Virginia Sports Betting Apps – Which Mobile Sites & Apps Are the Best in 2023

Since 2021, legal sports betting has been available in the state of Virginia. Sports betting sites in Virginia are continuing to grow and thrive around the state, but there are even more options available beyond the well-known sportsbook apps like FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. 

By joining offshore sports betting sites, Virginians can open themselves up to even more exciting bonuses and promotions, betting markets for global leagues and even access to online casinos, which are not yet available from locally-regulated operators. 

In this guide, we will show you the best offshore sportsbooks to join, what makes them the best choices and the types of betting markets and bonuses you can find on them.

Highest-Rated Mobile Sportsbooks for Virginia Bettors

The Best Mobile Sports Betting Sites

We used our grading system at Bookmakers Review to come up with the 10 best mobile sports betting sites that will accept Virginia users. You can win real money today by placing sports bets at these sites:

1. Bookmaker: Releases competitive betting lines early
2. Heritage Sports: Best for cashback-reduced juice
3. Bovada: Best prop builder
4. BetOnline: Best for unique sports promos
5. BetAnySports: Best reduced juice betting lines
6. BetUS: Best for expert analysis
7. WagerWeb: Best new player welcome bonus for crypto users
8. JustBet: Best for reload bonuses
9. Everygame: Best site design
10. SportsBetting.ag: Best for contests and poker

Is mobile sports betting legal in Virginia?

Yes, the sports betting laws changed in 2020 in Virginia, and by January 2021, many popular operators like Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook had received their sports betting licenses and begun operations. 

The legalization process took a few years after the reversal of PASPA by the Supreme Court in 2018, but once Virginia settled on a fair legal sports betting bill, it got the job done.

Mobile Sportsbook Comparison

We have included a more detailed review of our top five mobile sportsbooks, each of which has received an A+ rating. These sites are located offshore in countries where online gambling is legal, so they will accept Virginia players today.

1. Bookmaker: Best for Early Lines

Bookmaker.eu has been a top-tier choice in the online sports betting industry due to its reputation for setting the earliest lines in the sportsbook. This is why sharp bettors love Bookmaker, and why new bettors in Virginia should give it a try as soon as possible.

Prop bets and live betting are also well done at Bookmaker, in addition to being the best online sportsbook to bet sides and totals at. They have a wide variety of leagues and sports from around the world. You have high limits to bet with as well and the best part is that winning players will not be limited on the amount they bet.

There is no downloadable app for Bookmaker, but the mobile site is very good and can be added to your mobile device’s home screen, making it perform like an app with quick access. Those who bet frequently with Bookmaker will enjoy the benefits of a great reward program where you can get cashback and nice deposit bonuses. 

2. Heritage Sports: Best for Cashback-Reduced Juice

Heritage Sports has been around since 2001. Once a site that was invitation only, it is open to all users in Virginia and elsewhere now. You get some of the best cashback programs out there, as you can get a daily rebate for horse racing, a weekly rebate for net casino losses and a quarterly rebate for your total sports betting volume.

Reduced juice is another thing Heritage Sports does well, with -108 lines on all sports and not just NHL like you see at BetOnline. They have just about every sport and league you can imagine at Heritage Sports, and the live betting section is always showing something to bet on at all hours of the day.

The sign-up bonus is not as big here, but you can make up for it with cashback rebates. You also get lower rollover requirements on bonus funds at Heritage Sports, and the bonus funds can be used anywhere on the site with no restrictions.

3. Bovada: Best Prop Builder

Bovada is a very popular offshore sportsbook that has competitive odds, a wide variety of sports and leagues, good live betting, and plenty of poker tournaments. This makes it a top choice for those seeking an all-around excellent online gambling experience.

The sportsbook comes with one of the best prop builders around. It makes it very easy to find your favorite props for a variety of leagues, and you can put them together for a parlay. The site is neatly organized with an A-Z listing of sports markets, and there is even a unique numbers game similar to roulette in which you can bet on the next number drawn every 40 seconds.

The sportsbook is well designed, the racebook is also very good, and you can get a huge welcome bonus if you use crypto as your deposit method. The only downside with Bovada is the lack of ongoing promotions for loyal users, but there is a good rewards program where your points never expire and you stay in the same tier no matter how long your account is inactive. The more you spend at Bovada, the more reward points you earn to be redeemed for bonus bets and entries into poker tournaments. 

Bovada used to have an app you could download, but now it is just a mobile site. Fortunately, it is a very good one that you can add to your device’s home screen and use just like you would an app.

