Top Sportsbook Apps
Sports betting has arrived in Virginia! FanDuel Sportsbook opened its virtual doors for business in January 2021.
As we welcome legalized online sports betting in Virginia, the time is right to take a look at what we have on tap. We are able to place bets on all of the major games and events, including on local favorites such as the Washington Football Team.
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- Virginia sports betting apps for March 2021. Virginia sports betting apps make the dream of having a legal sportsbook at your fingertips a reality. The platforms from industry leaders are top-notch and simple to use, and they’re offering up some fantastic bonuses for new players to take advantage of.
- On top of having to download an app and registering, you have to visit a sportsbook’s casino partner to complete the registration. This mechanic was baked into the Iowa sports betting law. That all changed in early 2021.
- Indiana offers ten, including top-tier choices like BetMGM, Unibet, and Caesars Sportsbook. Iowa offers seven and also boasts BetMGM, which has an app quality that’s on par with DraftKings.
We can’t place wagers on any in-state college programs, but we have a green light for the rest of the college basketball and football games on the docket. All of the bet types we could ask for are available, making it really easy to get in the game.
We’ll be covering everything you need to know right here, including bonus offers and the top features you have to look forward to. Let’s get to it.
Best Sportsbook Apps
Online sports betting is live in VA
ALSO READ:
Is Virginia sports betting legal?
Yes. Sports betting launched on January 21, 2021 after becoming legal in July 2020, courtesy of the passage of HB 896 and SB 384 by the state legislature earlier in the year and the subsequent signing of the legislation into law by Gov. Ralph Northam. The law is the result of multiple years of deliberation in the normally conservative state.
These are the relevant launch dates for online sports betting:
VA Sportsbook | Bonus | Status |
---|---|---|
FanDuel Sportsbook | $1,000 | Launched as of January 21, 2021 |
DraftKings Sportsbook | $1,000 | Launched as of January 26, 2021 |
BetMGM Sportsbook | $600 | Launched as of January 26, 2021 |
BetRivers Sportsbook | $250 | Launched as of January 27, 2021 |
William Hill | $500 | Launched as of February 2, 2021 |
Virginia sports betting apps for March 2021
Virginia sports betting apps make the dream of having a legal sportsbook at your fingertips a reality. The platforms from industry leaders are top-notch and simple to use, and they’re offering up some fantastic bonuses for new players to take advantage of. We’ll cover everything you need to know about downloading and using the apps in a bit. For now, let’s take a closer look at the top options you’ll have available.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has also quickly become a go-to spot in a number of states. The visually appealing and user-friendly interface has a lot to do with that, as does its recent focus on innovative offerings such as single-game parlays.
Fanduel was the first app to go live in Virginia.
DraftKings Sportsbook
It’s pretty easy to see why the DraftKings online betting app has raced to the top of the charts in all markets entered to date. The platform is super slick and filled with bells and whistles. Among the top highlights is an outstanding live betting feature.
BetMGM Sportsbook
The well-known MGM brand from the casino world is also becoming a major player in online and mobile sports betting. BetMGM sports betting app offers a range of sports, competitive odds and regular promotions for users to take advantage of. BetMGM Virginia is live!
BetRivers Sportsbook
A member of the Rush Street family, BetRivers continues to grow its presence across legal sports betting states. Among the top benefits is an ongoing rewards program that lets bettors accrue points just for wagering. The BetRivers sports app also went live Jan. 2021.
William Hill Sportsbook
A major name on the international gambling scene, William Hill’s presence continues to grow here in the US. The platform isn’t quite as flashy as its competitors, but it’s still a great spot to jump in and get down to business. The William Hill VA app launched in Feb. 2021 .
PointsBet Sportsbook
This Australia-based operator has made tremendous strides since entering the US market in January 2019. PointsBet is bettor-focused, and that shows in its promo offerings that include reduced juice and odds boosts. PointsBet is not live yet in Virginia.
