Is Online Gambling Legal In Virginia

The long-awaited referendum vote regarding live casinos in Virginia was held on Tuesday. Not surprisingly, the referendum passed in all four Virginia localities. What was surprising was the margin that each bill passed.

1. Virginia Online Casino
2. Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Virginia

As such, casino gambling is now coming to the Old Dominion. Furthermore, this vote now opens the door for legal online gambling in Virginia.

Unfortunately, Virginia does not yet have any legal avenues for online sports betting. Residents can, however, travel nearby and utilize New Jersey online gambling sites to place sports bets. There are currently no Virginia online sports books. Online sports betting will be legalized for professional sports and college sports excluding Virginia schools. These may become available by end of year. Permits to operate a sports betting website or app will be limited to 12. This limit does not apply to the casinos or major sport teams in Virginia. Until 2020, Virginia was practically without gambling options and infrastructure. The recent passage of major gambling expansion legislation, which allows online and retail sports betting and as many as five commercial casinos, has significantly altered the commonwealth's gaming landscape. Online sports betting launched in January 2021. Virginia has passed some bills that were supposed to regulate online gambling in the state. And they did, as they put a ban on operating or being a user of an online gambling site located within the borders of. The bill passed the House and Senate in March, and Gov. Jim Justice allowed it to become law without a signature. WV online gambling was officially legal. By the end of the the year, the WV Lottery was hard.

Casino Gambling Overwhelmingly Approved in Virginia

Four Virginia localities held referendums on Tuesday to vote on whether to allow live casino gambling in the state. Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth all held their votes and the support for casino gambling was overwhelming as all four localities passed the measure easily. The gap was so wide that analysts were calling the votes shortly after polls closed on Tuesday.

Bristol was the state that started the move toward legal casino gambling in the state and they passed their referendum by the widest margin. Citizens voted 71% to 29% in favor of a casino. Now, Hard Rock Casino Resort will over the old Bristol Mall property to build a $350 million casino.

Caesars Virginia will be a reality thanks to the citizens of Danville. Last night, the casino referendum passed in Danville, Virginia. pic.twitter.com/82z9f8FMYW

— Caesars Entertainment (@CaesarsEnt) November 4, 2020

Another casino vote that we predicted would be a slam dunk was Norfolk. They voted in favor of live casinos 65% to 35%. Caesars Entertainment will now build in Norfolk and will award $20 million to the city of Danville by the end of the week.

Portsmouth was the only area we thought might not pass a referendum, but we were not even close. The vote there passed 67% to 33%. Rivers Casino will build in Portsmouth.

Finally, Norfolk has easily passed its referendum. While about 7% of the votes remain to be counted, the current vote stands at 65% to 35% in favor of a casino. The Pamunkey Indian tribe will build a casino in Norfolk in partnership with billionaire Jon Yarbrough.

Virginia has been one of the few US states that didn't have some form of casino gambling within its borders. That will now change with the first casino expected to open around 2023 to 2024.

What About Richmond?

If you have been following Virginia's path toward live casino gambling, you already know that Richmond was the fifth area approved to hold a casino referendum vote. The city opted to delay its vote until 2021. Some speculate that the reason is that the city is still looking for a casino partner.

The Pamunkey tribe is expressing interest in building in Richmond. If this happens, it will give them two casinos in the state. The city is likely to explore their options to see where they can get the best deal. With the other four localities having passed a referendum, we expect to hear more about Richmond's potential partnership. This will likely happen in early 2021.

Vote Opens Door For Online Gambling

An angle that hasn't been mentioned regarding this vote is the potential for online gambling in the Old Dominion. If you look at the original bill, online gambling is listed as a form of gambling that will be legal for approved casinos.

What this means is that any casino that opens in the state will be permitted to offer online gambling. Casinos will be able to open online versions of their casino, offering slot games, blackjack, video poker, and more. Also, there is potential for online poker as poker is listed as a legal activity.

The Virginia Lottery will oversee the regulation of live casinos in the state and will also oversee online gambling. Back when the bill was first introduced, it was hinted that online gambling could launch before live gambling, but that is still speculation at this point.

