ZenSports is a P2P sports betting app and marketplace, create and accept sports bets with anyone else in the world, without the need for a centralized bookmaker. Bet & Win Today!

Enhance your Exchange experience by using Apps. Whether it’s a trading app providing advanced cash-out functionality, automating your betting strategy or finding a mobile App for your smartphone so you can access Betfair on the move – you’ll find what you need here. Bet365, the world’s favourite online sports betting company, brings you our most advanced sports betting app for the iPhone and iPad. Bet on a wide range of In-Play and pre-match sports including Football, Soccer, Champions League, Horse Racing including the Cheltenham Festival and Tennis. New Jersey: NJ online sports betting went live in 2018 and paved the way for other states to legalize and regulate mobile betting apps. The first sports betting app to go live in this state was DraftKings, followed by FanDuel. Oregon: Oregon online sports betting started in 2019, with the launch of the Scoreboard sports betting app. Advantages of Betting Apps. 24/7 access to betting. This is the biggest advantage betting apps have compared with other ways to bet. Having a betting app installed on your phone means you never need to miss an opportunity to bet – you can bet whenever and wherever you want. Speed and convenience. Not only are apps available at all times, they.

During a time of unprecedented growth and development in mobile technology, it is rare not to have a tablet or smartphone. This growth has led to a substantial number of mobile applications being developed and released to the market. They unleash a level of freedom not seen in the past, which has led to the developing of apps targeting specific areas of interest such as health, beauty, educational, communicative, logistical and gaming.

1xbet
Apps
€130
100%
18+ T&C apply begambleaware.org gamstop.co.uk Play Responsibly
Bet365
-
-
Open Account OfferUp to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365.Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code BBCODE can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way. +18 Terms & Conditions #ad
Betway
£10
100%
New customers only. Min Deposit: £10. First deposit matched up to £10. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Terms apply begambleaware.org gamstop.co.uk
William Hill
£30
-
New customers using Promo Code P30 only, min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15 (30 days expiry), free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. 18+ T&C apply begambleaware.org g
18+ T&C apply begambleaware.org gamstop.co.uk Play Responsibly
Betfair
€100
-
New customer offer. Place 5 x €10 or more bets to receive €20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum €100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
BetVictor
£30
100%
New Customers only. Deposit, opt in and place a £5 qualifying bet at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of opening a new account; excludes cashed out bets. Receive 2x £10 Free Sports Bets, valid on set events only at odds 2.00 or greater, expires in 7 days. Plus a £10 Game Show Bonus, selected games, wager 40x to withdraw a max of £250. PayPal and Card Payments on
Betfred
£30
-
New UK & NI customers only. Promo code SPORTS60. Deposit and place first sports bet of £10+ in one transaction, at odds of Evens (2.0)+, settled within 60 days. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets credited within 48 hours of bet settlement. 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS validation may be required. Max 60 Free Spins on Justice League Comics. 7-day expiry.
PowerPlay
$100
100%
18+ T&C apply begambleaware.org gamstop.co.uk Play Responsibly

One such business acutely aware of the trend towards app development is online bookmakers and casinos. Considering the varied interests of this segment in the industry caters to, game-specific apps are a forgone conclusion. The freedom to download and install betting apps is a luxury most bettors find convenient. They allow users to effortlessly place bets on the go by accessing the app at any time, regardless of their geo-location.

However, while hundreds of betting apps are available, it is important to understand that not all apps are created equally. Taking this into consideration, it is imperative to download the best betting apps if you want to increase the flexibility apps deliver. Moreover, consideration needs to be applied to the type of app and what it delivers in terms of accessibility. This is even more so important if sports-related as the type of features offered plays a critical role in user satisfaction.

To assist you in the pursuit of downloading the best betting apps, we have compiled an extensive amount of information relating to the different type of apps betting apps available. This includes related information for Android and iOS apps, the type of apps you can find with bookmakers, and Google Play or the App Store.

