Virginia’s Gambling Laws
The Virginia Lottery regulates most forms of wagering, including bingo, lottery, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports. Land based casinos are legal only in selected cities and only after local voters approve them during a state referendum. This framework was established in 2020, leading to casino developments in Danville, Briston, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Portsmouth, each operating under local oversight. Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering fall under the Virginia Racing Commission, which monitors live racing, off-track betting, and advance deposit wagering.
Compared to other states, Virginia falls somewhere in the middle. For example, West Virginia is more permissive, having already legalized online casinos and poker. Still, it offers more options than states like Georgia, which allow only the lottery and charitable games.
Sports Betting
To date, there are 16 sportsbooks where players can bet on their favorite teams and outcomes. However, it’s important to note that betting on collegiate sports, or college sports, is currently illegal. Fortunately, you can bet on professional teams online without needing to be physically present at casinos in Virginia.
Online Horse Betting
Horse betting is also regulated in Virginia. While it’s perfectly legal to bet online without visiting a racetrack or off-betting site, only advanced deposit account wagering, or ADW, betting is allowed. This means you must fund your account ahead of time before placing a bet. The Virginia Racing Commission regulates online horse betting, and its website has current listings of authorized online gambling sites for horse racing such as TVG and TwinSpires.
Lottery
The Virginia Lottery is one of the oldest forms of legal Virginia gambling. It is perfectly legal to buy lottery tickets both in-person and online through the state’s lottery site. The state is one of only a handful that allows residents to play instant games similar to those found on other casino sites. There are many online games to choose from.
Taxes on Gambling Winnings in Virginia
In the Old Dominion State, all gambling winnings are taxable, and residents must report total winnings on their tax return, whether they come from the lottery, sports betting, or other activities. The federal tax usually comes at a flat 24% rate, but it can increase depending on the tax bracket. Virginia also applies state tax with progressive rates ranging from 2% to 5.75%, depending on the total income. For lottery prizes above $5,000, the state also requires a 4% withholding at payout under the Administrative Code. Under federal law, losses can be deducted, but only if they are thoroughly documented and do not exceed the amount of winnings for the year.
When Will Online Gambling Be Legalized?
In terms of online gambling, Virginia has seen gradual legislative interest, but no legalization of VA online casinos or poker yet. Lawmakers have focused more on improving the existing framework than on expanding full online gambling. The timeline of key developments looks as follows:
- 2020. The General Assembly passed SB 384, legalizing sports betting under the Virginia Lottery.
- 2021. Retail and online sports betting become legal.
- 2024. A dozen sportsbooks, including Caesars and FanDuel, are available.
- January 2025. SB 827 was introduced to expand online gambling and potentially grant Virginia’s commercial casinos iGaming licenses.
- February 2025. SB 827 was postponed due to insufficient research and is expected to be reintroduced in 2026.
- January 2026. Introduction of SB 118, which aims to authorize slots, online poker, and table games.
Even though the Old Dominion State hasn’t legalized real money casinos yet, continued industry lobbying and bipartisan sponsorship suggest that legalization could become possible in the next legislative session. Especially if regulatory models and tax revenue projections in the neighboring states influence lawmakers’ decisions. We’ll keep watching the news for updates.
Land Based Casinos in Virginia
In November 2020, the majority of residents voted in a statewide referendum to approve commercial casinos. They now operate in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, and are overseen by the Virginia State Lottery Board. The most popular venues are discussed in the paragraphs below.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth
3630 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701One of the first land based casinos in the Old Dominion State, Rivers Casino is located on approximately 50,000 square feet. It features about 1,500 slot machines, half a hundred table games, tens of poker tables, a full-service sportsbook, and numerous restaurants. Rivers Casino doesn’t have an on-site hotel yet, but the Landing Hotel Portsmouth is expected to open in early 2027.
Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Bristol
500 Gate City Hwy, Bristol, VA 24201The permanent Hard Rock Casino & Hotel opened in Bristol in 2024. As a representative of the popular international brand, it features around 900 slots, 60 table games, and a sportsbook. Hard Rock’s entertainment venues include event spaces, several shops, and multiple dining options, including Constant Grind and Brick’d Italian Kitchen.
Caesars Virginia
1100 W Main St, Danville, VA 24541Just like Hard Rock in Bristol, Caesars Virginia in Danville was opened at the end of 2024. Located on a large property, it features around 1,500 slots, almost 100 table games, around 50 electronic games, a WSOP poker room, and, of course, Caesars sportsbook. There’s also a hotel with hundreds of rooms, a spa, a pool, a fitness center, and multiple dining options.
Responsible Gambling
To have a fun and safe experience, Virginians should always play responsibly and pay attention to the slightest signs of addiction. This can be done by staying conscious and using one of the multiple responsible gambling tools that VA online casinos offer. If the situation gets out of control, we recommend contacting the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous, or the Virginia Lottery Play Responsibly Program, which offer a range of supportive measures and resources, as well as 24/7 helplines.
Conclusion
Virginia has a well-regulated gambling industry in which horse racing, charitable games, and sports betting peacefully coexist. Residents can also play thousands of games at popular sweepstakes casinos like Sportzino and Chanced, and claim rewarding bonuses at Crown Coins and Funrize. The Lucky Gambler team will continue to follow the market to share the latest updates and the best Virginia gambling sites with you.
