Sports Betting Apps Ios

Legal sports betting apps are blooming across the US. With new states legalizing and launching mobile betting, and existing states expanding their offering, there are a lot of options. Here are our recommendations on how to find the best sports betting apps in the US, including the best bonus offers, promo codes, and mobile betting odds.

• Best Free Sports Betting Apps For Ios
• Sports Betting Apps Ios Download
• Sports Betting Apps In Pa
• What Is The Best App For Sports Betting

Browsing through sports betting apps is much more like playing on your phone – swiping and tapping – than searching on a traditional sports betting sites. Sportsbooks generally make their betting apps available for both iOS and Android devices, although occasionally this is not the case.

Sports betting is continuing to spread across the United States, with new states continuing to legalize and launch apps throughout 2021. Moreover, existing markets are expanding sports betting, too, by launching new apps or easing up on restrictions to expand betting options.

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Some states, like New York, are working to allow sports betting apps into the market. Betting on mobile apps increases sports betting participation, making it one of the most important new trends to watch in 2021.

Best US Online Sports Betting Apps: How We Rank Them

Bettors may be overwhelmed by the number of sportsbooks offered in their state. Telling one app for sports betting from another may be challenging when there are over a dozen to choose from. Colorado hadseventeen online sports betting licenses issued by the beginning of 2021. That's a list of sportsbooks that rivals New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada.

Many of those states host the same sportsbook companies. Big brands like DraftKings and FanDuel pop up in most sportsbook markets. However, some states have their own homegrown sportsbooks. Colorado has local sportsbooks like Bet Monarch, Sky Ute Sportsbook, and Bet Wildwood. Bettors will likely find a mixture of big brands and local companies in their states–especially states that allow many sportsbooks.

Ranking The Best Betting Apps

Gaming Today ranks these sportsbooks for bettors by examining the factors most important to bettors. We compare sportsbook odds to help bettors find the best value for their wagers. Sportsbooks balance expected profit and risk differently, so bettors can find better odds on different parts of the line.

Welcome bonuses are important too. Some bettors want to know how many free credits they can get upfront. They may stick with a sportsbook that offers a generous bonus in the beginning. Reviewing any online sports betting app takes the app itself into account, too. Some apps are easier to navigate than others, and that can affect a new bettor's chance of using it.

10 Best Apps For US Sports Betting

Depending on where bettors live, most if not all of these apps may be at bettors' disposals. Here are the top ten apps bettors will likely encounter, regardless of where they live.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Visit: FanDuel Sportsbook and claim a $1,000 risk-free bet

Bettors may recognize FanDuel as a daily fantasy sports site. However, FanDuel capitalized on sports betting legalization and offered a sportsbook, too. In some states, FanDuel also offers an online casino, which seems to partner with its sportsbook and daily fantasy sites.

FanDuel considered one of the largest and most trustworthy sports betting brands. The brand is older than its sportsbook, so it's had time to cement its reputation as a legitimate operator. The FanDuel app is available in these states:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Tennessee
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Virginia

FanDuel also operates a retail sportsbook in both Mississippi and New York but doesn't offer sports betting online in these states as online gaming is not legal.

Wherever FanDuel is available, bettors may be drawn to its competitive underdog odds. FanDuel doesn't have the best odds on every underdog, but that's the side of the line it tends to favor. FanDuel's app is also available on iOS and Android, making it accessible to all smartphones in states with mobile sports betting.

FanDuel offers a $1,000 risk-free bet as a welcome bonus.

BetMGM Sportsbook App

Visit: BetMGM and claim a $600 risk-free bet

BetMGM is owned by Roar Digital, a joint venture between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings. It brands itself as a luxury sportsbook, and bettors who've seen its billboards and commercials have a sense of its luxury already.

Between BetMGM's iconic golden lion and Jamie Fox's sponsorship, BetMGM pushes its Vegas-style sportsbook hard. It seems to be working. Where it's licensed, BetMGM positions itself with other states' big brands. Bettors can find their apps for sports betting in:

• New Jersey
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Bettors who choose BetMGM will be able to contribute to their MGM Grand loyalty accounts. Anyone who plans to hit Vegas or any other city with an MGM Grand Resort should think about a BetMGM account. It's available on iOS and Android, so bettors who want to contribute to these loyalty accounts have convenient outlets to do it.

BetMGM's welcome bonus is a $600 risk-free bet.

William Hill Sportsbook

Visit: William Hill and claim up to a $500 risk-free bet

William Hill is the oldest sportsbook company on this list. It was founded in 1934 and has grown into a premier sportsbook company. It's a UK sportsbook company that has found a home in the United States. William Hill came to Nevada in 2012, where it became known for its betting kiosks. But as states legalized sports betting, William Hill expanded into new markets. William Hill's app for sports betting can be found in:

• Colorado
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• Virginia
• Washington, DC

Bettors who are intimidated by cluttered sportsbook apps will find relief at William Hill. Its app is one of the most straightforward to navigate. Apps for sports betting can become crowded with ads for bonuses and promotions. Bettors can download the William Hill app on iOS and Android too see what we mean.