Android Betting Apps

While many bookmakers offer direct links to their mobile apps, one of the most efficient ways to download directly via the sportsbook in question. This is the safest route to find an app, and more so, there are no additional costs required to download and install it on your mobile device. This eliminates any risk of downloading an app from an unreliable source, and likewise, it removes the threat of unwanted viruses.

The only relevance in terms of an app’s availability is your geographical location. Due to the nature of betting apps, some are not available in all countries. The reasoning for this is related to licensing restrictions and the jurisdictions betting apps are permitted to be offered within.

Otherwise, downloading am Android betting app is a smooth, uncomplicated experience that takes less than a few minutes.

iPhone betting Apps

iOS mobile apps share a commonality with their Android counterparts as both are easy to download and install on your mobile device. The main difference for iOS apps is unlike Android apps; iOS apps are available via the App Store.

Choosing the Apps Store for your iOS downloads is the smartest route to go as this guarantees the app has been verified to be safe. Moreover, it ensures that when uploaded to the App Store, it was confirmed that it came from a reliable and trusted source.

Considering the nature of betting apps, the best option to do your research and only download apps from the list of bookmakers we have provided. Each bookmaker we include links for has been thoroughly tested to ensure compliance with all legal responsibilities. By choosing this option, you can quickly download the app to your iOS device and bypass the added steps of visiting the App Store.

However, if you prefer using the App Store when downloading an app, you can relax knowing bookmaker apps offer the same flexibility and ease of download as you are accustomed to experiencing. Moreover, all it takes is entering the name of the bookmaker in the search function, whereupon you can then proceed to download the app.

Casino Apps

The introduction and development of casino apps continue to offer users a level of flexibility few other betting apps deliver. With so many variables at play, they are custom designed to meet the unique variety of games they offer. Due to this, apps are purposely designed to offer a user-friendly and player intuitive interface that provides access to multiple game types under one roof.

Optimised for mobile devices, Android and iOS casino apps feature slots, poker, table games, live casino, scratch cards and various other casino games. Most recently, casino apps have seen live casinos being added to the growing list of game availability. This delivers an unprecedented level of entertainment options that, like their sportsbook counterparts, are easy to download and install to your iOS or Android mobile device.

Like other betting apps, casino apps are often available directly via the casino, or depending on your country, through their respective app stores.

Poker Apps

One of the unique qualities of poker apps is that they offer a specific type of betting service that bookmaker and casino apps most often are unable to deliver. Anyone who loves the game will appreciate the chance to access their favourite poker games via a mobile app. Regardless of whether your interest steers you towards SIT & GOs, tournaments or cash tables, poker apps deliver uninterrupted access.

Just like other betting apps, downloading and installing poker apps is a simple procedure. Also similar is their availability through the app stores or directly via the source. However, with a limited number of reliable poker apps available, we highly recommend you select an app from one of the power rooms we have tested. This will ensure you download an app that offers not only a reliable interface but one that is capable of delivering a high-quality poker platform.

Android Apps

One of the main issues relating to Android betting apps is Google Play’s decision to exclude real money betting apps. As a result, if wanting to download an android betting app to your smartphone or tablet, your only option is to do so directly via the bookmaker or casino. While generally, this is not unsafe, it makes it more difficult to know which bookmaker and casino apps offer the quality in terms of app design.

On the plus side, the bookmakers we have promoted are proven to offer a reliable app without any unwanted software that could cause harm or monitor your activities. The good news is locating an app is generally an easily accomplished tasked as most bookmakers will alert you to their availability.

When downloading an app, you will receive a notification asking you to confirm your acceptance of the apk file. Thereafter, the process is streamlined and requires confirmation of installation, whereupon the app is available for use.

If you’re an avid sports punter, you can appreciate the selection of sports betting apps available online is quite diverse. Therefore, it is important to understand the unique qualities of each respective betting app. As you can imagine, this includes sports, horse, golf, cricket, UFC and NFL betting apps, to name a few.

If you plan on using a mobile betting app, the first step is to determine what type of app you want to download. While most bookmakers include a broad selection of sports markets under one platform, some are designed exclusively for specific sport types. This is most predominant when it comes to horse betting and cricket betting apps.