Regardless, this is a historic vote that this writer never thought would happen in his lifetime. As a lifelong Virginia resident, this state has been staunchly opposed to casino gambling for many years. Attitudes have softened in the last decade, allowing for this vote. In a few years, I will now have a casino within a couple of hour's drive instead of having to drive to West Virginia, North Carolina, or Maryland to gamble.

Virginia is interesting because it is quite conservative in some gambling regards and progressive in others. Would you imagine that a state with zero commercial gambling would be the first to pass legislation on Daily Fantasy Sports? That is exactly what Virginia did.

However, the state also prohibits all forms of domestically licensed and regulated online gambling based in VA. Nonetheless, licensed offshore online gambling sites that welcome Virginia residents are considered legally acceptable and the best option for those seeking sanctioned online gambling entertainment. This all-inclusive guide shares information on legally licensed offshore online casinos, poker, bingo, sports betting, and more.

Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Virginia?

Yes. Virginia gambling laws explicitly state that online gambling is illegal, but only those based inside the state. Va gambling laws also do not mention offshore gambling sites as being illegal nor does the federal government. This allows residents to access licensed offshore gambling sites without violating any local or national gambling laws.

Top-Rated Online Gambling Sites For Virginia Residents

In the table below, VA players will find a list of several well-known licensed offshore gambling operators. These brands are regarded as leaders in the industry and are currently licensed and regulated, certifying them as legal in the eyes of the local government. These licensed offshore gambling brands offer robust bonuses, top of the line security features, and a wide variety of banking options.

Other Virginia Gambling Pages

Legal Forms Of Gambling In The State Of Virginia

Virginia may be one of the stricter states, but it is not completely dry in regards to gambling types. Residents may legally participate in each of the following gambling forms:

• Online gambling (through licensed offshore sites)
• Bingo gambling
• Lottery
• Charitable gaming (under strict conditions)
• Pari-mutuel wagering
• Daily fantasy sports

What Does The Land Based Casino Landscape Look Like?

Commercial and tribal casino gambling is outlawed in Virginia. Multiple attempts have been made to authorize casino gambling and form a regulatory commission, however, these efforts have all failed before coming to fruition.

Does ‘Commercial Gambling' Apply To Poker?

Yes. Live poker is included in this category because it is classified as a game of chance in Virginia. VA players can participate in legal social poker games at their own home, but these must not be held on a regularly scheduled basis and the host must not receive payouts from losses or they will face severe penalties.

Has Virginia Teed Up Sports Betting Legislation?

States are cleared to authorize sports betting through legislation after PASPA, the long-standing ban on federal sports betting, was repealed. While neighboring West Virginia was one of the first states to begin working on legislation, Virginia failed to echo that same ambition. As of now, there are no known plans to draft up legislation on sports betting, though that could change in the coming legislative session.

How Does Daily Fantasy Sports Fit In To VA's Gambling Market?

Virginia went down in history as the first state to pass a law that legalized Daily Fantasy Sports paid entry contests. This news came as a major victory for operators like FanDuel and DraftKings. Virginia paved the way for other states to embrace the emerging market but ironic have not current interest in legalizing domestically regulated sports gambling.

What Are Online Gambling Bonuses?

VA players looking into the licensed offshore gambling market will probably come across 'bonuses'. These bonuses are financial incentives given to players that help increase the time spent on the site and their potential winnings. They do this by rewarding players' deposits with a match deposit in additional gambling funds set to a predetermined amount or percentage.

New users will be able to claim these match deposit bonuses through Welcome Bonuses. For example, brands may match a player's deposit by 40% up to $1,000 in free funds. Is online gaming allowed in michigan. Other bonus types commonly seen on licensed offshore online gambling platforms are for mobile users, cryptocurrency users, live dealer games, live sports betting, and tournaments.

How Does Virginia Define Illegal Gambling?