William Hill offers a $500 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus in most states.

PointsBet Sportsbook

Visit: PointsBet and claim up to $2000 in two risk free bets with code BIGBONUS

PointsBet is an Australian startup founded in 2019. Seemingly overnight, it has grown into one of the most recognizable sportsbook brands in the United States. PointsBet has won awardsfor top sportsbook operator and most socially responsible operator.

Despite its novelty, PointsBet has established itself as a major player in an American industry that's only a year older than PointsBet. PointsBet's app is available in:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Michigan
• New Jersey

PointsBet is a great app for advanced bettors with the uncanny ability to make accurate game predictions. These bettors can try PointsBetting, which allows bettors to adjust point spreads and point totals predicted during a game. If bettors are right, their stakes are rewarded exponentially. But there's no partial credit. They're risky wagers reserved for the most>Colorado

DraftKings' New Hampshire presence is unique. The New Hampshire lottery chose DraftKings to be the only sports betting operator in New Hampshire.

Bettors can download the DraftKings app on Android or iOS. Anyone interested in competitive odds on a line's favorite should consider creating a DraftKings account. When DraftKings has the best odds on a line, it tends to be on the favorite to win. That should give bettors who bet conservatively something to think about.

DraftKings offers a $1,000 deposit bonus at a 20% match rate as a welcome bonus.

BetRivers Sportsbook

Visit: BetRivers Sportsbook and claim a $250 deposit bonus

BetRivers is owned by Rush Street Interactive, an online gaming company. After it started its Pennsylvania website, PlaySugarHouse.com, Rush Street Interactive launched BetRivers. It's been one of the first few sportsbooks in several states, so it's established itself as a staple in the sports betting industry. Its states of operation include:

• Colorado
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Virginia
• New Jersey (under the SugarHouse brand)
• Pennsylvania

Bettors in these states may be drawn to BetRivers' rewards program. Bettors who wager consistently could unlock new bonuses and even expedited withdrawals. But BetRivers' odds are often identical to DraftKings, so they may not stand out from other sportsbooks like the other sportsbooks on this list.

Interested bettors can download their state's BetRivers app on iOS or Android. BetRivers is one of the few sportsbook brands that creates separate apps for sports betting in each legal state. The BetRivers iOS app is not available in all states in which they operate, but new states are added to the Apple iOS store regularly.

BetRivers offers a $250 deposit bonus at a 100% match rate as its welcome bonus.

Golden Nugget Sportsbook App

Golden Nugget Sportsbook is available in Nevada, New Jersey, and now Michigan. So, bettors may be more familiar with the hotel and casino than its sportsbook app.

However, it's a hidden gem among the top sportsbook apps. It launched on January 19, 2017, becoming the first independent sportsbook on the Vegas Strip. It set its own lines and offered them on their own events. It's retained its reputation as a casino sportsbook – especially because it's exclusively offered in states with Golden Nugget casinos. But this app for sports betting also offers features that bettors may not find as easily at other sportsbooks.

Every sportsbook app shows bettors their wagers' results. Some even have statistics sections that show each team's past performance. Golden Nugget has its own spin on this feature. It shows the results of many different games and leagues. It's a quick reference guide for bettors with 'what-if' questions swirling in the back of their minds after placing their wagers. In its two states, bettors can download the app for iOS and Android.

Golden Nugget offers a $100 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus.

FOX Bet Sportsbook

Some big sportsbook brands have found success by incorporating their sportsbook with a sports media base. FOX Bet is one of the most prominent sportsbook brands to do so. Its partnership with Fox Sports gives it an audience ready to take Fox Sports hosts' advice and turn it into sports wagers.

But it comes into its own with its social media outreach. FOX Bet has many bet boosts. But bettors can request bet boosts through Twitter. It's one of the most unique ways FOX Bet engages its bettors. Bettors can find the FOX Bet app in:

• Colorado
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

Social media-savvy bettors may find FOX Bet more engaging than other apps for sports betting. FOX Bet's many bet boosts are worth checking for bettors looking for the best value for their money. Anyone who wants to try FOX Bet can download its app on iOS and Android.

FOX Bet offers a $500 risk-free bet.

Caesars

Caesars sportsbook is another casino sportsbook available in only a few states. Bettors in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New Jersey can download the Caesars sportsbook app on iOS and Android. It is also anticipated that Caesars will launch in Michigan in 2021.