Resultant of that, we have included a brief explanation about the differing apps that are available for download. Moreover, as you read through our explanations, you will find these are followed by a list of respected bookmakers offering sports apps, amongst others. That said, let’s look more closely at what options are available.

  • Sports betting app
    Sports betting apps offer a wide selection of options for wagering on sports, and similarly, the various leagues that are associated with their specific sport types. This type of app allows you to place real money wagers on your favourite sports events and provides extensive betting options in a variety of different odds formats.
  • Horse betting apps
    Horse betting apps are similar to sports betting apps is their design qualities. However, they only cater to horse racing and invariably do not include other betting options. Generally, most horse racing apps focus on the U.K and Ireland markets due to the popularity of this betting style. Unlike sports betting apps, those exclusively offering horse racing have reduced betting options, although they include options relating to how odd they are viewed.
  • Golf betting apps
    It is not common to find betting apps dedicated to the sport of golf, and more often than not, those wishing to place bets on golf will need to download a sports betting app. The plus side to this is, while it may be inconvenient if your only interest is in wagering on golf, there are other betting options included with most sports betting apps.
  • UFC betting Apps
    Like golf betting apps, a sports betting app is the best option if wishing to wager on the UFC. This is not to say that UFC betting apps are not available, only to the best of our knowledge; they are not offered by bookmakers that are familiar to us. On the outside, this may seem inconvenient, but the reality is, by wagering on UFC fights via a sports betting app, you are granted a greater selection of events, and moreover, superior odds.
  • Cricket betting apps
    Considering the worldwide popularity of cricket, it is not surprising to see many bookmakers offering exclusive cricket betting apps. These are more commonly marketed towards those residing in countries where cricket is the predominantly popular sport, such as India, Pakistan, Australia, and the U.K. Apps exclusively offering cricket feature the same intuitive features as most apps. However, more importantly, they include a greater selection of cricket events and competitive odds and there lies their value.
  • NFL betting apps
    With the Super Bowl being the most wagered sports event of the year, you might think it logical to offer a dedicated NFL betting app. However, considering the NFL’s short season, the logical solution is to incorporate NFL betting into sports betting apps. Therefore, if wanting to place bets on the NFL, the best solution is to download one of our recommended bookmaker apps. The advantageous and numerous and include access to all NFL games, the option for futures and of course, competitive odds.

Mobile betting bonuses and promotions

One of the most important factors to consider when downloading a betting app is the availability of mobile betting bonuses and promotions. Since the earliest days of mobile betting apps, this was something that often generated confusion. Due to their limited use, it was common for mobile sportsbooks and casinos to offer mobile-specific promotions.

However, the explosion of mobile betting apps has seen remarkable changes when it comes to mobile bonuses and promotions. Most mobile apps have since reneged on this practice to allow mobile platforms equal access to their full-range of promotional offers.

Therefore, the need to investigate betting apps based on their promotional availability is removed from the equation. However, what does that mean to players in terms of the type of offers they can access. For most, they will find the list includes welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, sport-themed promotions, and likewise, casino themed promotions.

In terms of sport themed promotions, this can range from guaranteed odds to free bets, ACCA insurance and accumulator bonuses. In terms of casino promotions, this is similarly diverse and ranges from welcome bonuses to free spin offers, reload bonuses, and competition themed promotions.

Iphone

Advantages of mobile betting

There are multiple advantages to mobile betting when comparing it to the more traditional method desktop method of access. Over and above the most obvious, mobile betting provides a level of freedom that has previously been unavailable. The ability to place bets regardless of where you may be, whether at home, work, or travelling, is unparalleled.

However, to add to those mentioned and provide additional insight into the advantages of mobile betting, we have included a list of known conveniences.

  • Convenient and easy to access
  • Access to live streaming
  • Automatic updates
  • Free to download
  • An extensive selection of betting platforms
  • Live betting opportunities
  • Multiple betting features (early cash-out, in-play betting etc.)

Mobile version or application?

