Is crypto sports betting legal in Virginia?

What's legal

Virginia's first sportsbook went live on January 21, 2021. The Virginia Lottery issues the permits, and state law caps them at 12. Its page lists ten licensed operators: Bally Bet, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, theScore Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet and BetRivers.

You must be 21 or older under section 58.1-4040 of the Virginia Code, and you must be physically in Virginia to bet. Bets on Virginia college teams are banned, so a missing market is normal and does not mean a book is fake. The Lottery also runs a Voluntary Exclusion Program for bettors who want to be blocked.

Crypto and offshore sites

Only the ten operators on the Lottery's list may take Virginia bets, and none of them is a crypto sportsbook. A crypto site that is not on the list holds no Virginia permit. Check a licensed book's own payment page for what it accepts.

To report an illegal gambling site, the Lottery points you to the State Police: text VSPGaming to 847477 or file a tip online. Offshore sites sometimes claim Virginia is open because the state has a regulated market. That market covers only the permit holders, and the Lottery's complaint and exclusion tools do not reach anyone else.

What's changing

Two 2026 bills, HB 161 and SB 118, would have authorized online casino games under the Virginia Lottery Board. Each passed its own chamber, but both failed to clear conference on March 14, 2026. Neither bill changed sports betting.

Tax note

Virginia taxes gambling winnings as income at its graduated rates. The Department of Taxation has ruled that gambling winnings generally do not qualify for the credit for tax paid to another state, so winnings from a trip to a casino elsewhere can be taxed twice.

Federal tax applies at your ordinary rate, and large payouts can bring a W-2G. Keep records of wins and losses. The Woyale tax guides explain how losses work, and a tax professional can address your Virginia return.

Common questions