Bettors can enjoy a sportsbook that carries the weight and reputation of the Caesars casino brand. Bettors will recognize the same opulent design in Caesars Sportsbook as Caesars Hotel in Vegas.

But Caesars Sportsbooks' attraction is its link to Caesars Rewards. Bettors can wager on Caesars sportsbook and earn points toward free entertainment, shopping, and dining. Like BetMGM, Caesars is a good option for bettors with an existing loyalty account or interest in creating one.

Caesars offers a $500 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus.

Unibet

Like the Beatles before them, Unibet is part of the British invasion of a popular American industry. Unibet was founded in London in 1997, headquartered in New York in 2018, and released its first app for US sports betting in New Jersey in 2019. Even though it's new in the industry, Unibet has a good reputation. (Being licensed by Gaming Commissions in multiple countries certainly helps.) Like Caesars, Unibet is only available in three states:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Indiana

Bettors who want to commune with other bettors will find value in Unibet's community section. It's a blog and forum wrapped together where bettors can read advice from Unibet bloggers and other Unibet users. If bettors want a virtual gathering – or a place to dispense their sports betting wisdom – Unibet may be their go-to app for sports betting.

Unibet offers a $600 risk-free bet as its welcome bonus.

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Full table with US sports betting apps availability and app store reviews

Mobile Sports Betting Basics

Mobile sports apps are convenient ways for sportsbooks to reach bettors. But newbies only need a few basics to get started. All they have to do is create an account, deposit money, then select the odds they want to bet on. Once they have all their bets, they can send them in and see how they did.

The mechanics of mobile sports betting are easy. Bettors can find popular sports like football and other sports like darts. Bets on who'll win, point spreads, and point totals are common, too.

Many apps also have live betting available, so bettors can cash in on the best odds in real-time during gameplay.

States With Legal Mobile Sports Betting Apps

Currently, online sports betting is legal in the following US states. These states include:

• New Hampshire

Additionally, sports betting legislation is under consideration in more than 20 US states including Connecticut and Massachusetts. Even more conservative states, like Texas, are considering the legalization of sports betting. With the current momentum, it's likely that more states will legalize online sports betting in the coming years.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Sports Betting Apps

The best online betting apps have a few things in common. They're obviously available in states with favorable sports betting laws. But some online betting apps can get a boost from neighboring states, too. (A fifth of New Jersey's sports betting handle came from New York. Many New Yorkers find it easier to place mobile bets in New Jersey than retail bets in northern New York.)

But the best sportsbook apps also have some of the best odds. Sportsbooks balance expected profit against great bettor odds. Each one strikes this balance differently, so bettors should do a little research on sportsbook odds before committing to one. Some sportsbooks, like DraftKings, have a large catalog of sports available to bet on. Smaller local sportsbooks may not have that same selection, limiting bettor choices.

Finally, bettors may be swayed by how easy sportsbook apps are to navigate. Some are covered in promotions for their ongoing bonuses. Others use the space for betting lines and little else. There's more to sportsbook apps than these few factors, but this will get new bettors started as they judge sportsbooks for themselves.

Mobile Sports Betting Apps Versus Online Sportsbook Sites

Since most sportsbook apps have their website counterparts, bettors may be wondering what the differences between them are. If bettors are just placing bets and using the app's core functions, the website differences will be cosmetic. Online sports betting apps offer a less immersive experience than a retail sportsbook. But that shouldn't be surprising. Take away the TV's, lounge, and bar, and suddenly sports betting feels more strategic than social.

Bettors should watch whether sportsbook apps are offered on iOS and Android. Most major sportsbook brands do. Some smaller brands do not.

Download Apple iOS Sports Betting Apps

Getting an app for sports betting onto the App Store requires operators to jump through a few hoops. For example, sportsbook operators had to change their code from HTML5 to iOS. (That's the least technical way to explain it, anyway.)

Gambling apps must also come with a 17+ rating, which is a much smaller obstacle than a new expensive coding requirement. That's bad news for apps like BetRivers that have separate apps for each state they're allowed to operate in. It was unsustainable before that requirement, but this new policy could push them to eventually adopt a single app.

The highest-rated apps for sports betting are sportsbooks with complementary media presences. Barstool Sportsbook has the best fans because they rate Barstool Sportsbook at a 4.7 on the app store.

Download Android Sports Betting Apps

Google doesn't allow sportsbook apps on the Google Play store. That may seem like an insurmountable obstacle. However, sportsbooks provide convenient workarounds. Bettors can download the Android app from sportsbook sites.

Most major sportsbook brands will offer Android apps, but smaller brands may not. The Apple Store has fewer barriers to entry than the Google Play Store. Consequently, some of the best Android betting apps will come from big brands like DraftKings and FanDuel.