Sportsbook bonuses and free bet offers
When getting set to play at a new sportsbook, be sure to take a pause and ask yourself a simple question: What’s in it for me? It’s a competitive world out there, so Virginia sports betting operators are constantly offering deals to new players. Here’s some of what you’ll see.
- Free bets: Some books will give you free funds in the form of site credits that you can use to place bets. Any winnings are yours to keep.
- Deposit match: Certain operators will match your first deposit up to a set amount, sometimes by as much as 100%.
- Risk free bets: A few books will allow you to place your first bet in risk-free fashion after making a deposit. If it loses, you’ll be refunded the bet amount in site credit.
Sign-up offers provide a great way to try out new sites while also potentially building up your bank roll. Sportsbooks are happy to pay for your business in today’s competitive environment, so be sure to take advantage.
How to start online sports betting in Virginia
Once you decide where you want to play, you can be up and running quickly and easily. The best place to start is by clicking on our exclusive links. This will ensure that you’re getting the best possible bonus offer from that operator.
After you do that, you’ll arrive at the main sign-up page. You’ll be prompted to enter some basic details — think name, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, etc. — and will then have to check off a few boxes. Once you click submit, your account will be set.
Next, be sure to download the VA sports betting app for your device from the sportsbook website. Log in on mobile for the first time and you’ll be good to go there, too. After just a few minutes from start to finish, you’ll have access to legal sports betting both online and via app.
Once you’re completely up and running, take some time to look around and get the lay of the land. Here are a few of the areas you’ll want to check out.
- Sports available for betting.
- How the bet slip works.
- The area to deposit and withdraw funds.
- How to get help and contact support.
The good news is that the leading sports betting operators invest heavily on the tech side. That means that both the sites and apps are generally easy to navigate. You should be able to find what you’re looking for quickly.
After you get a handle on the basics, you can dive in and get ready to place some bets. This is a simple process, as you just need to click on your choices to have them added to the betting slip. From there, plug in your bet amount, review the wager and click submit.
VA sportsbook pricing and lines
The best sports betting lines are no longer the sole domain of Las Vegas. While it was like that for decades, the new legal landscape has been a game-changer. Leading operators across the legal states are offering odds that are on point.
Here in Virginia, it’ll be more of the same. You can still take the time to see what the oddsmakers out in Sin City have to say about a game or event, but know that you’ll find comparable lines here at home.
On the operator front, competition helps to breed efficiency in betting markets. You won’t find the exact same numbers at every sportsbook in Virginia, so you should always take the time to shop around for the best prices.
VA sports teams to bet on
While no teams from any of the major sports leagues make their home in VA, many residents have adopted clubs from the DC metro area as local favorites. For each of them, you’ll be able to bet on the individual game outcomes, place some props and live bets, and even check out the futures market for season-long wagers.
- NFL: Washington Football Team
- NBA: Washington Wizards
- MLB: Washington Nationals
- NHL: Washington Capitals
- MLS: DC United
Of course, you can bet on any squad you choose for each of the above sports. It’s a different story with college. For college football and basketball, you can’t bet on any in-state teams. However, betting on all other Division I programs in both sports is perfectly fine.
Beyond the pro and college team sports, you’ll find a whole host of options to consider. The most popular of the other sports will also attract tons of betting volume, while others fall into the niche category and see much less action.
- Tennis
- NASCAR
- UFC
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Darts
- Handball
- MMA
- Rugby
- Snooker
- Table tennis
- Volleyball
Please note that not all of the above will be available at every VA sports betting site, but each of the individual sportsbooks will have a solid overall selection. In short, you won’t be lacking for things to bet on here in VA.
Futures and prop betting in Virginia
Your betting action doesn’t have to be limited to the outcome of individual games and events. There are several other ways to get in on the fun, including with futures and props. Futures are long-term wagers, while props are ways to get some side action in.
A futures bet is a wager on something that won’t be decided until a later date. Many of the most popular markets revolve around league championships or the winners of top individual events, such as:
- College Football Playoff
- Golf majors — Masters, etc.
