Sports Betting Locations in Virginia

Map of Retail Sports Betting in Virginia

In Virginia, sports betting is still relatively new since the state took steps in 2021 to legalize the industry. There’s a good variety of places where residents can wager on their favorite sports, including casinos, casino resorts and racetracks, all over the state from Richmond to Norfolk. See the full list in our map below:

Our Recommended Virginia Betting Locations

Virginia officially legalized casinos in April 2020 by passing a law that allowed for the construction of commercial casinos including retail sports betting operations. The Virginia Lottery is responsible for regulating this and they oversee licensing, compliance, and other aspects of sports betting operations. Check out our top recommended betting locations, which are fully licensed and regulated:

Types of Retail Sports Betting Locations

Retail locations in the state include casinos, racetracks, off-track betting facilities, and in the future potentially other venues like sports bars. There is already one state-licensed casino in existence, and four more are currently being built, to meet the five casino limit by law, so check back here as we update this page when new locations open. It should be noted that Virginia online sports betting is also available.

Casino Resorts

Casino resorts are designed to create a full destination experience, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities in one location, such as food, drink, gambling and accommodation. As the legislation is so new in Virginia, there are not many that are open and ready yet.

However, the good news is that the gaming bills that were passed in 2020 provided for the establishment of up to 5 casinos state-wide including casino resorts. Only one is currently open, The Hard Rock Casino and Resort in Bristol. The other casinos in Danville, Portsmouth, Richmond and Norfolk should each open in 2024.

Racetracks

Horse racing in Virginia has a long and storied history, dating back to the colonial era. Over the years, horse racing has evolved in the state, with both flat racing and harness racing being popular. In 1988, the Commonwealth of Virginia made pari-mutuel betting legal, and by 1994, Colonial Downs, the first and only horse racetrack in the state, got its license to operate.

Colonial Downs is a racetrack located in New Kent County, Virginia. It has historically hosted thoroughbred horse racing, and it played a significant role in the Virginia racing scene. However, it temporarily closed in 2014, reopening in 2019. It’s worth noting that you have to be at least 18 years old before you can bet on horses.

Off-Track Betting

In a legislature vote in 2018 off-track betting (OTB) facilities were allowed in Virginia as part of the state’s efforts to promote horse racing and provide convenient options for bettors to wager on horse races without having to be physically present at a racetrack. There are now many off track betting facilities in the state.

The track at Colonial Downs underwent renovations and hosted a series of live racing events. Off-track betting in Virginia is operated by authorized providers who have been granted licenses by the Virginia Racing Commission. These providers must adhere to state regulations and meet specific requirements.

List of Legal Land-Based Sportsbooks in Virginia

The new gaming bill allows for up to five casinos to be built in the state, and these casinos will have retail sports betting inside too. Many of these casinos are still under construction but are likely to be finished in the next couple of years. There are also other betting venues apart from casinos, and we can be sure that most cities in Virginia will have betting venues very soon.

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