How To Download And Use A Mobile Sportsbook

Getting setup with a new sportsbook is usually a quick and painless procedure. Here are the steps bettors need to go through to place their first bets on a sportsbook app.

1. Download the sportsbook app from the App Store or the Android link on the sportsbook's website.
2. Select 'Register' and complete the registration process. Usually, this consists of creating a username and password, then providing an email, social security number, and a few other pieces of identifying information. But sometimes sportsbook apps will ask for more verification steps, like sending a utility bill. (Something to research before selecting a sportsbook.)
3. Deposit funds by going to the account section, selecting ‘Deposit', then a payment method and amount.
4. Place a wager, but pay attention to bonus terms. Risk-free bets are often only good for the first bet. Deposit bonuses can come with funky terms, too. Check the fine print before trying to use a bonus.
5. Withdraw winnings, bet again, or take a break as appropriate.

Best Bonus Offers On Online Sports Betting Apps

Bettors will encounter two main types of bonuses: deposit bonuses and risk-free bets. Deposit bonuses award site credits proportional to bettor deposits and wagers. Risk-free bets refund lost wagers up to a certain amount in site credits.

Bettors shouldn't rely on redeeming these bonuses at retail sportsbooks, though. Bonuses are tied to individual accounts. So, if a retail sportsbook doesn't let a bettor sign in to an account, there's no reason to think a bettor would be able to use an online bonus at a retail sportsbook.

Online sportsbooks offer ongoing bets that award free credits for (often) risky wagers in certain popular leagues. Bettors will also find bet boosts that either offer better odds on (usually) risky wagers. They're smaller than welcome bonuses, so don't expect to rake in thousands of dollars on them.

Pros & Cons Of Sports Betting On Mobile Devices

Mobile sports betting is the most convenient way to place a sports bet. Bettors can make wagers from their phones during post-pandemic get-togethers to make Sunday night football more interesting.

But wagering on a phone can limit how many lines bettors can view at once. It's easier to take in the vast amount of information on a desktop. The bigger screen clears the layout to move around the sportsbook more efficiently. But it's hard to beat mobile sports betting's convenience. That outweighs the clarity that a larger screen can bring to a sportsbook app.

States With Retail Sportsbooks

Generally, sports betting can be broken into two categories: online and retail. When a state legalizes sports betting, it may choose to legalize both categories or only one category. With the exception of Tennessee (which allows only online sports betting), it's by far more common to see states legalize retail sports betting without online options.

Typically, a retail sportsbook is a brick-and-mortar location inside of a casino where bettors can place bets in-person on sports games and events. While the idea behind an online sports betting app is essentially the same, it allows you to place bets remotely from anywhere within state lines.

Here are the states in which retail sports betting is legal:

• Oregon
• Nevada
• Colorado
• Montona
• New Mexico
• Arkansas
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Mississippi
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• New Jersey
• Washington, DC
• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• New Hampshire
• Washington State
• South Dakota
• Louisiana
• North Carolina
• Virginia (although none have launched yet)
• Maryland

FAQs: Best Sports Betting Apps In The US

Yes. All states have been allowed to regulate sports betting since the US Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutionalin 2018. Now states can choose whether to legalize sports betting. Consequently, mobile gambling apps are legal in states where mobile gambling is allowed. As long as bettors are eligible to use them, there's no legal issue.

Partially. Bettors cannot place wagers in a state where online sports betting is illegal. However, bettors can create accounts, deposit and withdraw funds, and perform other administrative tasks. Bettors just won't be able to bet until they're within a legal state's borders. It's generally legal for a bettor to register with a betting app and then travel to a state with legal betting to officially place that bet.

Security. Licensed sportsbooks are subject to strict industry rules that protect bettors. For example, some state Gaming Commissions set required cash reserves for sportsbooks so they never run out of money to pay bettors. Illegal sportsbooks have no regulatory body. So, if they run out of money, bettors aren't entitled to compensation. (And that's assuming illegal sportsbooks feel obligated to pay bettors who win.)

It depends. The best odds will come from either bet boosts or betting exchanges. That could be sportsbooks like FOX Bet or SBK, which gets its odds from a betting exchange in London. DraftKings and FanDuel offer some of the best bonuses. Bettors have to decide what's important to them, then choose accordingly.

DraftKings, which has a statistics hub where bettors can see team performance histories. These insights could help strategic bettors decide how to place the most promising bets. (It should go without saying, but betting on a team because they're your favorite team is a poor strategy.) DraftKings has a reputation for being one of the best football betting apps.

Yes. Sportsbooks make plenty of money off bettor losses. Charging bettors to download an app would create a barrier between bettors and the vig. Sportsbook lines have 'house advantages' built into them, so if the favorite comes through, the sportsbooks make money. They're more than happy to invite bettors in for free and entice them to spend money later.

