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Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Updated: October 9, 2026
The state of Virginia has an interesting history when it comes to regulated wagering. In this article, we look at the history, the laws relating to legalized play and what the future holds for online casinos Virginia residents can access. For a broader look at the landscape, see our guide to the best online casinos available to U.S. players.
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The current laws don’t allow for real-money online casinos, thus making Virginia a non-iGaming-friendly state. Online casinos are not legal here, despite legalization proposals in the last couple of years. Going by the action in the legislative wing, it appears that talks on this will extend to the next year. Whether the outcome would be as expected or not is a topic we look at in-depth in this article.
Filip Gromovic
Senior iGaming Writer · FreeSlots99
“Virginia is on the edge of a major legislative shift. SB 827 and HB 161 project $343 million in iGaming tax revenue by FY2028 growing to over $1 billion by FY2032 — that’s the kind of number that moves legislation. Neighboring West Virginia already has a thriving regulated market, and Virginia’s sports betting handle hit $7.68 billion in 2026, proving the appetite is there. Watch the 2027 session closely. Meanwhile, sweepstakes are under pressure too — SB 579 was considered in 2026. For now, social casinos with single non-redeemable currencies and licensed online sportsbooks are the only legal paths to online play.”
For context, the U.S. iGaming market is growing rapidly. According to the American Gaming Association’s 2026 State of the States report, online casino revenue reached $8.41 billion across seven states with legal iGaming in 2024 – a 28.7% year-over-year increase. Virginia currently captures none of this revenue, while neighboring West Virginia already operates a regulated iGaming market.
“In 2024, Americans embraced the diverse legal gaming options available to them – whether in casinos, at sportsbooks, or online – leading to another record-setting year for our industry.”
– Bill Miller, President & CEO, American Gaming Association (February)
Just like most states that prohibit casino play online, Virginia spells out some of the accepted forms of wagering. These are also available across the regulated operator platforms in the state.
It’s worth mentioning that the control of each of these aspects lies with different authorities. That being said, here are some of the options open to residents.
| Type | Year Legalized | Regulator | Online Available |
| Charitable Wagering | 1973 | Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services | No |
| State Lottery | 1988 | Virginia Lottery | Yes (iLottery) |
| Horse Racing | 1996 (online: 2007) | Virginia Racing Commission | Yes |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | 2016 | Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services | Yes |
| Retail Casino | 2020 | State Lottery Board | No |
| Sports Wagering | 2020 (launched Jan 2021) | State Lottery Board | Yes |
| Online Casino (iGaming) | Not yet legal | – | No |
One wouldn’t be surprised that horse races are legal in the state. The history dates back to 1996 when the legal nod was given to allow for both pari-mutuel and horse race wagering activities.
At the time, it was limited to physical or offline locations, especially at licensed racetracks. Things looked up for that market when, in 2007, the Virginia Racing Commission, which had been created for this purpose back in 1996, took charge of regulating the now legal online horse racing market. It ensures that residents wager on games held out-of-state and within the state and bets must be placed with licensed operators.
DFS is a popular form of online play in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates it.
It became legal in the year 2016 under the Fantasy Contests Act, which ensures transparency and the protection of consumers participating in fantasy contests. This particular Act was enacted in 2016 and made the state of Virginia the first in the United States to recognize the addition of fantasy sports into the legal options.
The latest addition came in 2021, when sports wagering on online platforms became allowed. The options extend to in-game bets, wagering on the outcome of professional sports and college sports.
Virginia’s sports wagering market has grown significantly since launch. According to the state regulator’s monthly reports, the state’s total handle reached $7.68 billion in 2026 – a 10.9% increase from the 2024 figure of $6.93 billion. Operators pay a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue, with 2.5% earmarked for the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
The Virginia Lottery, the agency tasked with regulating casinos, lottery and sports wagering within the Commonwealth, is in-charge here. It was constituted in 1988 and initially started out with offering draw games and scratch-off tickets.
