Virginia: status at a glance
| Online casino | Not authorized |
|---|---|
| Sports betting | Online and retail |
| Online poker | Not authorized |
| Sweepstakes casinos | No ban found in our sources a 2026 casino bill failed |
Sports betting, run through the Lottery
Virginia handed sports betting to the Virginia Lottery Department, and the Code of Virginia sets the structure in Chapter 40 of Title 58.1. Section 58.1-4031 gives the Director the job of accepting permit applications, while a Board regulates how the program operates. The same section says the Department cannot run a sports betting platform or facility itself: the platforms belong to permit holders.
The Director may require bonds from permit holders and may suspend, revoke or decline to renew a permit. Each month the Director also reports sports betting revenue and expenses to the Comptroller and the Board, and to state officials and the General Assembly. The same section lets the Director approve the ways a bettor may fund an account, and it names ACH payments, debit cards and wire transfers as examples while excluding credit cards.
The Lottery's own site lists ten licensed sports betting operators. A summary of Section 58.1-4030 that we saw in search results says the definition of sports betting excludes wagers on a college event in which a Virginia public or private institution takes part. That section should be read directly for the exact wording.
Casinos exist, but not online
The Lottery's casinos page lists five licensed casino venues in Virginia. They are physical properties. The page makes no statement about online casino gambling, and the Lottery presents its online offerings as lottery products and sports betting categories, not casino games.
A failed casino bill in 2026
Industry trackers report that a casino bill failed in the 2026 session. They do not describe a statute that opens online casino play, and we found none. The practical result is that online casino remains outside Virginia's licensing system. Because the report comes from trackers and not from the General Assembly, the legislature's own record is the place to confirm the bill's details.
Poker
No Virginia statute we read authorizes online poker, and trackers list none. The online poker states list shows where it is licensed, and the sports betting states list places Virginia among the states that have a sports market.
Sweepstakes casinos and offshore sites
We found no Virginia statute or attorney general action aimed at sweepstakes casinos. Trackers place the state among those with neither a ban nor a regulatory regime for them, so the general explanation on are sweepstakes casinos legal applies, together with the list of states that have passed bans. An operator licensed outside the United States holds no Virginia permit, a point developed on the offshore casinos page.
Reporting illegal gambling and getting help
The Lottery says illegal gambling can be reported to the Virginia State Police Gaming Tip Line by texting "VSPGaming" to 847477. We did not read a Virginia helpline page, so the number offered here is the national line, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). Further resources are listed on the responsible gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
Is online sports betting legal in Virginia?
Yes, with a permit holder authorized under the Virginia Lottery's program. The Lottery's casinos and sports betting page lists the licensed operators.
Can I play online casino games in Virginia?
No. Virginia licenses physical casinos, and no statute we read authorizes online casino games. A bill on casinos failed in 2026, according to industry trackers.
Who regulates gambling in Virginia?
The Virginia Lottery Department runs the sports betting program, with the Director issuing permits and a Board writing the rules. Section 58.1-4031 describes their roles.
Can I fund a Virginia sports betting account with a credit card?
Section 58.1-4031 has the Director approve funding methods and excludes credit cards, while naming ACH, debit cards and wire transfers as examples.