This is a question that is often asked of us when speaking on the topic of mobile betting. Ultimately, there are pros and cons to both; therefore, choosing between the two comes down to personal preferences.

Mobile apps offer a different level of flexibility over that of a mobile version. First and foremost, they are exclusively designed to meet the unique design qualities of Android or iOS. That in itself supports the argument in favour of betting apps. However, they also automatically update and offer the unique option to remain logged in without the time-consuming need to enter details each time you wish to place a bet.

However, there are also distinct arguments that favour using a mobile version. The largest and most relevant is the space-saving qualities that come from using it over downloading an app. Although the space used is minimal, for older devices, this is a relevant argument. In terms of reliability, both are equal and therefore deliver an equal experience, regardless of whether sport or casino related.

Best betting apps for the UK

Betting apps, and their overall appeal, have grown exponentially over the last several years within the United Kingdom. When you consider the number of people who actively wager on sports in the UK, this is not hard to understand. However, the increased popularity is similar to a double-edged sword as with the increase in popularity comes an increased number of betting apps.

The plus side in this is due to the strict regulatory laws that govern sports and casino wagering in the UK; operators are strictly monitored to ensure they operate within the regulatory laws that govern their operation. That said, there are certain betting apps that deserve recognition for their ingenuity, innovativeness and overall respectability.

While we could focus our attention on other brands equally as responsible as those listed below, the six we discuss have proven themselves to offer the best betting apps within the UK.

The name Coral is synonymous with quality in the UK, and it is only natural their betting app carries on their tradition of delivering excellence in sports betting. As a betting app, it offers punters an extensive selection of sports markets, betting options, and, likewise, betting features. Along with a player-friendly interface and intuitive design, Coral app offers a wide selection of promotions, access to other betting platforms and is highly rated amongst those who have downloaded the app.

Considering the respectability that comes from the name Ladbrokes, it is fitting that their betting app is ranked one of the most popular in the UK. The Ladbrokes betting app is available for iOS and Android devices and is designed to deliver a superior betting platform that features access to hundreds of international and local sports markets. This includes all popular markets, local and international sports leagues and unfettered access to greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing.

888Sport has long been established as a premium betting app in the UK, and rightfully so. Not only does it offer a huge variety of sports, but as a pre-match and in-play betting platform, it has been designed to be player-friendly and offer a large number of attractive features.

To name a few features, punters can look forward to the best odds guaranteed on Ireland and UK horse racing, boosted odds on a wide range of sports markets, early cash-out feature and enhanced visual recreations for in-play events. Read more about 888sport app here.

Bet365 is a brand that gets immediate recognition for its exceptional branding efforts, and more so, its superior selection of sports markets, betting options, competitive odds and complementary betting platforms. As a mobile sports app, it offers one of the most user-friendly interfaces on the market with over fourteen unique and personalised features such as live streaming, bet builder, an internal alert system and more. You can read our review about Bet365 app and how to download it.

In addition to its extensive collection of features, Bet365 is known for its extensive promotional offerings. This includes specific sports promotions, and similarly, promotions for its other betting platforms.

Another top-rated with a 4.6 out of 5 approval rating at the App Store, the William Hill app provides a superior built betting app and, with it, access to hundreds of daily sporting events. Some of its most defining features include access to all football leagues, horse racing events, rugby, darts and boxing matches. Moreover, the app has a substantial number of build-in features such as #YourOdds, early cash-out, live streaming and plenty of mobile app bonuses.

Similar to the other betting apps mentioned, Betfred app has an esteemed reputation within the UK for excellence in sports betting. First established as a betting shop, it has since seen the brand expand into the realm of online betting, and with it, the introduction of a superiorly built mobile sports betting app. Packed with features such as Pick your Punt Builder and other options like Bet Finder and live streaming, it is the perfect choice for anyone wishing to download a high-quality betting app.

Top betting apps for Canada

Sports betting in Canada is a favourite past-time for Canadians who are passionate about placing bets on the nations sport of choice, hockey. Considering its contribution to the world of sports, multiple respected brands have taken root within Canada.