Real money casino games, including live dealer games and progressive jackpots, are not permitted at online casinos in Virginia. This is because legislative efforts to enact laws haven’t come to pass.
Hopefully, in the 2026 legislative year, things might take a different turn, especially with the SB 827 bill and House Bill 161.
Virginia has an interesting rundown of events leading up to the current legislative attempts. Here’s a breakdown:
In a rare move, the Virginia General Assembly, in 1973, recognized charitable wagering. This ended the decade-long restrictions, which limited most activities to small-scaled operations. The law permitted nonprofit organizations to engage in raffles and bingo.
Over a decade later, precisely in 1987, a referendum saw the approval of a state-run lottery program. This would climax in the institution of the state lottery a year later to oversee these activities.
Then, in 1996, horse races were legalized and bets were allowed. It’d be followed up by the creation of the Virginia Racing Commission to regulate both the pari-mutuel and horse racing markets.
The 21st century marked the beginning of a more positive tone for the gambling industry in Virginia. It started with the legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in 2016, and the legalization of retail casinos in 2020.
Hopes for online casinos mounted after the legalization of sports wagering in 2021. This is why, in December 2024, the first bill seeking to recognize online casino Virginia operations was pre-filed by Senator Mamie Locke. Senate Bill 827 also aimed to regulate online casino activities in the state.
A month later, in January 2026, the bill proposed a timeline for implementation, but didn’t see the light of day because it was halted.
“This bill is designed to authorize reputable, regulated companies to offer internet gaming to Virginians within a safe and legal market. However, after introducing this bill, we have decided that it requires further study on this issue.”
– Senator Mamie Locke, Virginia Senate Subcommittee hearing (January)
It’s hoped that the 2026 legislative year brings something positive, especially for the application commencement and launch of the online casinos seeking to operate in Virginia.
The financial incentive is significant. According to the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Subcommittee report, legalizing iGaming in Virginia could generate an estimated $5.3 billion in new taxable revenue over five years. A separate JLARC fiscal impact review of SB 118 projects that iGaming, taxed at 20%, could bring in $343 million in state revenues by FY2028, growing to over $1 billion by FY2032. House Bill 161, the companion bill in the House of Delegates, contains similar revenue projections for the gambling industry.
Online sports wagering, which became legal in 2021, is allowed on many operator platforms in Virginia, including FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, BetMGM, Bally Bet and DraftKings.
It must be mentioned that these platforms are allowed to offer everything else except for youth sports and college sports team bets.
As of 2026, Virginia allows up to 12 online sportsbooks. According to RG.org’s state tracker, over 99% of the state’s handle comes from mobile platforms, with no standalone retail sportsbooks permitted outside land-based casinos.
Some online casinos in Virginia operate in the state and even though not yet recognized, offer some of the best game collections, including live dealer games, progressive jackpots and blackjack and roulette variants. Many of these platforms also function as sweepstakes casinos. In this section, we look at some of the best options by category.
⚠ Important: Sweepstakes and social casinos listed below are not regulated by the state lottery board. They operate under different legal frameworks and do not offer traditional real-money play. Players should verify the licensing and jurisdiction of any platform before participating. Virginia lawmakers considered banning sweepstakes casinos during the 2026 session (SB 579), so regulatory changes may occur in the near future.
Hello Millions operates on a sweepstakes model, which allows for no real money commitments. Rather, players are selected and allowed to play casino-style games without requiring payment.
As a sweepstakes online casino in Virginia, it serves as an alternative for residents to play online games like blackjack and roulette, slots and poker, even in an unlicensed jurisdiction.
The game categories cut across jackpots, slots, megaways and cascading reels. Unlimited play, which allows unending action and extended playtime, is available with these two titles:
The platform also has Exclusive GC Slots, which are three slot games playable with Gold Coins (GC). The titles are:
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Play Spree Limited owns Spree, a social casino incorporated in the Isle of Man and optimized to offer extensive online slots Virginia players can enjoy.
This is the hub to hundreds of slots, including the new titles and classics like:
These slots are sourced from leading software companies that provide titles for online casinos in the state, such as 3 Oaks Gaming, Relax Gaming, Microgaming and Habanero.