Illegal gambling is listed as, 'making, placing, or receipt, of any bet or wager in this Commonwealth of money or other thing of value, made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value, dependent upon the result of any game, contest, or any other event the outcome of which is uncertain or a matter of chance, whether such game, contest, or event, occurs or is to occur inside the limits of this Commonwealth.' which limits most forms of gambling presently available in the US, lending to VA's strict anti-gambling laws.

Virginia Online Gambling FAQ's

What Real Money Casino Games Can I Find Online In Virginia?

Portsmouth was the only area we thought might not pass a referendum, but we were not even close. The vote there passed 67% to 33%. Rivers Casino will build in Portsmouth.

Finally, Norfolk has easily passed its referendum. While about 7% of the votes remain to be counted, the current vote stands at 65% to 35% in favor of a casino. The Pamunkey Indian tribe will build a casino in Norfolk in partnership with billionaire Jon Yarbrough.

Virginia has been one of the few US states that didn't have some form of casino gambling within its borders. That will now change with the first casino expected to open around 2023 to 2024.

What About Richmond?

If you have been following Virginia's path toward live casino gambling, you already know that Richmond was the fifth area approved to hold a casino referendum vote. The city opted to delay its vote until 2021. Some speculate that the reason is that the city is still looking for a casino partner.

The Pamunkey tribe is expressing interest in building in Richmond. If this happens, it will give them two casinos in the state. The city is likely to explore their options to see where they can get the best deal. With the other four localities having passed a referendum, we expect to hear more about Richmond's potential partnership. This will likely happen in early 2021.

Vote Opens Door For Online Gambling

An angle that hasn't been mentioned regarding this vote is the potential for online gambling in the Old Dominion. If you look at the original bill, online gambling is listed as a form of gambling that will be legal for approved casinos.

What this means is that any casino that opens in the state will be permitted to offer online gambling. Casinos will be able to open online versions of their casino, offering slot games, blackjack, video poker, and more. Also, there is potential for online poker as poker is listed as a legal activity.

The Virginia Lottery will oversee the regulation of live casinos in the state and will also oversee online gambling. Back when the bill was first introduced, it was hinted that online gambling could launch before live gambling, but that is still speculation at this point.

Regardless, this is a historic vote that this writer never thought would happen in his lifetime. As a lifelong Virginia resident, this state has been staunchly opposed to casino gambling for many years. Attitudes have softened in the last decade, allowing for this vote. In a few years, I will now have a casino within a couple of hour's drive instead of having to drive to West Virginia, North Carolina, or Maryland to gamble.

Virginia is interesting because it is quite conservative in some gambling regards and progressive in others. Would you imagine that a state with zero commercial gambling would be the first to pass legislation on Daily Fantasy Sports? That is exactly what Virginia did.

However, the state also prohibits all forms of domestically licensed and regulated online gambling based in VA. Nonetheless, licensed offshore online gambling sites that welcome Virginia residents are considered legally acceptable and the best option for those seeking sanctioned online gambling entertainment. This all-inclusive guide shares information on legally licensed offshore online casinos, poker, bingo, sports betting, and more.

Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Virginia?

Yes. Virginia gambling laws explicitly state that online gambling is illegal, but only those based inside the state. Va gambling laws also do not mention offshore gambling sites as being illegal nor does the federal government. This allows residents to access licensed offshore gambling sites without violating any local or national gambling laws.

Top-Rated Online Gambling Sites For Virginia Residents

In the table below, VA players will find a list of several well-known licensed offshore gambling operators. These brands are regarded as leaders in the industry and are currently licensed and regulated, certifying them as legal in the eyes of the local government. These licensed offshore gambling brands offer robust bonuses, top of the line security features, and a wide variety of banking options.

Other Virginia Gambling Pages

Legal Forms Of Gambling In The State Of Virginia

Virginia may be one of the stricter states, but it is not completely dry in regards to gambling types. Residents may legally participate in each of the following gambling forms:

• Online gambling (through licensed offshore sites)
• Bingo gambling
• Lottery
• Charitable gaming (under strict conditions)
• Pari-mutuel wagering
• Daily fantasy sports

What Does The Land Based Casino Landscape Look Like?