  • Bet365:
    Having established itself as a respected UK brand, Bet365 have grown in popularity amongst Canadians for its large variety of markets and competitive odds. Adding to their appeal for Canadians is their thirst for sports-related promotions and the overall apps functionality.
  • William Hill:
    William Hill has long been a staple go-to for Canadian punters interested in sports betting apps. With a reputation built over the last two decades, Canadians have embraced William Hill for their apps flexible betting options, unique betting features and preponderance for offering the perfect combinations of sports-minded promotions.
  • 888Sport:
    Another top-rated sport betting app in Canada, 888Sport is favoured for its unique platform and overall available international and local sports betting options. Moreover, 888Sports reputation for designing an app that is feature-rich has seen its app continually rank high amongst Canadians.
  • 1xBet:
    The 1xBet app is a relatively new edition to the Canadian market in comparison to the other popular betting apps mentioned. However, with its extensive portfolio of available markets, competitive odds and unique betting features, it has gained momentum amongst punters looking for a reliable and feature-rich betting app.

Best betting apps for India

India has an established reputation for being passionate about Cricket and, of course, football. Whilst the country has seen a massive increase it is mobile network, the apps available specifically for sports betting remain somewhat limited, at least in terms of which are the best betting apps for Indian punters.

  • 10Cric:
    10Cric’s app and its popularity were cemented with punters in India who sought out a betting that has a strong focus on Cricket. While the app offers the ability to wager on other markets, its cricket market is one of its most endearing qualities. Moreover, the app offers many of the features associated with top betting apps such as in-play betting, early cash-out option, advanced stats, and charts.
  • William Hill:
    Similar to Canada, the William Hill betting app is one of India’s favoured apps for sports betting. Part of the appeal of the app is its customisation that caters to the unique sports that are favoured within India. Similarly, the flexible betting options and generous promotions offered to Canadians have helped fuel its popularity within the Indian market.
  • Betfair:
    Betfair has long been considered one of the top brands in the world, and likewise, is seen by many in India in the same light. Its apps popularity steams from the inclusion of hundreds of pre-match and live sports events and its generous selection of betting features. You can read how to download and install the Betfair app in our new guide.
  • Bet365:
    It goes without saying that Bet365 app is a popular choice when it comes to betting in India. Much like most markets, Bet365 provides Indian punters with a continually evolving betting app that offers endless strategic styled features such as betting news, live streaming and more.

Trusted betting apps for US

After the reintroduction of legalised online sports betting in the U.S, many states have undertaken the steps to amend their state legislation to allow sports betting operators to become licensed within their borders. This has resulted in a large number of highly reputable bookmakers taking the initiative to become licensed operators and subsequently offer sports betting within the scope of their state-controlled operational licenses.

Betting

Taking that into consideration, each state is uniquely different in the structure of its state gaming laws. As the selection of trusted betting apps differs from state to state, we have included a state by state list where sports betting apps are approved. Likewise, we have included a list of the top brands offering betting apps within each state.

The state of New Jersey was one of the first states to legalise sports betting in the U.S. This was resultant on the Federal government leaving allowing states to retain control over which forms of gambling it makes legal within their borders. Resultant on the legalisation of sports betting in New Jersey, the following betting apps are rated most popular:

  • DraftKings
  • Bet365
  • William Hill
  • Golden Nugget
  • 888Bet

Nevada was another state leading the charge to legalise online sports betting within its borders. After making amendments to its legislation, online sports betting formally became legal in the state in 2013. Subsequently, since its legalisation, the following betting apps have become popular in the state:

  • William Hill
  • FanDuel
  • Caesars
  • BetMGM
  • Golden Nugget

Following the state of New Jersey and Nevada, Pennsylvania chose to pass legislation making sports betting within the state legal. This initially went into effect in 2018 and was later expanded to include online casino gaming in 2019. Following the legalisation of online casino and sports betting in Pennsylvania, the apps proven most popular in the state include:

  • Unibet
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • BetMGM
  • Caesars