Signing up here opens you up to a plethora of incentives, including:
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Turn to Super Slots if you want to have all casino games in one place, including live dealer games, progressive jackpots and table games. Super Slots casinos also feature a robust poker tournament schedule alongside over 300 slot titles at this online casino.
Players who make a first deposit at Super Slots can claim a welcome offer that includes deposit matches and up to 100 free spins on selected slot titles. The wagering requirement for the welcome bonus varies by promotion, so check the terms before you deposit money.
Other categories at Super Slots are:
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Tao Fortune is the platform for online casino bonuses, including free Gold Coins. Up to 100,000 units of Tao Coins are up for grabs when you make an account – no first deposit required for the initial welcome offer.
Signing up is simple. Use any of the provided options:
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Slots of Vegas is a platform operating primarily to bridge the gap for U.S. residents, especially those who are unable to access a real money online casino Virginia has yet to regulate. From Virginia, you can use sites like this to play at online slots, table games and live dealer games. The over 240-game catalog promises to offer some of your favorite titles and a collection of new ones you’d love to check out, including 300 free spins promotions on selected slots.
This platform is the best for prize pools for these reasons:
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| Casino | Best For | Type | Games | Welcome Offer | Payout Speed |
| Hello Millions | Sweepstakes fans | Sweepstakes casino | Slots, megaways, jackpots, cascading reels | Free Gold Coins (no deposit) | Varies |
| Spree | Online slots | Social casino (Isle of Man) | Hundreds of slots | 30,000 GC + 30 SC for $9.99 | Varies |
| Super Slots | All casino games | Offshore (real money) | 300+ slots, live dealer, poker, table games | Deposit match + up to 100 FS | 1–3 days |
| Tao Fortune | Casino bonuses | Social casino | Slots library | Up to 100,000 Tao Coins (no deposit) | Varies |
| Slots of Vegas | Prize pools | Offshore (real money) | 240+ | 190% for slots + 250% up to $2,500 + 300 FS | 1–3 days |
To get started, one needs to pick from our list of best Virginia online casinos. Choosing a trusted platform is important and it often narrows down to your expectations – whether you’re after live dealer games, 100 free spins on sign-up, or progressive jackpots.
Go for Spree if you want to play online and wager on an abundance of online slots real money Virginia platforms don’t yet offer through regulated channels. Otherwise, pick Slots of Vegas for access to a larger prize pool. Others are Hello Millions if you plan to play casino-style games, Super Slots for all the casino games and live dealer tables, or Tao Fortune for more online casino bonuses.
Now that you’ve chosen the best online site, let’s proceed to the next stages.
Create an account with basic information, such as email address, telephone number and full name, if the site requires that. Thereafter, confirm the email by clicking on the activation link sent to the registered email address.
There’s no real money on most of these platforms. All you get are free Gold Coins (GC) or the native coins peculiar to the sites. Some international casinos may offer a welcome bonus with 300 free spins or deposit matches on your first deposit.
While some are offered freely, others may require you to make a minimum first deposit to qualify. Check the wagering requirement before committing – never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Armed with the GCs, you can now play the games for fun. If you have sweep coins, which are native to the platform, you can use those to enter sweepstakes. That’s where you get a chance to win some money from participating in blackjack, slots and some other table games.
The amount won can then be converted into prize money withdrawn from casinos in Virginia and win real cash. It’s also possible to redeem the gambling winnings in the forms of:
Despite the fact that real-money online casinos are not yet available in the state, residents can still rely on casino-style games offered at sweepstakes, social casinos and land-based casino facilities.
Generally, you can play and bet on anything from table games to slot machines at brick-and-mortar casinos. On social casinos and sweepstakes platforms, you have the options to do that on:
On the website, the state’s lottery regulator classifies the types of games one can also play. They include:
As of the time of writing, there are five casinos currently in operation or development in Virginia, not counting the online platforms. It’s to be noted that the facilities began springing up just two years ago, with the first being Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened on January 23, 2023.