- Tennis Grand Slams — Wimbledon, etc.
- NASCAR Daytona 500
There are also futures for individual team performances, such as regular season win totals and the winners of conferences and divisions. Odds for futures come out in the offseason. Bettors stay engaged throughout the year, and the numbers will move in response to betting action.
The general gist is to find the selections you want at the best prices, so shopping around to compare numbers is always a good idea. If you make the right call on futures bets, you could be in for a nice score when the wager is settled.
Keep in mind that settlement doesn’t happen until the outcome is known. A futures bet requires a long-term perspective, so budget accordingly. For props, you’ll find some of the season-long variety.
Bets in this category include the NFL passing yards leader, or on the MLB player who will hit the most homers. Props are also available on individual games. Some revolve around team performance or the game as a whole, while many are based on player accomplishments.
- How many yards will Alex Smith throw for — over/under 269.5?
- Will Alex Ovechkin score a goal in the game — yes/no?
- Which pitcher will have more strikeouts — Max Scherzer or Jacob deGrom?
There’s a dedicated section for the futures market under the tabs for each of the individual sports at online sportsbooks. For props, clicking through on the individual game listings will bring you to a page with the available offerings.
Live betting in Virginia
Live betting is a segment of the sports betting industry that has gained a great deal of traction in recent times. Also known as in game betting, live betting opens the doors to placing wagers as the action plays out in real time.
The market moves really fast, but staying on top of things is easy with a VA sports betting app from DraftKings or FanDuel. Offerings will vary based on what’s going on, but you’ll see things like updated game lines and prop betting opportunities.
- What will be the result of this next drive for Washington — TD/FG/TO/punt?
- Which side will score three runs first — Nationals or Braves?
- Which team will hold the lead at halftime — Wizards or Hornets?
When you log in to the VA sports betting app of your choice, you should see a dedicated section for live betting. Once you click on that, the lobby will be populated with current and upcoming offerings. Live betting is a great way to stay engaged with the games and potentially turn a profit, but remember to always bet within your comfort level.
How online sports betting works in Virginia
You can get started with betting on sports in VA at any time. You can register online or via app with legal and regulated operators. You’ll need to enter just a few simple pieces of information, including:
- Name
- Address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
In order to play, users have to be 21 or older and located within state lines. Your age will be verified as part of the sign-up process. If the operator has any trouble doing so, you’ll likely need to provide documentation.
While there’s not an in-state residency requirement, users need to be in Virginia to actually place bets. To verify that you are, sites use what’s known as geolocation tracking. You can manage your account elsewhere — deposit funds, check lines, etc. — but in order to place bets, you must physically be in VA.
What’s legal and illegal to bet on in VA
You can bet on all of the major sports in Virginia, as well as a whole host of others that are on a smaller scale. While there’s plenty to choose from, there are some restrictions to keep in mind.
- No betting on collegiate games involving VA-based teams.
- Live betting and player props are prohibited for college sports
- Bets are allowed on sporting events only, so you can’t bet on things like elections.
The restriction on non-sports wagering is not exclusive to Virginia. Many other states have adopted the same policy, while wagering on elections is prohibited across the US. College rules have been handled on a state-by-state basis, and we have seen plenty of variance.
Virginia law is one of the more restrictive in that you can’t place bets on in-state teams. New Jersey sportsbooks also implemented such a policy, while Pennsylvania sportsbooks has no such restrictions in place. While you can’t bet on the in-state programs, you can wager on other college basketball and football contests without issue.
How sports betting licensing works in VA
There are high expectations for the Virginia online sports betting market. Operators who are approved and vetted by the Virginia Lottery are on the hook for $250,000 for a three-year license as well as a 15% revenue tax in order to set up shop.
As part of the legalization process, there was plenty of back and forth on where the tax dollars would be allocated. That has all been squared away now that the bill is signed into law. Here’s the breakdown.