The state of Illinois is another state that recently enacted legislation that saw online sports betting becoming legalised. The amended laws officially took effect in March of 2020, when the state began issuing licenses to bookmakers. While having only been legal for slightly over a year, several sports apps have grown in becoming popularity:

  • William HillUnibet
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • BetRivers

After spending over a year to create legislation that would allow online sports betting in the state, Michigan, became the latest to legalise it within their borders. Due to sports betting apps only recently being permitted to become licensed in Michigan, the inclusion of operators offering betting apps is limited. However, from data collected, the following betting apps are rated most popular in Michigan:

  • DraftKings
  • William Hill
  • Golden Nugget
  • FanDuel
  • BetMGM

The state of Indiana was another of the earlier staters opting to amended state gambling laws to include online sports betting. The law was signed in May of 2019 and went into immediate effect, and following its reintroduction, it began issuing licenses within the state. Since becoming legal, the following betting apps in Indiana are rated most popular:

  • William Hill
  • Unibet
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • BetRivers

The state of Virginia became the second in 2020 to finally take pass legislation that made online sports betting legal within its borders. Since its introduction, the following betting apps have become highly rated most popular in Virginia:

  • William Hill
  • FanDuel
  • BetMGM
  • DraftKings
  • BetRivers

In August of 2019, it opted to make online sports betting legal after amending its state laws. However, state laws require that punters first register via a land-casino before eligible to place bets via a sports betting app. As such, only a handful of apps have proven to be popular within the state, with those being:

  • William Hill
  • BetMGM
  • FanDuel
  • DraftKings
  • BetRivers

Similar to Iowa, the state of New Hampshire legalised online sports betting in July of 2019. While the state legislation allows for up to five bookmakers to be licensed, initially, the state limited this to DraftKings after the company offered to pay 51% in state taxes on generated revenue.

As such, due to the exclusivity awarded to DraftKings, it remains the only operator offering betting apps within the state.

In 2019, the state of Rhode Island passed legislation that saw it signing a bill that allows licensed operators within the state to legally offer online sports betting. As a result of it excluding out of state bookmakers, there are only two legalised sports betting apps within the state. This includes the following:

  • Twin River (Lincoln)
  • Twin River Casino (Tiverton)

FAQ

Can we make deposits or withdrawals thru the mobile betting apps?

Yes, all betting apps offer the option to deposit and withdrawal.

Mobile betting apps offer the same protection and security enhancements as betting sites operating online. Therefore, to answer your question, yes, mobile betting apps are most definitely safe.

Can we install android apps outside of Google Play?

Yes, Due to the position taken by Google Play relating to real money betting apps, bookmakers offering real money, Android betting apps will supply the app directly through their website.

This is not possible to answer as odds are constantly changing, and the betting app with the highest odds is difficult to determine. However, several apps, such as Bet365 and William Hill, have a proven reputation for offering high odds.

This will depend on the bookmaker and their decision whether to offer apps for both operating systems. However, as a standard, most will offer an Android and iOS app.

Virginia became one of the latest states to legalize sports betting in 2020. Five sportsbook apps launched in time for Super Bowl LV betting, with FanDuel sportsbook leading the way on January 21, 2021.

Numerous big names in the sports betting industry are set to launch throughout 2021. Some of these operators have deals with retail casino locations to be constructed over the next few years. Overall, the next few years are sure to be exciting for sports bettors all across the Old Dominion.

5 Best Virginia Sports Betting Apps 2021

  • William Hill Sportsbook – Best for the largest risk-free bet
  • FanDuel Sportsbook – Best sportsbook iOS & Android App
  • BetMGM – Best for MGM players who want to earn MLife Rewards
  • BetRivers – Best for to deposit bonus
  • DraftKings Sportsbook – Best for DFS players who also want to bet

