Virginia Gambling & Gaming Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for gambling & gaming in the state of Virginia. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 6 different categories.
Daily Fantasy Sports
LEGALDaily Fantasy Sports are legal in Virginia. Virginia legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016.
DFS Rules
Legal
Licensed Operators
Legal
Penalties
N/A
Minimum Age
18+
Gambling Age
RESTRICTEDThe minimum gambling age in Virginia is 21 for casino gambling and sports betting. State law sets the minimum gambling age at 21 for casino gambling.
Casino Minimum Age
21+ for casinos/sports betting; 18+ for lottery
Lottery/Other Gambling Age
Legal
Penalties
Underage gambling is a misdemeanor; venues face license revocation.
Minimum Gambling Age
18-21 depending on type
Online Casinos & Poker
LEGALVirginia legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2020 under the Virginia Lottery Act (Va. Code § 58.1-4000 et seq.). The Virginia Lottery Board regulates online casino and poker platforms, which launched in 2021. Licensed operators may offer real-money online casino games and poker.
Online Casino Rules
Possession of licensed online casino and poker software is legal.
Licensed Platforms
Sale and operation of licensed online casino and poker platforms is legal under Va. Code § 58.1-4000.
Penalties
N/A for licensed operations; unlicensed operations face Class 1 misdemeanor or higher.
Minimum Age
21+ for all online gambling activities.
Virginia legalized online sports betting in 2020 under HB 896 (Va. Code § 59.1-400 et seq.). Licensed operators can offer online/mobile sports betting statewide. Online casino gambling remains illegal.
Online Gambling Rules
Possession and use of licensed online sports betting apps is legal.
Licensed Operators
Only licensed operators approved by the Virginia Lottery Board may offer online sports betting.
Penalties
Unlicensed operators face criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment under Va. Code § 18.2-340.
Minimum Age
21 years old.
Poker Home Games
LEGALSocial poker home games are legal in Virginia as long as no one takes a rake or house cut from the pot. No significant changes to social gambling laws in recent years.
Home Game Rules
Legal for social games without a rake
Rake/House Cut Rules
N/A
Penalties
Taking a rake converts it to illegal gambling.
Age Requirements
Varies, typically 18+
Sports Betting
RESTRICTEDSports betting is legal in Virginia. No significant changes since the launch in 2021.
In-Person Betting
Legal for 21+. Virginia launched sports betting in January 2021 under HB 4. Online/mobile and retail available. Competitive market with FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and others. Virginia allows betting on professional and college sports with restrictions (no bets on Virginia college teams' in-state games).
Online/Mobile Betting
Online/mobile betting available statewide. Retail sportsbooks at licensed casinos (Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Hard Rock Bristol, Caesars Virginia). Operator tax rate: 15% of adjusted gross revenue.
Penalties
Unlicensed gambling operations face criminal charges under Virginia Code § 18.2-325. Individual bettors using licensed platforms face no penalties.
Minimum Betting Age
21+