4. BetOnline: Best for Unique Sports Promos

BetOnline does a good job of giving sports bettors opinionated lines on popular markets. Instead of just betting at -110 or -115 odds on a spread or total, BetOnline may throw a -113/-107 curveball in the betting odds. In the prop picks, you could find even more versatility with alternate lines than you would find at licensed Virginia sportsbooks such as FanDuel and BetMGM. BetOnline also allows you to parlay over/under on player receptions in the NFL, a no-no at many of the licensed operators in Virginia. 

Beyond the opinionated lines, BetOnline offers deep markets, including cricket, cycling, darts, snooker and even surfing. Yes, you can bet on a surfing tournament in Portugal by using BetOnline. 

You can even live bet on esports Soccer leagues, as BetOnline has a very good live betting apparatus. But if you need a little more than sports, BetOnline always does a great job with poker games and a plethora of casino games too.

5. BetAnySports: Best Reduced Juice Betting Lines

There is a learning curve to using BetAnySports because you will have to understand what is available in the different sports sections with lines for various markets. Some offer the best reduced juice on our list with -105 odds, and some are better for placing live bets.

But once you get used to using the BetAnySports sportsbook, which has a great prop builder, you will find it is one of the best choices you can make. The only downside is the site runs on a smaller budget than the likes of Bovada and BetOnline, so you do not get a poker room or very generous welcome bonuses. 

But if you choose a different promotion than reduced juice, you can get a 25% rebate on your sportsbook losses once every 30 days. You can even request a cashback rebate every day at 5% of your losses. Everyone wants to be a winner in sports betting, but that is hard to do consistently, so this is a nice rebate offer for those with a large betting volume.

BetAnySports lacks a flashy site design and could make things clearer in the layout, but it is a very good online sportsbook to use on a frequent basis. You also get access to a solid casino and the only site in our top 10 with its own lottery section.

Details About Our Rating Methodology

We will get into our rating methodology below, but for an online sportsbook to offer a solid experience, we need a wide variety of betting options, banking options, customer service contact methods, and a mobile site that can handle live betting to keep up with the rest of the sports betting industry. 

The History of Virginia’s Gambling Laws

The main thing to understand about the recent explosion in the legalization process for sports betting in America is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, otherwise known as PASPA. When this passed in 1992, it effectively banned sports betting around the country.

But after a long legal battle, PASPA was finally ruled unconstitutional for violating the Tenth Amendment in 2018. It was overturned, and all 50 states were then allowed to choose the right to legalize sports betting in their state.

Over 30 states have done so in the last five years, and Virginia is one of them. But prior to this move, Virginia was already ahead of the curve in 2016 when it became the first state to pass a law legalizing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). The operators like FanDuel and DraftKings had to pay a licensing fee to operate DFS games in the state of Virginia.

Once the state passed a sports betting law in 2020, other sportsbooks would also have to apply for licenses with the state and pay a licensing fee to offer their betting services. By January 2021, legal online sports wagering was underway in Virginia, with many of the top retail sportsbooks having apps and sites ready to go.

While the online sportsbooks have been the bigger part of Virginia’s sports betting industry, there is a physical sportsbook (BetRivers) now open at a retail location after Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in January 2023. It is the first permanent casino built in the state, with three more soon to come in the cities of Danville, Bristol and Norfolk over the next few years. This will expand in-person retail sports betting in the state while the online markets continue to grow. 

Virginia’s Gambling Timeline

The following timeline shows the key events leading to legal sports betting in Virginia:

• January 2023: The first full casino in Virginia, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, debuts with a retail sportsbook from BetRivers.   
• January 2021: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and other retail sportsbooks begin operations.
• November 2020: The initiative to build land-based casinos receives support from Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth voters.
• 2020: Governor Ralph Northam signs Virginia’s sports betting law and legalized sports betting joins the state’s growing list of gambling options. Bettors, however, are not allowed to wager on local college teams or college prop bets.
• 2018: The Supreme Court overturns PASPA. States can now choose whether to make sports betting legal.
• 2016: Virginia becomes the first state to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS). 

What to Look for in the Top Mobile Sportsbooks

When searching for the best online sports betting sites, there are criteria we love to judge them by. The following sections are going to explain what makes these features important if you want to find a top site in the oversaturated online sports betting market. 

Competitive Betting Odds

Top sports bettors will tell you to keep an account with multiple sportsbooks because some are going to offer better prices for the bets you want to make. It is always a good idea to shop around for the best betting odds. Some sportsbooks do a great job of offering reduced juice, which is -105 or -108 lines instead of the standard -110. Always shop around for the best deals like you would at any other market as a buyer.