Commercial and tribal casino gambling is outlawed in Virginia. Multiple attempts have been made to authorize casino gambling and form a regulatory commission, however, these efforts have all failed before coming to fruition.

Does ‘Commercial Gambling' Apply To Poker?

Yes. Live poker is included in this category because it is classified as a game of chance in Virginia. VA players can participate in legal social poker games at their own home, but these must not be held on a regularly scheduled basis and the host must not receive payouts from losses or they will face severe penalties.

Has Virginia Teed Up Sports Betting Legislation?

States are cleared to authorize sports betting through legislation after PASPA, the long-standing ban on federal sports betting, was repealed. While neighboring West Virginia was one of the first states to begin working on legislation, Virginia failed to echo that same ambition. As of now, there are no known plans to draft up legislation on sports betting, though that could change in the coming legislative session.

How Does Daily Fantasy Sports Fit In To VA's Gambling Market?

Virginia went down in history as the first state to pass a law that legalized Daily Fantasy Sports paid entry contests. This news came as a major victory for operators like FanDuel and DraftKings. Virginia paved the way for other states to embrace the emerging market but ironic have not current interest in legalizing domestically regulated sports gambling.

What Are Online Gambling Bonuses?

VA players looking into the licensed offshore gambling market will probably come across 'bonuses'. These bonuses are financial incentives given to players that help increase the time spent on the site and their potential winnings. They do this by rewarding players' deposits with a match deposit in additional gambling funds set to a predetermined amount or percentage.

New users will be able to claim these match deposit bonuses through Welcome Bonuses. For example, brands may match a player's deposit by 40% up to $1,000 in free funds. Is online gaming allowed in michigan. Other bonus types commonly seen on licensed offshore online gambling platforms are for mobile users, cryptocurrency users, live dealer games, live sports betting, and tournaments.

How Does Virginia Define Illegal Gambling?

Illegal gambling is listed as, 'making, placing, or receipt, of any bet or wager in this Commonwealth of money or other thing of value, made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value, dependent upon the result of any game, contest, or any other event the outcome of which is uncertain or a matter of chance, whether such game, contest, or event, occurs or is to occur inside the limits of this Commonwealth.' which limits most forms of gambling presently available in the US, lending to VA's strict anti-gambling laws.

Virginia Online Gambling FAQ's

What Real Money Casino Games Can I Find Online In Virginia?

Virginia Online Casino

Domestic online casino options are not available in the state. However, licensed offshore VA online casinos legally can offer multiple casino gambling options to Virginia residents. Various game categories exist and each offers their own game variations and titles. VA players on licensed offshore casinos can typically pick from traditional table games, access live dealer features, play specialty games like keno, bingo, or scratch cards, or select a game from their slot collection.

What Sports Can I Wager On Through An Online Sportsbook?

Domestic sportsbooks are often limited to seasonal peaks and game popularity, offering the most betting lines and options for these over smaller games or niche sports. In fact, most domestic sportsbooks offer betting on domestic leagues and events and hardly offer international options. While VA has no laws in place to offer state-licensed sports gambling, other neighboring states can like West Virginia.

However, licensed offshore VA online sportsbooks offer more sports to wager on through domestic or international events and leagues. Not only this, most carry various available betting lines for each, including niche sports like tennis, eSports, golf, billiards, darts, and more. These sportsbooks can also provide hefty bonuses and promotions not found at land-based sportsbooks.

What Features Can I Find At An Online Poker Site?

Licensed offshore VA online poker rooms offer extensive features such as multiple table and hand play, anonymous table play, note keeping, quick seats, hand histories, and tournaments. Speed play is very popular and allows individuals to play many more hands per hour than is possible at a brick and mortar poker room.

Why Should I Use Offshore Online Bingo Sites?

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Virginia

While online bingo has been growing in popularity over the last decade and many states are now starting to allow domestic online bingo betting – Virginia has opted out of this option. Due to legislation passed in 2011, Virginia cannot offer state-based online gambling unless these laws were amended or repealed. However, licensed offshore VA online bingo sites are legal to particpate on and even offer multiple bingo variations, side games, and bonuses not found at land-based bingo venues.