- The state gets 95%.
- The Virginia Lottery Board gets 5% for overseeing the industry.
- The final 5% is dedicated to a problem gambling and support fund that is slated to be overseen by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
Legal sports betting has been a hit in all of the new markets across the US. We can expect more of the same in VA. That’s great news for those who have been patiently waiting to legally and safely place their wagers at home, as well as for the state’s tax coffers.
Where to bet on sports in Virginia
There are no brick-and-mortar casinos in Virginia, but that could change in the future. As the sports betting legalization drama was playing out, a green light was given for physical casinos in the following cities:
- Bristol
- Danville
- Norfolk
- Portsmouth
Additionally, Richmond is still set to vote on whether to allow a casino there. If and when the prospective casinos actually open their doors, we can expect retail sportsbooks to be included among the on-site offerings. Interestingly, the following leagues have also been permitted to submit licenses for potential sportsbooks in any future construction projects in VA:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- MLS
While there are no pro teams in VA at this time for any of these leagues, the area is often mentioned as a potential spot for relocation or expansion. For now, we’ll consider this an intriguing tidbit to keep a close eye on.
Last but not least, the two operating racetracks in VA also have the opportunity to have their own sportsbook or to partner up with an existing operator. For a retail option that could open up quickly, this is the spot to watch. Here are the details on the two tracks.
Martinsville Speedway
- Address: 340 Speedway Road, Ridgeway, VA
- Tickets: 877-RACE-TIX
Richmond Raceway
- Address: 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA
- Tickets: 866-455-RACE
New York is one of those states that is maddening in the sports betting industry because it represents so much untapped potential. That’s because the current legal framework severely limits the market’s performance.
Sports betting is legal in the Empire State, but only at commercial and tribal casinos’ retail sportsbooks.
While legislators have made attempts to include mobile betting, so far, none of them have made a significant amount of progress.
However, New Yorkers are not doomed to make a trip to a casino every time they want to place a bet. Two bordering states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have legal online sportsbooks active. They are more than happy to accept wagers from NY residents.
Most of New York’s population lives closer to the New Jersey border than the border with Pennsylvania, so let’s focus on popular sports betting apps in the Garden State. The good news is that for all these sportsbooks, you can register for an account and deposit online from your New York home. You do have to cross the state line, however, to actually place your bets.
Top betting apps out of NJ
While there are many betting apps to choose from in New Jersey, we suggest these as your best sportsbook options:
Download sports betting apps in NY and bet in NJ
Honestly, the most complicated part of betting on an NJ online sportsbook is just getting to New Jersey. The rest of the process is very simple and only takes a few steps:
- Look around to find the best NJ betting app for you: You can certainly use the browser on your computer to bet, but given you will be heading over to NJ to bet, most people choose to download an app to easily bet on your phone. With almost 20 sports betting apps to choose from, it is worth taking time to do your research and read some app reviews before diving in. There is no de facto best app. Finding the best sportsbook app for you is about looking for what betting markets an app offers, what the rewards program is like, what kind of deposit and no-deposit bonuses are available, and the promos that best suit what you like to bet on.
- Download an app (or apps, even): You can download a mobile betting app without leaving your New York couch, but let us help you navigate where on your phone to find them. If you want to bet on your iPhone, you can navigate to the website of the sportsbook of your choice and download the app there or you can find it in the Apple App Store. You want to be careful though because some apps, like BetMGM, have specific versions for each state, so you want to be sure to pick the New Jersey app.
- Create an account: We’ve all opened a million online accounts, we know what they generally entail. In order to bet on a sportsbook app, you’ll need to provide your name, address, birthday, phone, number, and email. What is different from the standard account is that you will need to provide a partial Social Security number. All regulated sportsbooks are required to use this to verify your age and identity, making sure you are who you say you are and you are at least 21 years old.