Variety of Betting Markets Available

The top sportsbooks do a good job of being competitive about this, but you want to see as many sports and leagues as possible. Some people just love popular ones like NFL and NBA, but we want to see some respect for cricket and snooker too. Let us bet on everything and anything from around the world, and that is where the value of live betting comes in as you can pretty much always find something to bet on at any hour of the day.

Beyond the leagues, we need to see a good variety of betting options, including straight bets, spreads, totals, parlays, same-game parlays, multi-sport parlays, props (game/team/player), round robins, teasers, pleasers and the aforementioned live betting markets. 

Banking Methods

There is a greater sense of urgency in depositing money at an online sportsbook if you want to get a bet in before the game starts. We look for sites that have a great variety of banking methods for both deposits and withdrawals. Not everyone wants to use standard methods like a credit card, debit card or bank transfer. We like to see the eWallet and crypto options that many land-based casinos will not accept but you can usually find at online sportsbooks. 

Promotions & Bonuses Offered

Bonus bets are a big deal for many. It is always nice to get a big bonus right away when you create an account, make your initial deposit and maybe there is a promo code or bonus code to enter to get a deposit match in bonus bets. We also love the ongoing promos for returning customers, like risk-free bets and odds boosts on select markets. 

Live Betting Available

Most bets are placed with a mobile device, so it is only natural that live betting would take on greater importance in this digital age. People want to watch the game and bet on the go, so a good live betting section is critical now. We also like to see more than just the moneyline, spread and total offered as live betting markets, especially for the popular leagues like NFL and NBA, where there are always so many good prop bets. 

Mobile Site Quality

As we just said with live mobile betting and banking methods, mobile site quality is a huge deal when it comes to bettors being able to deposit money and beat the start of the game to get a bet in. Maybe they want to live bet on the game too, or hedge a pre-game bet with a live bet. Having a mobile site that works well with no lag and easy navigation is very important in pulling that off. 

Customer Service Options

The sportsbook could be the most legitimate section on a gambling site to try to settle a dispute about how something was judged. Maybe there was a player injury, a stat correction after the game, or an argument over a player’s active status. This is when you need a strong customer service team. Our priorities are to see 24/7 hours of availability, and the most contact methods possible (message, email, phone number, and live chat).

Security Features of the Mobile Site or App

Any online sports betting app or mobile site needs to be using strong security features to ensure your data is safe and your connection is secure. This is why we only recommend trustworthy online sportsbooks with a great reputation and a longstanding history in the online sports betting industry. We feel safest sharing our personal data with such sites.

The Best Virginia Sports Betting Bonuses

In the following sections, we are going to look at the most common bonuses a user can expect to see with sports betting sites. Some sports betting bonuses may require a bonus code, and some may only ask you to opt in first.

Welcome Bonuses

The biggest bonus you are likely to get at any time with an online sportsbook is the welcome bonus, also known as the sign-up bonus. The way this usually works is your initial deposit is matched in bonus funds up to 100% or greater depending on the site. These bonus funds come with a rollover requirement that you must satisfy by betting the bonus funds x times over before any of that money can be withdrawn. If you want a big bonus right away, the welcome bonus is the best way to do that.  

Deposit Match Bonus

The deposit match bonus is often how the welcome bonus works, but you could also get one periodically as a returning customer. However, it may only be a bonus of 30% or 50% of your deposit in bonus bets instead of the welcome bonus, which is usually 100% or higher. These bonus funds have an expiration date, so be sure to use them in time. 

No-Deposit Bonuses

Online gambling sites will sometimes offer a no-deposit bonus, which is nice to see. This could be done by placing a bet of a certain amount of money, then you will receive a bonus bet in your account once your bet settles. 

Free Bets & Bet Insurance

Sportsbooks often have risk-free bets, which can be played on singles or a same-game parlay depending on the site. Basically, you place the bet, and if your bet loses, you get bonus bets or second-chance bets in your account equal to a certain amount (usually your wager up to a limit). Those bonus bet credits must be used on the sportsbook and cannot be withdrawn for cash. 

Odds Boosts

Many online sportsbooks will offer odds boosts each day or multiple days a week on select markets. For example, instead of getting -200 odds on two NBA superstars scoring 20 points that night, you might get an odds boost for them to do that with +100 odds.

Keep in mind odds boosts are almost always ineligible for parlays, can only be bet on once, and there is usually a strict limit to how much you can bet on one like $25 or $50. But they are a nice boost if you planned on betting that line in the first place. Check the site daily for odds boosts. 

VIP and Loyalty Programs

Most online gambling sites offer some sort of VIP or loyalty program. Basically, the more you bet, the more points you accumulate in this program, which can then be redeemed for perks like bonus bets or profit boosts. This is a good thing to join for a site that you plan on frequently betting at. 

