Virginia Casinos & Legal Online Gambling

Though several land-based casino locations have opened, there are still no legal online casinos in Virginia. But there are plenty of other online gaming options. If you haven't tried social casinos, give it a go! You also have sportsbooks and fantasy sports to choose from.

I've noticed a healthy appetite among both residents and lawmakers to expand the scope of in-state gambling laws. Let's take a look at how we got to this point, and what developments we can expect.

Virginia’s Current Online Casino & Gambling Laws Explained

While the legal status of online casinos in Virginia may change, there are some gambling options available already.

 In the late 1980s, the Virginia Lottery Board began selling scratchers and tickets for various games, and legalized horse betting. This was the status quo for some time, but in 2016, daily fantasy sports were launched. And in 2019, Virginia legalized physical casinos and sports betting online. Rivers Casino Portsmouth was the first land based casino, and opened in early 2023. Then followed temporary locations for Hard Rock Bristol and Caesars Danville.

Recent Updates on Online Gambling in Virginia

• January 2025: Senator Mamie Locke presented a bill that would give the 4 land based casinos in Virginia licenses for online gambling from the Virginia Lottery Board. The bill calls for establishing iGaming rules fast, paving the way for a launch in late 2025 or early 2026. It's unclear how much support the legislation has. But some in the retail casino industry have been outspoken about online gaming potentially eating into their bottom line.
• November 2024: The city of Petersburg becomes the fifth (and final) retail casino location. Residents voted for a $1.4 billion plan for Cordish Companies to build a 400,000 square-foot complex. This includes a gaming space, a hotel with 300 rooms, a 3,000-seat convention center, plus entertainment options and amenities.
• October 2024: Ground is broken on the awaited new casino in Norfolk's entertainment district. Set on the banks of the Elizabeth River, the project calls for a gaming space that includes roughly 4,000 slot games and 200 live dealer games. The goal is for the casino to open its doors in September 2027.

Exploring Free Play Casinos in Virginia

So while real-money online casino gaming hasn't yet gotten the green light from the Virginia General Assembly, there are free sites for pure entertainment. So, instead of risking your own money, you get free virtual currency to play for.

If you're itching to play and don't mind it being for free, social casinos are your best bet for now. This also gives you an idea of what games to play with real money once the option is available.

What is a Social Casino?

In short, social casinos gives you the same experience as other casinos, but without money. They give you the option to play all the popular games, be it slots or tables, without depositing or wagering real money. Just like you can't win real cash at a site like this, you don't risk losing your own money either.

Many social casinos even offer free sc coins to help get you started.

How Do I Play Free Casino Games in Virginia?

Getting up and running on a social (also called casual) casino site or app is easy. Once you sign up with a social casino, you can access their game lobby. Most of them work just as well in your browser as if you download an app.

If you just want to try some online slots for free, you can do that here as well! The free demo games work exactly like the real deal, there just isn't any money in play.

What Are the Best Free Online Casinos in Virginia?

Taking a look at the selection of games and performance, I'd recommend BetRivers. It is free-to-play sites that have a corresponding real-money experience. So, you get the same games, software, features, and even support that paying customers do.

BetRivers Virginia Online Casino

You might be familiar with the real-money version of BetRivers, which I give high points for its variety, customer support, and overall experience. This free-play version of the platform comes with all the bells and whistles of the standard site, just minus the cash stakes. The platform is very user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for newbies to online betting, or online gaming in general.

What Is the Legal Age to Play Free Games at Virginia Online Casinos?

You must be 18 years old to purchase and play any Virginia Lottery games. You need to be 21 or older to gamble at retail and online sportsbooks, or at any of the state's land-based casino options.

Are Bonuses Available at Virginia Casinos? Will there be Promos for VA Online Casinos?

Physical casinos in Virginia offer a variety of loyalty rewards. From shopping discounts and free play to dining and hotel stays for bigger bettors. (A friendly reminder here that no matter what extras are on the table, it's important to have responsible gambling habits.) I'm 100% confident that if and when Virginia online casinos become a reality, there will be a whole host of casino welcome bonuses.

