Virginia

Sports Betting in Virginia

Virginia is a fairly typical state in terms of gambling offerings with one interesting exception. They have the ubiquitous lottery and allow charitable bingo games and raffles. The interesting exception is parimutuel wagering including off track wagering as well as advance deposit wagering via online providers such as TVG.

Actually, the glory days of parimutuel wagering in Virginia came to an end several years ago. The only horse racing facility in the state, Colonial Downs, closed in 2014 and took with it most of the OTB facilities in Virginia. The track was purchased in Spring 2018 and the goal now is to resume live racing in 2019. Along with that they’re planning to create a network of off track betting facilities throughout the state. They’re also going to have a large gaming facility with ‘historical racing’ machines and hope to add the devices at their OTB locations. To date, there has been no discussion of sports betting in Virginia though in theory it could be a viable option for Colonial Downs and the OTB locations.

The Virginia Lottery began in 1987 and continues strong to this day. It offers a pedestrian selection of draw games including Powerball and Mega Millions along with the usual instant scratch off games.

Sports Betting in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a tough town for bettors. They have the Virginia Lottery which began in 1987 and continues strong to this day. It offers a pedestrian selection of draw games including Powerball and Mega Millions along with the usual instant scratch off games. There’s also parimutuel wagering via online providers such as TVG. There are hopes that the new owners of Colonial Downs can revive the horse racing industry both for live racing and off track betting. They currently plan to resume live racing in 2019 but the details remain to be seen. To date, there has been no discussion of sports betting in Virginia though in theory it could be a viable option for Colonial Downs and the OTB locations.

Otherwise, if you’re in Virginia Beach and want to gamble you’ll need to drive. It’s a four hour drive to Ranson, West Virgina where Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Racing offers an assortment of gambling options including sports betting. The closest casino of any type is the Ocean Downs Casino on the Maryland shore which offers slots and simulcast wagering. Beyond that, it’s 3 hours and 15 minutes to Delaware’s Harrington Raceway and Casino and 3 hours and 45 minutes to Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. Both offer table games, slots and most recently sports betting. If you’re really up for a drive six hours on the road will put you in Atlantic City. Everything to the South of Virginia Beach is a ‘no man’s land’ for gamblers.