Virginia
Gambling Laws 2026

Virginia moved from having almost no gambling to having an active market in a short span. The state legalized sports betting in 2020, and the mobile market launched in January 2021 with more than two dozen licensed operators — one of the most competitive mobile sports betting launches in the country. Commercial casinos were approved through local referenda, and several have opened: Hard Rock Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Caesars Virginia in Danville, among others. Additional properties in the Richmond and Norfolk areas are in development.

The lottery has operated since 1988 and is well-established. Horse racing at Colonial Downs in New Kent operates under a mixed live-racing and historical horse racing machine framework. Historical horse racing terminals were a significant political issue that preceded broader gambling expansion.

For residents, Virginia has transformed quickly. Mobile sports betting works statewide with a wide operator selection. New commercial casinos have opened in multiple parts of the state. Northern Virginia and the DC suburbs do not yet have a nearby commercial casino, though that may change as development continues. Online casino gambling is not currently legal in Virginia. The regulatory environment has been active, and the market has grown faster than most states that started at the same time.

New commercial casinos opened 2022-2024 (Bristol, Danville, etc.). Sports betting mobile since 2021.

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