Does Virginia Have Land-Based Casinos?

Yes! After an approved referendum for Virginia to decide on five potential locations for casinos, four passed. Only Richmond residents voted no on the matter. The first retail casino to open was the Rivers Casino Portsmouth. More casinos have opened since; Caesars in Danville and Hard Rock in Bristol. And construction projects for permanent sites are underway.

What Is the Biggest Casino in Virginia?

For a long time, the only permanent casino location in Virginia, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, checked in as the largest and most varied option. The 400,000-square-foot resort features almost 1,500 slot games, over 50 live dealer games, a 24-table poker room, a sports betting lounge, and more. Hard Rock Bristol Casino Resort has a very similar 1,500 slot machines, almost 60 table games, a sports betting lounge and a new poker room.

What Casinos Are in Richmond?

While there are no full-service casinos in Richmond, Colonial Downs features both horse racing and Rosie's Gaming Emporium. The site features off-track betting and many slot games.

What Casinos Are in Norfolk?

Norfolk doesn't yet have a casino, but ground has been broken on a massive casino gambling resort on the banks of the Elizabeth River. The waterfront casino is slated to have 4,000 slot games and 200 live dealer games, along with dining, convention, and hotel space.

What Casinos Are in Bristol?

As mentioned above, Hard Rock Bristol is a massive facility, with plenty of options for playing, staying, and dining.

Comparing Offshore and Legal In-State Casinos

You may have seen ads and bonus offers for websites claiming to be the top Virginia online casinos. But how can this be, if this type of online wagering isn't legal? Well, these are likely "offshore" casinos that use international servers to get around regional gambling laws.

Beyond existing in a legal grey area, these casinos are NOT regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board, making it difficult to protect players. That's why I only recommend using licensed, fully above-board online casinos, no matter where you're located.

Potential Regulation of Online Casinos in Virginia

As with physical casinos, Virginia online casinos will most likely be licensed and regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board. That group is also in charge of online sportsbook licensing and of course, any games under the Virginia Lottery umbrella. The most recent bill put before the Virginia state government would allow casinos to launch up to three separate casino sites.

Future Trends in Online Gambling in Virginia

Virginia appears ready to expand its online gambling legislation after recent industry developments. There are politicians and residents who still disagree, but as more states legalize online gambling, Virginia has a strong economic incentive to consider. Even if the current proposal doesn't go through, it seems like the discussion will continue, and approval may eventually come. Time will tell!

Current Legal Gambling Options in Virginia

There are many legal avenues for gambling in Virginia already. Here's a quick overview of what's available at the moment, including some we haven't covered yet:

• Sports Betting: There's no shortage of choices for folks who like to get a little action on sporting events´. With 13 sportsbooks licensed and operating in the state. This includes BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and other popular brands.
• Daily Fantasy Sports: DFS games arrived in Virginia in 2016. Popular options include DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog.
• Local Retail Casinos: There are two permanent and two temporary casino resorts in Virginia. And another major waterfront casino resort coming up in Norfolk.
• Horse Racing: A public referendum legalized horse betting via pari-mutuel wagering in 1988. Popular tracks include Colonial Downs, Foxfield Racing, and Shenandoah Downs.
• Bingo: Charitable organizations can raise funds via Bingo (and other games) if they get a Charitable Gaming Permit from the state. They're still limited to accepting wagers and paying cash prizes on seven days or less in a calendar year.
• Lottery: The Virginia Lottery started selling scratchers and numbers game tickets in 1988. The organization has continued to expand its offerings, and now oversees other forms of gambling in the state.

Could Online Casinos Be Legalized in Virginia by 2025?

Good question... And the wishy-washy answer is that it depends. If the proposed bill from January 2025 gets strong support, retail casinos in Virginia will be able to apply for online gaming licenses. If they get them, each casino could create and manage up to three online casinos. But there is opposition to the legislation, including concerns from some physical casinos who would have to compete with them. I think that at this point, online casinos are a coinflip for 2025, but a fairly sure bet to arrive in the next few years.