Virginia Sports Betting Recent Updates

  • WynnBet to launch in the next two weeks – Wynn has announced that they have been approved for launch in Virginia and will be launching sometime between March 8 – March 19th.
  • Early numbers show strong performance for Virginia sports betting – For the period of January 21 to January 31, 2021, Virginia sportsbooks brought in $58.9 million in handle.
  • William Hill launches before Super Bowl in Virginia – on February 3rd William Hill launched in Virginia after partnering with Caesars Entertainment and became the fifth app. William Hill offers new players up to $2,021 risk-free bet.
  • BetRivers and BetMGM join the fray – three days after DraftKings and six after FanDuel, two new sportsbooks entered the Virginia market. BetMGM and BetRivers both launched on January 27, 2021, bringing Virginia’s sportsbook total to four. You can get up to $250 at BetRivers and up a $600 risk-free bet at BetMGM.
  • DraftKings goes live in Virginia – three days after FanDuel’s Virginia launch, DraftKings went live in the market on January 24, 2021. When you sign up for DraftKings Virginia, you can get a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
  • FanDuel launches Virginia’s first sportsbook – FanDuel debuted in Virginia on January 21, 2021. It was the first sportsbook to go live in the state, thanks in part to a partnership with the Washington Nationals. New FanDuel bettors can place a risk-free first bet up to $1,000.
  • The Virginia Lottery begins accepting sports betting applications – On October 15, 2020, the Virginia Lottery opened up sports betting license applications. Dozens of operators applied in total, with several also applying for partnerships with Virginian cities like Danville and Portsmouth, who voted on referendums to allow the construction of retail casinos.
  • Virginia voters approve five retail casinos – On November 3, 2020, voters approved five retail casinos in a referendum. Three of the cities have already partnered with online sportsbook operators and the other two teamed up with a local Indian Tribe: BetRivers via Portsmouth, Caesars via Danville, Hard Rock Casino via Bristol, Pamunkey Indian Tribe via Norfolk and Richmond.

The Best 5 Sports Betting Apps In Virginia (In-depth look)

Best for New Bettors

at William Hill VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, IL, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, WV

Best for New Bettors

William Hill Virginia

4.2

William Hill Review

Risk-Free Bet

On First Bet

Licensed by

William Hill launched on February 3rd in Virginia just in time for the Super Bowl. With the largest risk-free opening bonus and a great website and app – William Hill is a great choice for Virginia sports bettors.

William Hill is the oldest continuously running sports betting company, with a large international footprint. They also operate the largest number of retail sportsbooks in the US. In Virginia, bettors can expect a strong and stable app, great ongoing promotions, and an easy-to-navigate live betting system on the app.

Largest risk-free bonus, biggest retail sportsbook footprint in US

Best for iOS and Android Apps

at FanDuel Sportsbook VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, IL, NJ, PA, IN, IA, CO, WV, TN, MI

Best for iOS and Android Apps

FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia

4.3

FanDuel Sportsbook Review

Risk-Free Bet

On First Bet

Licensed by

FanDuel is one of the two top dogs in American sports betting, and it already offers daily fantasy sports. This makes it no surprise that it was the first to confirm its launch in Virginia on January 21, 2021, only a day before its launch in Michigan.

With a generous opening bonus and a slick, streamlined user interface that makes the app easy to use even on high-traffic gamedays, FanDuel is likely to be a sports bettor favorite in Virginia.

DFS, search bar, odds format changing, odds-changing mid-bet

Best for MGM Players

at BetMGM VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, PA, TN, WV

Best for MGM Players

BetMGM Virginia

4.0

BetMGM Review

Risk-Free Bet

Best sports betting apps for iphone
On First Bet

Licensed by

BetMGM is an international sportsbook operator that’s likely to come to Virginia sometime early in 2021. As one of the biggest betting and casino companies in the world, this app offers excellent market depth and variety. Despite its recent arrival in the US, it has a solid user reputation already.

Included among its attractive features is a generous opening bonus, extra international betting pools, and markets for leagues and activities like international soccer, cricket, and Australian rules football, and more.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY & 21+

Best for Deposit Bonus

at BetRivers VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

Best for Deposit Bonus

BetRivers Virginia

4.0

BetRivers Review

Deposit Bonus

100% up to $250

Licensed by

Sports betting enthusiasts will want to check out the BetRivers mobile app. Unlike most other prospective sportsbook launches, BetRivers is definitely known to be launching in 2021 since the operator has already made an agreement with Portsmouth, VA. This operator will provide retail sports betting once that city’s casino has been constructed.

