites that provide a variety of options that are all high quality.
Our reviews cater for individuals, so whatever you’re looking for in a VA gambling operator, you’ll find in our reviews if our experts spotted it.
Awesome Virginia betting sites to check out
1.
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
SI Sportsbook Sports Bonus
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
Highlights
- 13 sports to choose from
- Great in-play and live odds
- Over 100 betting markets
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
2.
DraftKings Sports Bonus
20% up to $1000
Highlights
- 21 sports to choose from.
- No specific betting limits listed.
- Ability to bet in-play on most sports.
3.
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
FanDuel Sports Bonus
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
Highlights
- Offers a $1000 risk-free bet
- Amazing joining offer
- Promo codes for specific bets
4.
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
FanDuel Fantasy Sports Bonus
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
Highlights
- Huge range of available sports.
- Live streaming of events.
- $10,000 withdrawal limit.
5.
PointsBet Sports Bonus
–
Highlights
- Risk-free bets of up to $2,000 for new customers
- Up to $500 of free bet credits as sign up bonus
- PointsBet offers unique promotions to returning customers
Finding the right operator for you for online gambling in Virginia - Consider your betting style
How do you prefer to pay?
Do you do everything with your credit card or do you prefer a service like Paypal? With most Virginia online gambling sites, the withdrawal methods are usually a bit different from the deposit methods, and the options are also more limited. If you are someone who’ll choose a service provider based on its payment methods, then this is a spec you need to look into before signing up at any online gambling Virginia operator.
What do you want to bet on?
What’s your poison? If you’re an avid football sports bettor, then you’re likely to find your match around every corner. However, if you’re looking for something more exotic, taking a look at our Virginia online gambling reviews will be a great option for you — everything you need to know is at your fingertips.
There’s nothing like a fresh weekly promo to get you going when you log on! That’s why it’s important to know if a VA gambling operator is the type to offer lots of promos and bonus deals for its customers or whether it just provides the basics and lets you be. If you’re a promos kind of bettor, make sure to take a look at our reviews as we cover them just for you!
Want to be a VIP?
VIP clubs are not extremely common at Virginia online gambling sites — some may have more of a loyalty-based program going. However, if you want to be an exclusive member, then looking for an operator that provides this VIP experience is what you need to do.
Are you looking for specific services like live betting or live table games?
Some Virginia online gambling operators offer the basics, and some provide some more bells and whistles like streaming, live betting, and when it comes to casinos, live table games. Is this something you couldn’t live without? Make sure it’s part of the package before you sign up, consult our reviews if you’re not sure.
Conclusion - Virginia online gambling sites are looking great
Now that our experts at Strafe.com have set the record straight, it’s time for you to go and find your perfect Virginia online gambling sites. You can use the tools we provide in the review to find a nice, personalized operator, look at our advice on what to look for in a legit VA gambling operator, and also make sure you read our reviews regularly at Strafe.com for details are often a-changin’ at our favorite online gambling sites in the State of Virginia.
You can always find the most updated version of bonus deals, events, and reviews on our site. Enjoy!
Top VA betting bonuses
1.
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
2.
Bonus Details
Requirements (WR):
25x Bonus
3.
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
4.
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
5.
Virginia online gambling sites FAQ
💲Can I play online poker in the State of Virginia?
Virginia is a state that has recently legalized some forms of online gambling in the state. However, there is still legislation that needs to be reviewed as well. If you want to find out what your gambling options are in the Dominion State, take a look at our detailed VA operator reviews.
📋 How does Strafe.com review an online gambling operator in VA?
Our gambling experts at Strafe.com have a specific formula when it comes to reviewing Virginia online gambling sites, and we go into great detail! We share the main points that our successful reviews are based on in this article, so make sure to read it if you want some inside info.
🏆What is my best online sportsbook option in VA?
Being named the best online sportsbook in Virginia can depend on many things, especially if you’re looking for a sportsbook that’s a hundred percent perfect for you as opposed to a general top-quality sportsbook. Read our article to get a full recommendation of the VA sportsbook you should be taking a look at right now and some tips on how to identify your ideal sports betting partner.
