Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.us, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.
Sports Betting Locations in Virginia
By Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer at Betting.us
Updated: December 14, 2023
Sports betting in Virginia launched in 2021, both in person and online. This guide will explore all the legal retail sports betting locations that residents can visit and also discuss the history of gambling in the state and the exciting legal developmenets.
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:
| Name | Type | Website | Full Address | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosie's Game Room | Off-Track, Casino | www.rosiesgaming.com | 2360 Virginia Avenue, Collinsville, VA 24078 | Read Review |
| Colonial Downs Race Track | Off-Track, Racetrack | www.colonialdowns.com | 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent | Read Review |
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.
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.
| Racetracks | Types of Racing | Review link |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial Downs |
Horse Racing
|
Read Review |
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.
Cruise Ships and Riverboats
Virginia had historically been more restrictive when it came to casino gambling, so it's perhaps unsurprising that there are no cruise ships or riverboats with gambling on board in the state. The current laws only permit the establishment of 5 casinos in the state, so it seems unlikely there will be any on cruise ships in the future.
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.
Search for Sportsbooks in Virginia
| Casino Name: | Address: | Secure Link: | City: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | |||
| Rosie's in Richmond | 6807 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225 | ||
| Rosie's in New Kent | 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent | ||
| Colonial Downs Race Track | 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent | ||
| Rosie's Game Room | 2360 Virginia Avenue, Collinsville, VA 24078 | ||
| Buckets Bar and Grill | 9127 W. Broad St., Chesapeake, VA 23294 | ||
| Breakers Sports Grille | 9127 W. Broad St., Henrico, VA 23294 | ||
| Rosie's in Hampton | 1996 Power Plant Parkway, Hampton, VA 23666 | ||
| Rosie's in Vinton | 1135 Vinyard Rd, Vinton, VA 24179, United States | ||
| Rosie's in Dumfries | 18069-E Triangle Shopping Plaza, Dumfries, VA | ||
| Riverboat on the Potomac | 301 Beach Terrace, Colonial Beach, VA 22443 | ||
History of Sports Betting in Virginia
Virginia has a complex history when it comes to gambling laws and regulations, with a long tradition of restrictions on various forms of gambling. This is why it was somewhat surprising that they made moves only a year after PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) was repealed to allow sports betting. See a full overview of the history of sports betting below with important dates:
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | Historical Horse Racing Introduced | In the 1990s, Virginia introduced "historical horse racing" machines, which allowed bettors to wager on previously run horse races without knowing the outcomes. This form of betting was considered a significant departure from traditional gambling restrictions. |
| 2019 | Attempts to Approve Sports Betting | Lawmakers in the state of Virginia made attempts to ensure that sports wagering (as well as some aspects of casino gaming) were approved, however the process eventually stalled. |
| 2020 | Bill Passed to Allow Casinos | In April 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that allowed for the construction of commercial casinos in select cities. The cities of Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Richmond were approved to hold referendums on whether to allow casinos in their respective jurisdictions. Voters in these cities subsequently approved casino projects in referendums. |
| 2021 | Sports Betting Legalized | In 2021, Virginia legalized sports betting, allowing both Virginia online sports betting and retail sports betting facilities to operate in the state. Only online sportsbooks launched first. |
| 2022 | First Brick and Mortar Sportsbook Opened | In July 2022 the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino became the first in person sportsbook to open its doors to Virginia residents. |
About Virginia
Virginia, located in the southeastern United States, is renowned for its historical significance, being home to Jamestown, the first English settlement, and numerous Civil War battlegrounds. With diverse landscapes, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, it offers a mix of history, natural beauty, and vibrant cities like Richmond and Alexandria.
Historically very restrictive when it came to gambling laws but recent legislative changes in 2020 and 2021 legalized casinos and sports betting, signaling a shift. Revenue from sports betting has exceeded predictions that were initially made and reached over a billion dollars in sports betting handles since wagering kicked off. The Hard Rock Casino alone has reported a massive $157 million in gambling revenue during its first year.
| Capital | Richmond |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Virginia Beach |
| Population | 8,654,542 |
| Area | 42,774.2 sq mi |
| Time zone | UTC-05:00 (Eastern) |
| State Nickname(s) | Old Dominion, Mother of Presidents |
| Motto | Sic semper tyrannis (English: Thus Always to Tyrants) |
Helping Hand for Gamblers in Virginia
In Virginia, individuals seeking help for gambling addiction have several resources available. The Virginia branch of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) provides information, support, and treatment referrals. The Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) also offers assistance and resources for those affected by gambling issues.
Additionally, the Virginia Lottery, in collaboration with these organizations, promotes responsible gambling and provides helpline numbers and online resources for individuals seeking help to address gambling-related problems.
Help for Compulsive Gambling in Virginia
- Hotlines Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) (1-888-532-3500)
- Website www.vacpg.org
- Phone 1-888-532-3500
- Text or Chat 1-888-532-3500
Sports Betting Lawyers in Virginia
- Name Daniel J. Miller
- Phone 757-517-2942
- Website www.legaldefense.com
FAQ
Is there a list of every retail sportsbook in Virginia?
We've put together a list of the Virgina betting locations. Since sports betting is so new to the state, there aren't a huge number of locations yet, but as more continue to open we will keep this list updated.
What type of sports betting locations are there in Virginia?
According to the proposed law there will be five casinos with sports betting in various cities across Virginia, with only one currently being open. There are also other types of betting locations, including racetracks and off-track betting.
How much revenue does betting generate in Virginia?
It was always projected that Viriginia would bring in a lot of revenue from legalizing sports betting, but they have far exceeded this. The Hard Rock Casino alone has reported a massive $157 million in gambling revenue during its first year open. You can find out more about this in our about section.
What is the history of sports betting in the state of Virginia?
Virginia has a complicated history with gambling and has historically been very strict with their betting laws, forbidding even horse racing and lotteries. It wasn't until legislative change in 2020 that there was a shift in the state, and sports betting was allowed.