Ever since then, two others have opened. The second was the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol on November 14, 2024. It was closely followed by Caesars Virginia, which opened up its doors to residents on December 17, 2024.
Currently, some other facilities are under construction, preparatory to opening their doors to the public to come and play. Leading the pack is HeadWaters Resort & Casino, which would be located in Norfolk. It’s set for a temporary opening in November 2026 and a full-scale operation from September 2027.
Further expansion is underway. According to local reports, a $1.4 billion casino development in Petersburg was endorsed by 82% of voters in November 2024. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell also filed a motion in January 2026 to create a resort-style casino in the Tysons area of Fairfax County, which is expected to generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue for both the Commonwealth and Fairfax County.
Below is a full list of what the state-licensed land-based casinos in Virginia offer:
| Name of Land-Based Casino | Location | Opening Date | What It Offers |
| Rivers Casino Portsmouth | 3630 Victory Blvd., Portsmouth | January 23, 2023 | Six electronic table games, 1,400 slot machines, a poker room with 24 tables and a sportsbook featuring football, MMA racing and hockey. |
| Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | 500 Gate City Hwy, Bristol | November 14, 2024 | Over 1,500 slot titles, 12 table games with different variations, and live poker action. |
| Caesars Virginia | 1100 W. Main St. Danville | December 17, 2024 | 100,000 sq ft facility with 1,500 slot machines, 79 table games and a poker room. |
| HeadWaters Resort & Casino | Norfolk (under construction) | Temporary: Nov 2026; Full: Sep 2027 | Details to be announced. |
| Petersburg Casino (planned) | Petersburg | TBD | $1.4 billion development, approved by 82% voter referendum in Nov 2024. |
As the rules set out by the state regulator, the laws and regulations guiding the operations of facilities and operators in the state are strictly followed through. In this section, we look at some of the applicable laws and why they matter.
The organization stipulates that online casino Virginia activities shall not be legal in the country, except some important requirements are met. These include:
Under the proposed SB 827 and its 2026 successors (SB 118 and House Bill 161), the state lottery board would issue Internet operator licenses. Each of the state-licensed online casino operators could host up to three platforms (known as “skins”). Operators would pay a $1 million application fee. The proposed tax rate ranges from 15% to 20% on adjusted gross revenue, depending on the bill version. Gambling winnings from these platforms would also be subject to state taxation.
The minimum age to play at online casinos in Virginia is 21. Only residents who are twenty-one years of age at the time will be allowed to participate in online casino play when it’s legalized.
The state regulator recognizes the illegality of online casino wagering at this time. As such, the organization requires residents to refrain from participating in it, pending when a referendum is done and a bill enacting it into law is passed.
Consequent to that, the following actions constitute illegal activity:
Only state-licensed platforms are allowed to offer wagering in the state. The land-based facilities need approval from the state regulator to operate. This is, of course, after a referendum tilts towards the favor and the law permitting the same is enacted.
Let’s look at the differences between offshore and state-licensed platforms in Virginia.
| Criteria | State-Licensed Virginia Sites | Offshore Sites |
| Regulation | State Lottery Board / Virginia Racing Commission | Foreign jurisdictions (Curacao, Anjouan, etc.) |
| Game Types | Sports wagering, horse racing, DFS, lottery | Slots, table games, poker, video poker, live dealer |
| Real Money Play | Sports bets & land-based casinos only | Full real-money casino available |
| Tax Reporting | Gambling winnings reported; 15% operator tax | No Virginia tax reporting |
| Player Protection | Self-exclusion, age verification, deposit limits | Varies; no Virginia oversight |
| Location Requirement | Must be physically in Virginia (geo-verified) | Accessible from anywhere |
Legal platforms in the state are regulated by the state lottery board. The offshore ones are regulated not in Virginia and most probably not in the United States, but in other jurisdictions. West Virginia, by contrast, has already passed iGaming legislation, offering a model Virginia could follow.