If you want to bet, then yes. Bettors can create accounts and browse sportsbook lines without making a single deposit. But bettors can't place bets for free. If you want to reap the rewards of an underdog win, then you need to put some skin in the game.

Infrequently. If you're like most people, you won't even know when your apps update. Sportsbooks and smartphone companies are staggeringly unlikely to require bettors to manually update apps. (What is this? 2007?) But sportsbooks can update one to four times a month. Debugging is a never-ending process, after all.

Virginia became one of the latest states to legalize sports betting in 2020. Five sportsbook apps launched in time for Super Bowl LV betting, with FanDuel sportsbook leading the way on January 21, 2021.

Numerous big names in the sports betting industry are set to launch throughout 2021. Some of these operators have deals with retail casino locations to be constructed over the next few years. Overall, the next few years are sure to be exciting for sports bettors all across the Old Dominion.

5 Best Virginia Sports Betting Apps 2021

• William Hill Sportsbook – Best for the largest risk-free bet
• FanDuel Sportsbook – Best sportsbook iOS & Android App
• BetMGM – Best for MGM players who want to earn MLife Rewards
• BetRivers – Best for to deposit bonus
• DraftKings Sportsbook – Best for DFS players who also want to bet

Virginia Sports Betting Recent Updates

• WynnBet to launch in the next two weeks – Wynn has announced that they have been approved for launch in Virginia and will be launching sometime between March 8 – March 19th.
• Early numbers show strong performance for Virginia sports betting – For the period of January 21 to January 31, 2021, Virginia sportsbooks brought in $58.9 million in handle.
• William Hill launches before Super Bowl in Virginia – on February 3rd William Hill launched in Virginia after partnering with Caesars Entertainment and became the fifth app. William Hill offers new players up to $2,021 risk-free bet.
• BetRivers and BetMGM join the fray – three days after DraftKings and six after FanDuel, two new sportsbooks entered the Virginia market. BetMGM and BetRivers both launched on January 27, 2021, bringing Virginia's sportsbook total to four. You can get up to $250 at BetRivers and up a $600 risk-free bet at BetMGM.
• DraftKings goes live in Virginia – three days after FanDuel's Virginia launch, DraftKings went live in the market on January 24, 2021. When you sign up for DraftKings Virginia, you can get a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
• FanDuel launches Virginia's first sportsbook – FanDuel debuted in Virginia on January 21, 2021. It was the first sportsbook to go live in the state, thanks in part to a partnership with the Washington Nationals. New FanDuel bettors can place a risk-free first bet up to $1,000.
• The Virginia Lottery begins accepting sports betting applications – On October 15, 2020, the Virginia Lottery opened up sports betting license applications. Dozens of operators applied in total, with several also applying for partnerships with Virginian cities like Danville and Portsmouth, who voted on referendums to allow the construction of retail casinos.
• Virginia voters approve five retail casinos – On November 3, 2020, voters approved five retail casinos in a referendum. Three of the cities have already partnered with online sportsbook operators and the other two teamed up with a local Indian Tribe: BetRivers via Portsmouth, Caesars via Danville, Hard Rock Casino via Bristol, Pamunkey Indian Tribe via Norfolk and Richmond.

The Best 5 Sports Betting Apps In Virginia (In-depth look)

Best for New Bettors

at William Hill VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, IL, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, WV

Best for New Bettors

William Hill Virginia

4.2

Risk-Free Bet

Licensed by

William Hill launched on February 3rd in Virginia just in time for the Super Bowl. With the largest risk-free opening bonus and a great website and app – William Hill is a great choice for Virginia sports bettors.

William Hill is the oldest continuously running sports betting company, with a large international footprint. They also operate the largest number of retail sportsbooks in the US. In Virginia, bettors can expect a strong and stable app, great ongoing promotions, and an easy-to-navigate live betting system on the app.

Largest risk-free bonus, biggest retail sportsbook footprint in US

Best for iOS and Android Apps

at FanDuel Sportsbook VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, IL, NJ, PA, IN, IA, CO, WV, TN, MI

Best for iOS and Android Apps

FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia

4.3

Risk-Free Bet

Licensed by

FanDuel is one of the two top dogs in American sports betting, and it already offers daily fantasy sports. This makes it no surprise that it was the first to confirm its launch in Virginia on January 21, 2021, only a day before its launch in Michigan.

With a generous opening bonus and a slick, streamlined user interface that makes the app easy to use even on high-traffic gamedays, FanDuel is likely to be a sports bettor favorite in Virginia.

DFS, search bar, odds format changing, odds-changing mid-bet

Best for MGM Players

at BetMGM VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, PA, TN, WV

Best for MGM Players

BetMGM Virginia

4.0

Risk-Free Bet

Licensed by

BetMGM is an international sportsbook operator that's likely to come to Virginia sometime early in 2021. As one of the biggest betting and casino companies in the world, this app offers excellent market depth and variety. Despite its recent arrival in the US, it has a solid user reputation already.