Virginia Teams to Bet on

Virginia is the country’s most populous state without a major professional sports franchise. In the following sections, we are going to look at what sports bettors can bet on at an online sportsbook in various markets from Virginia.  

NBA Betting

Virginia does not have an NBA team, but you will find plenty of NBA betting markets at online sportsbooks, including same-game parlays, player props, first-basket scorers, player performance doubles, three-point shooting props, defensive props and more.

NFL Betting

While the Washington Commanders have practice facilities in Virginia, there is no NFL team in the state. Still, there are plenty of NFL betting markets, including same-game parlays, player props, touchdown scorers, player performance doubles, game props, teasers (spreads and totals) and more. 

MLB Betting

Virginia lacks any professional sports franchise from baseball, but you can find plenty of available MLB markets for player props, parlays, game props, home run hitters and more. 

NHL Betting

The Washington Capitals have a practice facility in Virginia, but the state does not officially have any professional sports franchise in hockey or otherwise. Online sportsbooks have plenty of NHL betting markets, including same-game parlays, player props, goal scorers, game props and more.

Virginia College Sports Betting

College rules tend to be different for sports betting in many states, and Virginia is no different. In Virginia, users are not allowed to place wagers on college teams from Virginia or any collegiate games that take place within Virginia’s border. 

Offshore sportsbooks operate outside of the United States, so they only need to follow the laws and regulations where they are located. That means that they can offer any type of bet you’d like to place on college football and college basketball. 

The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to some very popular basketball and football teams (among other sports) that participate in NCAA Division I athletics:

• George Mason
• Hampton
• James Madison
• Liberty
• Longwood
• Norfolk State
• Old Dominion
• Radford
• Richmond
• Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth
• Virginia Tech
• VMI
• William & Mary

 Other Sports To Bet on in Virginia

Most online sportsbooks will also have a wide range of international sports and leagues to bet on. Here is a partial list of what you can expect to find:

• Aussie Rules
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Cycling
• Darts
• Esports
• Golf
• Handball
• Horse racing
• MMA (UFC)
• Motor racing
• Rugby
• Snooker
• Soccer
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Volleyball

What types of bets are allowed in Virginia?

When it comes to state-regulated sportsbooks like FanDuel and BetMGM, you can expect your usual variety of betting types allowed: singles, parlays, same-game parlays, player props, team props, game props, round robins, teasers, etc.

One exception is when it comes to collegiate sports. You cannot bet on prop picks for college games in Virginia. At offshore sites, however, you can bet on college and professional leagues with all the betting types we just mentioned. 

How to Sign-Up With Virginia Mobile Sportsbooks

The sign-up process for online gambling sites is quite simple. We will walk you through it in four steps below.

Step 1. Create Your Account

Head to the site you wish to join and start creating your account by clicking on the proper link that says “Join” or “Sign-up.” One of the first things you will be asked to do is create your password. Pick something unique that you are not using elsewhere. 

Step 2. Verify Your Account Details

Allow the site to verify your account in a quick process by providing accurate information such as your full name, address, email address and a working phone number.

Step 3. Deposit Funds

An account will need to be funded before you can use it, but first, you will want to read about the welcome bonus so you are getting the most out of the bonus funds. Those deals ‌usually involve a deposit match on your first deposit with bonus funds. Be sure to read all about that, including if you need to enter a bonus code, and when you are ready, choose from your favorite deposit method and fund your account with cash. 

Step 4. Start Betting

Now that your account is verified and funded with money, you can start betting on the sportsbook. Choose the markets you want to bet on and stake your first wager. Now the fun begins. Remember to bet responsibly. 

Android User Guide

Offshore sportsbooks lack a downloadable app, but retail sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings all have them. Just head to the Play Store and download and install the app from there. 

If you visit the mobile site of an offshore site like Bovada or Bookmaker, simply go to the options screen at the top (three dots) of your browser, and choose “Add to Home screen” from the list of options. You’ll be asked to give it a name and confirm. Do that and you will have easy access to your online sportsbook from your home screen. 

iOS User Guide

For iOS users, the process for apps and mobile sites is basically the same as for Android users. You do not get offshore sites in your phone’s app store, but you can find the regulated apps like BetMGM and Caesars. Download and install them using your app store.

But if you want to link a mobile sportsbook site to your phone’s home screen, then that process is just as simple. Use a browser like Chrome or Safari and choose the options menu to select “Add to Home screen.” Then just give it a name and confirm the creation of the link and it will be on your home screen for the quickest access, just like an app. Now you are a touch away from doing mobile betting. 

FAQs – Virginia Sports Betting Apps & Mobile Sites