- Deposit: You can get money on your new sportsbook account in several different ways and don’t need to leave NY to do so. Most sports betting apps offer several deposit methods like Paypal, ACH transfer, Play+ prepaid card, and some credit cards. If you have trouble getting your card to deposit, most bettors find that Paypal or another e-wallet is the easiest way to fund an account.
- Get to NJ and in on the action: You can easily browse betting lines in New York even though you can’t get on them. That is useful for getting a sense of where a line is at, but be advised that betting odds change and move all the time, so there is no guarantee that line will still be there once you get to the Jersey side of the state line. Also, sometimes geolocation will be a little finicky, so make sure you are amply over the border when you bet.
While New Jersey certainly doesn’t lack in choices for bettors, not all sportsbooks are equal. Some are superior to others in terms of the variety and volume of markets available, the number and quality of promotions, and the level of customer service.
Top 5 sports betting apps for New York bettors
Five such sportsbooks stand out from the rest on these points along with their accessibility and convenience in the Garden State. Those books are:
BetMGM
Best Sportsbook
BetMGM was one of the first sports betting apps in New Jersey and hasn’t looked back since. One of the best parts about the app is that sports bettors can accrue points for the VIP Rewards program.
While other sportsbook apps offer rewards like free bets, you can use the points you earn betting on sports on the BetMGM app for offline perks like discounted hotel rooms at MGM properties around the country. On top of that, you’ll find competitive odds and promos within the sportsbook component.
If you’re going to be in New Jersey for longer than it takes to get your bets down, you can also access BetMGM’s suite of online casino products. You can earn rewards there, as well.
DraftKings Sportsbook
In New Jersey, the first is certainly far from the worst. DraftKings was the first sportsbook to get its app up and running in the Garden State, doing so just a few months after the US Supreme Court cleared the way in 2018.
Since then, DraftKings has consistently been the market share winner, claiming more handle than any other NJ sportsbook month after month. It’s not difficult to understand why.
On top of having a ready-made customer base through its daily fantasy sports contests, DraftKings has been one of the most aggressive companies in marketing its products in the country. That includes attractive and frequent promotions.
The app is easy to use and has all the betting markets a sports fan could want.
FanDuel Sportsbook
Since launching in September 2018, just a month after DraftKings went online with its offering, FanDuel Sportsbook has also enjoyed converting its DFS customers to sports bettors in the Garden State. Its retail component in New Jersey, at Meadowlands Racetrack, often ranks at the top of that heap. It is one of the most popular online betting options, as well.
FanDuel is also very aggressive in terms of marketing itself. It’s easy to take advantage of the offers within the app, as well as navigate the markets.
The sportsbook also offers a rewards program and access to online casino products. Perhaps the best part, however, is the promotions that the company offers on a frequent basis.
PointsBet
Have you ever gotten a sports bet right by a wide margin and wished you could be rewarded for being so correct? PointsBet may be just the app for you.
While PointsBet offers all the markets you’d expect via its betting app, you aren’t limited to just the standard options. You can place a point spread or totals bet, and the greater the margin your bet is correct by, the more you stand to win. Of course, should this bet be wrong, the more wrong it is, the more you stand to lose. The company calls this option “Points Betting.”
The company also offers rewards and promotions on a regular basis. The app is easy to navigate and integrates its partnerships with high-profile former athletes in its branding.
Despite being in New Jersey since December 2018, PointsBet is one of the newest brands in the US gambling market. The last company on the list is at the opposite end of that spectrum.
William Hill
In terms of global sports betting, William Hill could be considered one of the OGs. In the same way, William Hill was one of the first to market in New Jersey, rolling out the NJ sports betting app in 2018.
It’s used all its experience to establish a foothold in the Garden State. The app’s competitive odds, frequent promotions, volume of markets and successful user interface also haven’t hurt.
If reputation as a trusted sportsbook is of importance to you, there’s no reason to look any further than William Hill. It has the action to keep you engaged regularly.