Included among its attractive features is a generous opening bonus, extra international betting pools, and markets for leagues and activities like international soccer, cricket, and Australian rules football, and more.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY & 21+

Best for Deposit Bonus

at BetRivers VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

Best for Deposit Bonus

BetRivers Virginia

4.0

Deposit Bonus

Licensed by

Sports betting enthusiasts will want to check out the BetRivers mobile app. Unlike most other prospective sportsbook launches, BetRivers is definitely known to be launching in 2021 since the operator has already made an agreement with Portsmouth, VA. This operator will provide retail sports betting once that city's casino has been constructed.

The app itself is one of the best on the market. It has a phenomenal loyalty program and a very clean, minimalist user interface. This makes navigating to different betting pools or game events quick and easy.

Sports newsfeed, 'Live Right Now' wagers, live streaming

Best for Sports Fans Who Also Play DFS

at BetMGM VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, IL, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, WV, PA, NH, TN

Best for Sports Fans Who Also Play DFS

DraftKings Virginia

4.2

Deposit Bonus

Licensed by

DraftKings is also likely to have a big presence in the Virginia sports betting market. That's partially because of its robust mobile app and its phenomenal market depth and variety, both of which blow most of its competitors out of the water. For example, DraftKings is one of the few operators to offer eSports betting on its mobile app where available under local state law.

DraftKings also has a very generous opening bonus totaling a little over $1000, an intuitive mobile app for all major platforms, and daily mobile-only betting pools that you can only access using the app rather than the desktop site.

Easy access betting slip, special mobile-only wagers, DFS

VA Sportsbooks Coming Soon

PointsBet Virginia (8.3/10)

• Opening Bonus Offer: $2000 in two risk-free bets
• Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
• Retail Casino Partnerships: N/A
• Key Features: Pointsbetting, search bar, live streaming, good layout
• Deposit Options: Electronic wallets, credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers

PointsBet is a relatively new sportsbook to come to America that offers phenomenal odds (especially for any fixed odds wagers). PointsBet shares its name from its special 'pointsbetting' system – this allows players to participate in a special type of spread betting. If you have an appetite for high risk and high reward wagers, it'll be a great app for you, even though its market depth and variety could be a little better.

All Virginia Sportsbook Sites

How To Place A Bet In Virginia

Virginia's sports betting legislation has made placing an online wager quick and easy.

Choose A Sportsbook

First, choose your sportsbook among the many that will launch sometime in the near future. To do this, either visit the Apple App Store and download the apps straight to your iPhone device or visit the sportsbook's online website and download the program to your Android device. The Google Play Store doesn't allow any gambling apps at all.

Best Free Sports Betting Apps For Ios

After downloading the app, open it to begin the registration process.

Register For An Account

Registering for a mobile sportsbook account will be simple. You do not need to visit a retail location in-person to complete the registration process (because Virginia doesn't have any retail casinos anyway).

Provide your name, address, Social Security Number, and any other required pieces of information. The app will verify your info for a moment, then allow you into the app if you are older than 21 years old and in Virginia. The app will install geolocation software to make sure you are accessing the app within Virginia's borders.

Deposit Cash

Most mobile sportsbooks allow you to utilize multiple deposit methods to fund your sports betting account. Most allow some combination of credit and debit card deposits, bank transfers, and electronic wallet transfers.

Simply choose the method you want to use and connect that method to your account. This may require signing into your deposit method of choice – for example, if you want to use PayPal, you may need to use your PayPal username and password to link that account to your sportsbook.

Then you can decide how much money you want to place in your account. This will allow you to take advantage of many sportsbooks' opening bonuses based on their terms and conditions.

Place Bets

Once your account is funded, you can navigate through the app as you like and start placing wagers! Be sure to take advantage of any opening bonuses that might apply to your account. These include deposit match bonuses, risk-free bets, and more.

Virginia's Legal Sportsbooks

Ultimately, Virginia's legal sportsbooks are far superior to any illegal or offshore betting sites.

For starters, every Virginian sportsbook is licensed and regulated by the Virginia Lottery. This overseeing body performs regular investigations into all the sportsbooks within Virginia's borders and makes sure that any operating sportsbook has excellent digital security to protect the financial data of its users.

Internet security is particularly important because identity theft and other cyber threats are much more common these days. In contrast, offshore or illegal sites usually don't have high-quality security, let alone basic SSL certification. This means anyone who uses those sites puts their personal information and financial data at risk.

All licensed sportsbooks in Virginia must both have insurance for their users and must report their winnings to the state government and IRS. This does mean that you'll need to pay taxes on any winnings you get from using a Virginia sportsbook. But it's a small price to pay for security and peace of mind.