Legal online platforms offer sports wagering, horse races, daily fantasy sports and prohibit youth sports and online casinos. This is unlike offshore sites that offer casino-style games, including video poker, slots, live dealer games and table games like blackjack and craps.
Virginia is one of the states with an unregulated market, especially as it pertains to online casinos. Billions of dollars in annual revenue flow into the pockets of sportsbook operators and offshore casino operators.
According to the iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA), legal iGaming could generate nearly $1 billion in new tax revenue for Virginia over five years, while providing consumer protections that offshore sites cannot offer.
As such, the few platforms legally operating in the state report their winnings, at the expense of many unreported incomes from illegal operators.
Real money wagers are obtainable at sports wagering sites and land-based casinos. The online sites don’t offer such.
Therefore, residents are either limited to the few available options or throw their hat into the ring and seek out other websites where they can play for real money.
Offshore platforms allow users to connect from anywhere, even with a smartphone. Except for online legal sportsbooks in Virginia, residents need to be physically present at the locations to wager.
You already know that the floor is open to accept wagers from residents from the age of twenty-one upwards. What are other applicable laws that promote responsible play?
Lotteries are legal in Virginia, but while it’s accepted, parents and guardians must be careful not to misuse the opportunity. The state lottery board encourages responsible gifting in these ways:
Residents who participate in lotteries and other forms of accepted options must do the following:
The scope of problem gambling in the U.S. is significant. According to testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee by the National Council on Problem Gambling, the national annual social cost of problem gambling is approximately $14 billion. The NCPG estimates that 9 million American adults suffer from addiction, and currently no federal funds are designated for treatment or research.
“A pro [of legalizing iGaming] would be moving players out of the illegal online gaming market; a con would be that research shows there is a higher risk of gambling problems in iGaming.”
– Keith Whyte, Founder & President, Safer Gambling Strategies LLC; former Executive Director of NCPG (1998–2026). Testimony before Virginia Joint Subcommittee, 2026. (Source)
The state regulator has a handful of resources to guide players through the phase of beating addiction. These include:
Residents are also asked to be mindful of when play begins to interfere with their daily activities, for it might spiral into affecting their work life and relationships if not managed. For more casino-style entertainment, explore our free slots games.
Senate Bill 827 (SB 827) was stalled, putting up the question of whether the market will be extended to online casinos.
Since then, progress has accelerated. In the 2026 Virginia legislative session, two separate iGaming bills advanced significantly. According to legislative tracking reports, SB 118 passed the Virginia Senate after reconsideration (initially failing 19–20, then advancing when three “No” votes abstained), and House Bill 161 passed the House of Delegates 67–30 on reconsideration after initially failing 46–49. However, the House and Senate could not reconcile their bill versions before the session ended on March 14, 2026.
The tabulation in the early months of 2026 was to see the swift application of the laws to help kick-start the process of issuing licenses to online casino operators. If it had passed, the bill proposed a September 2026 deadline for the launch of operations and the empowerment of the state regulator to regulate the market.
Now, the outlook is for the 2026 legislative year. If passed, Senate Bill 827 proposes a direct enlistment of the four licensed casino operators to start offering online casino Virginia services too. These operators are Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Caesars Virginia, Hard Rock Bristol and Golden Eagle Corporation.
The future of online casinos in the state is also subject to taxation, as proposed in SB 827. Operators are required to pay a 15% tax on annual gross revenue.
“Lawmakers can either regulate online gaming responsibly, or continue allowing illegal operators to profit with no oversight and no accountability.”
– iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA), representing online casino industry stakeholders (February 2026)
One key development to watch: Governor Abigail Spanberger has advocated for establishing a Virginia Gaming Commission before further expansion. According to iGaming Business, Virginia Public Radio reported that creating this new regulatory agency could be a top priority during future sessions, as the current lottery board is considered overburdened with existing oversight responsibilities for lottery, sports wagering, and casino operations.
Contact: 1-800-662-HELP
Contact: Refer to the website for local numbers.
National Council on Problem Gambling
Contact: 1-800-522-4700
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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