Now that you’re aware of which sportsbooks to try in NJ, the next pertinent matter is discovering whether you’re eligible to place bets in New Jersey. Fortunately, most bettors will qualify.
Top Sportsbook Apps
New York sports betting app options
If you’re looking to cross the NY/NJ border to place some bets, you’ll obviously need to know which sports betting apps are available in New Jersey and what types of wagers you can place. Each NJ sportsbook will feature the basic sports betting markets you’d expect to find:
- Futures
- Live or in game
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Props
- Totals
As the most robust market in the US in terms of variety of online sportsbooks, New Jersey boasts 19 online sportsbooks right now. Those sportsbooks are:
- 888 Sport
- Bet365
- BetAmerica
- BetMGM Sports
- Borgata Sports
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- FOX Bet
- Golden Nugget Sportsbook
- Hard Rock
- PointsBet
- Resorts
- SugarHouse
- theScore
- Tipico
- Unibet
- William Hill
- Wynn Sports
Who can use NJ sports betting apps?
For the most part, you can legally place bets in New Jersey if you meet the following qualifications:
- At least 21 years of age.
- Not on any gambling self-exclusion lists.
- Physically located within the borders of NJ when you place your wager.
However, as previously mentioned, you can register for new accounts for NJ sports betting apps, make deposits and cash out your winnings from anywhere. The only thing you can’t do on a New Jersey sports betting app while in New York is actually place bets.
The process of getting started with sports betting online in New Jersey is simple, though it does vary somewhat based on what operating system your phone uses.
How to place bets on Apple devices
If you want to use your iPad or iPhone to place a bet in New Jersey, you can do so in a matter of minutes. Just open the App Store on your device and search for the sportsbook(s) you want to use.
Some of the sportsbooks, like BetMGM and William Hill, have apps specific to New Jersey. Make sure you’re downloading the correct app for use in the Garden State.
After you download the app, it will walk you through the process of registering an account. You will need to provide the following information for it to verify your eligibility:
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
- Legal name
- Mailing address
After you’ve registered, you need to add funds to your account in order to wager. Most sportsbooks accept a variety of payment forms, so one should work for you. These are the options typically available at NJ online sportsbooks:
- PayPal
- Credit/debit card
- Bank transfer
- Play+ prepaid card
- Skrill
- Wire
- E-check/ACH
How to place bets on Android devices
The process with Android devices has one main difference in terms of getting started. If you open up the Google Play marketplace and search for an app related to your sportsbook of choice, you’ll come up empty.
That’s because Google doesn’t permit gambling apps on its store. That doesn’t mean there are no Android apps for NJ sportsbooks, however.
It just means you need to get the apps direct from the source. Visit the sportsbook website using a mobile browser. The website should detect that you’re on a mobile device running on the Android operating system.
You’ll have to enable app downloads from third parties on your device, but otherwise, it’s a simple process to install these apps. From there, the registration process is easy and the app will walk you through it.
When the registration process is complete, pay attention to your email and push notifications. Most sports betting apps offer their best promotions to first-time depositors. Don’t give up free money by missing out on those promos.
You might be asking, “If I can do everything but actually place a wager in New York, why do I need to be in New Jersey to make my bets? How does the sportsbook know where I am?” The answers are really not that complicated.
How NJ sportsbooks determine your location
Federal law makes it illegal to wager on sporting events across state lines. That’s why NJ sportsbooks can only take bets from within the state.
To ensure compliance, sportsbooks in New Jersey use a variety of methods. For one thing, they utilize the geolocation technology on your device to locate you when you’re placing a wager.
Sports betting companies contract with the best geolocation services providers out there. With that powerful software, they can locate you to within a few feet.
If the apps aren’t able to verify your location, they won’t allow you to place bets. So, in order to facilitate that process, make sure they have access to your location and you’re firmly across the New Jersey border when you want to place your bets.
Until the law changes in New York, this is the best option for residents to place legal bets online. New Jersey sportsbooks do their best to make it worth your effort to cross the state line.