Virginia's Sports Betting Revenue

It's tough to say just how much revenue Virginia's state government can expect once sports betting fully launches and gets going. However, certain studies have indicated that mobile sports betting revenue alone might approach $400 million over the next seven years or so.

When you consider the fact that Virginia is also launching retail casinos (which will incorporate their own brick-and-mortar sportsbooks), it's clear that the Virginian state government has a lot to look forward to in terms of revenue.

The industry as a whole is set to explode. The more the market opens and develops, the more promotional opportunities and licensing deals will flood the state.

Per Virginia's sports betting legislation, a 12% tax rate will apply to most sports betting revenue. For example, if the state generates (according to the above study) $462 million in annual revenue, the state government will receive around $55 million in taxes.

Mobile alone may generate close to $400 million in revenue and, therefore, also generate $40 million in taxes for the Virginian government. All in all, it's likely that the government will appreciate its decision to legalize sports betting very soon.

How Virginia Compares To Other States

Although Virginia has been relatively barren in terms of gambling opportunity in recent years, its sports betting legislation is pretty similar to the rules adopted by other states, like New Jersey. For example, Virginia's sports betting restriction against betting on collegiate teams from its own universities is identical to the laws adopted by New Jersey sportsbooks.

In contrast, Pennsylvania doesn't have any restrictions on collegiate sports betting, which goes to show that individual states have clearly different opinions about what constitutes moral sports wagering.

Furthermore, there are states that have adopted sports betting without allowing casinos to be built. For instance, Tennessee now allows sports betting but does not allow either casinos or poker. In contrast, Virginia will allow retail casinos to be built across five cities (with more potentially being built in the future).

In summary, Virginia is around the middle of the pack in terms of gambling opportunities and freedom. Once the state government sees the extra income earned from sports betting, further restrictions may eventually be lifted.

Virginia Betting Successes And Failures

Virginia's Sports Betting Success

So far, Virginia's big sports betting success has undoubtedly been the launch of online sports wagering before the retail casinos are constructed. Because building a new casino or resort takes a few years at a minimum, Virginian residents are no doubt relieved that they'll still be able to enjoy mobile sports betting before those brick-and-mortar locations are ready to be visited.

Furthermore, Virginia's Lottery performed rather impressively when it came to creating the rules and regulations for sports betting. In just a few months, sports betting went from illegal in Virginia to fully licensed and regulated.

The Lottery began accepting applications on October 15, 2020, and finished accepting applications by Halloween. In total, eighteen sportsbooks are set to launch over the next few years when you combine online sites and retail operations. About 25 companies applied for licenses.

In other words, Virginia's sports betting scene is so far impressive due to its speed. Few states have launched sports betting as successfully and efficiently.

Where Could Virginia Improve Online Gambling

This being said, Virginia could definitely improve its online gambling sphere by also legalizing online casino games and other activities like poker. For legal online gambling, Virginia bettors will need to travel to West Virginia.

For now, the only online gambling activity is sports betting (and daily fantasy sports, which technically doesn't count as gambling). Even the state lottery must be played in person, preventing people from purchasing lottery tickets online.

However, it may be that Virginia legislators are looking to see how sports betting fully actualizes over the next few years before lifting the restriction on other forms of gambling. Hopefully, we'll see many more gambling opportunities launch over the next decade.

Virginia could also make sports betting more accessible by allowing bets on local college teams, particularly in a state that doesn't have any professional teams to officially call its own.

Sports Betting Apps Ios Download

Legalization Effort In Virginia

The path to sports betting legalization in Virginia was long and hard-fought. Although the federal ban on sports gambling was lifted in May 2018, it took until 2019 for Virginian lawmakers to even begin debating sports betting proposals.

Then it took the rest of 2019 to reach an agreement. By April 2020, the Virginia House and Senate crafted a pair of bills outlining sports betting rules and restrictions. Both bills faced a little pushback from Governor Ralph Northam, who made a number of unspecified changes.

Fortunately, Northam did not stand in the way of progress and allowed both bills to pass the House and Senate. He then signed off on the final bills and set the date for legalization: July 1, 2020.

It's likely that Northam was responsible for the two-month waiting period before official sports betting processes could begin. This allowed the weeks between July 15 and September 15 to be allocated to the Virginia Lottery, which then wrote detailed sports betting regulations.

Timeline For Virginia Sports Betting

• May 2018 – Sports betting ban is lifted at the federal level
• April 2020 – Bills HB 896 and SB 384 pass the Virginia House and Senate, respectively
• April 22, 2020 – Gov. Ralph Northam signs both bills and legalizes sports betting in Virginia
• July 1, 2020 – Sports betting officially becomes legal in Virginia
• July 15, 2020 – Temporary sports betting regulations are issued
• August 10, 2020 – Updated sportsbook draft regulations are released by the Lottery
• September 15, 2020 – Virginia Lottery publishes its official sports betting regulations
• October 15, 2020 – The Lottery starts accepting license applications from sportsbook operators
• October 31, 2020 – The sportsbook application window closes
• November 3, 2020 – The referendum for Virginian cities that decides whether they will allow or outlaw casino construction is held
• January 21, 2021 – Online and mobile sports betting launches in Virginia

Virginia Teams

Virginia Professional Sports Teams

Virginia residents have long dreamed of online sports betting coming to their state in large part because many of them are sports fanatics! Interestingly, Virginia doesn't have a professional sports franchise of national repute.

However, Virginia is the state that most Washington DC professional sports teams call home. For instance, both the Washington Football Team and Washington Capitals (an NHL team) have their practice facilities and corporate headquarters stationed in Northern Virginia. This is even though both teams play outside of Virginia.

Thus, sports bettors would be wise to place wagers and look for promotional opportunities for the Washington Football Team. As a five-time NFL champion, this team is definitely one to watch, particularly when they face off against the Dallas Cowboys (their primary rival). Virginia bettors will also be able to place bets on the Baltimore Ravens and all other NFL teams.

But sports bettors should also check out the Washington Wizards, which is the closest professional NBA team for most Virginians to support. Games against the Cleveland Cavaliers are sure to be accompanied by excellent wagers and promotional opportunities due to the long-standing rivalry between both teams.

Other popular professional teams available for betting include the Washington Nationals, and the Baltimore Orioles. The Nationals have risen to prominence in the last few years and the Orioles have a strong rivalry with both the Yankees and the Red Sox.

Virginia College Sports Teams

While many Virginians love college sports, Virginia's recent sports betting legislation has unfortunately placed severe limitations on college sports betting.

Sports Betting Apps In Pa

In fact, it will not be legal to place sports bets on Virginia college sports within the state. Instead, Virginia residents will only be allowed to place bets on college sports teams in other states (with the exceptions of proposition bets and live betting, which are still prohibited).

This is likely a big bummer for sports betting enthusiasts, as Virginia Tech and Virginia State University are two of the country's leading teams for college football and basketball. But while Virginia sports bettors won't be able to place wagers on the Virginia Cavaliers, Tech Hokies, or Liberty Flames, there are still lots of other options to bet on using the plethora of soon-to-launch sports betting apps. This includes being able to bet on the Georgetown Hoyas, the Maryland Terrapins, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, all popular local college basketball teams.

What Is The Best App For Sports Betting

Other Sports To Bet On In Virginia

Aside from professional sports, Virginian sports bettors will likely be able to find and enjoy lots of excellent betting markets for activities like NASCAR: arguably the most popular non-ball-sport activity in the state. This is probably because Virginia is home to four different annual NASCAR races in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Additional races to look for high-value wagers and betting markets include:

• Xfinity 500
• ValleyStar Credit Union 300
• Dominion Energy Charity Classic

Virginia Sports Betting FAQs

Yes. As of July 1, 2020, online sports betting is legal provided it is done on a licensed app currently regulated by the Virginia Lottery. The first sports betting app launched on January 21, 2021.

You must be 21 years of age or older to bet online within Virginia's borders. This is the same age for the state lottery.

The Virginia Lottery regulates all online sportsbook activity. In addition, this organization will oversee retail sportsbook operations once they launch at brick-and-mortar casinos throughout Virginian cities.

No. Any Virginia mobile sportsbook will request your address and install geolocation software as the app installs. This requires you to be within Virginia's borders when placing a wager or using a mobile sportsbook. You do not need to be a resident of Virginia, just located within its borders.

Yes. Mobile sportsbooks currently (or soon to be) operating in Virginia are licensed and regulated by the Lottery. This means that the Lottery investigated the operator and found that they had both excellent digital security, such as SSL certification, and insurance to protect its users in the event of fraud or theft.

In other words, any legal online sportsbooks are well-vetted and should be safe to use. If you have any issues, you can bring a grievance to the Virginia Lottery and they will investigate on your behalf.

Yes and no. You are not allowed to place any sports wagers on Virginian college teams, like the Virginia Tech Hokies, regardless of league. However, you can place college sports bets on out-of-state college teams so long as they are not playing against a Virginia team. There is also a general prohibition against placing live bets or proposition bets on college sports.

More Resources On Virginia Sports Betting

• Official Virginia House of Representatives sports betting bill HB 896
• Official Virginia Senate sports betting bill SB 384
• The Virginia Lottery, where you can file a complaint or learn more about their regulation process
• Virginia Mercury, an online newspaper with regular news about the Old Dominion and sports betting developments