The app itself is one of the best on the market. It has a phenomenal loyalty program and a very clean, minimalist user interface. This makes navigating to different betting pools or game events quick and easy.

Sports newsfeed, “Live Right Now” wagers, live streaming

Best for Sports Fans Who Also Play DFS

at BetMGM VA

Available On: iOS, Android, Web Browser

States Accepted: VA, IL, CO, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NV, WV, PA, NH, TN

Best for Sports Fans Who Also Play DFS

DraftKings Virginia

4.2

DraftKings Review

Deposit Bonus

20% up to $1,000

Licensed by

DraftKings is also likely to have a big presence in the Virginia sports betting market. That’s partially because of its robust mobile app and its phenomenal market depth and variety, both of which blow most of its competitors out of the water. For example, DraftKings is one of the few operators to offer eSports betting on its mobile app where available under local state law.

DraftKings also has a very generous opening bonus totaling a little over $1000, an intuitive mobile app for all major platforms, and daily mobile-only betting pools that you can only access using the app rather than the desktop site.

Easy access betting slip, special mobile-only wagers, DFS

VA Sportsbooks Coming Soon

PointsBet Virginia (8.3/10)

  • Opening Bonus Offer: $2000 in two risk-free bets
  • Available Platforms/Operating Systems: Desktop, Android, iOS
  • Retail Casino Partnerships: N/A
  • Key Features: Pointsbetting, search bar, live streaming, good layout
  • Deposit Options: Electronic wallets, credit/debit cards, PayNearMe, bank transfers

PointsBet is a relatively new sportsbook to come to America that offers phenomenal odds (especially for any fixed odds wagers). PointsBet shares its name from its special “pointsbetting” system – this allows players to participate in a special type of spread betting. If you have an appetite for high risk and high reward wagers, it’ll be a great app for you, even though its market depth and variety could be a little better.

All Virginia Sportsbook Sites

Sportsbook NameBonus OfferPartnerLaunch Date
William HillRisk free bet up to $2021Caesars Entertainment2/3/21
FanDuel$1000 risk-free betWashington Football Team1/21/21
DraftKingsFive $5 free bets + 20% deposit match bonus up to $1000N/A1/24/21
BetRivers100% deposit match bonus up to $250Portsmouth, VA casino1/27/21
BetMGM$600 risk-free betN/A1/27/21
PointsBet$2000 in 2 risk-free betsN/AComing Soon

How To Place A Bet In Virginia

Virginia’s sports betting legislation has made placing an online wager quick and easy.

Choose A Sportsbook

First, choose your sportsbook among the many that will launch sometime in the near future. To do this, either visit the Apple App Store and download the apps straight to your iPhone device or visit the sportsbook’s online website and download the program to your Android device. The Google Play Store doesn’t allow any gambling apps at all.

After downloading the app, open it to begin the registration process.

Register For An Account

Registering for a mobile sportsbook account will be simple. You do not need to visit a retail location in-person to complete the registration process (because Virginia doesn’t have any retail casinos anyway).

Provide your name, address, Social Security Number, and any other required pieces of information. The app will verify your info for a moment, then allow you into the app if you are older than 21 years old and in Virginia. The app will install geolocation software to make sure you are accessing the app within Virginia’s borders.

Deposit Cash

Most mobile sportsbooks allow you to utilize multiple deposit methods to fund your sports betting account. Most allow some combination of credit and debit card deposits, bank transfers, and electronic wallet transfers.

Simply choose the method you want to use and connect that method to your account. This may require signing into your deposit method of choice – for example, if you want to use PayPal, you may need to use your PayPal username and password to link that account to your sportsbook.

Then you can decide how much money you want to place in your account. This will allow you to take advantage of many sportsbooks’ opening bonuses based on their terms and conditions.

Place Bets

Once your account is funded, you can navigate through the app as you like and start placing wagers! Be sure to take advantage of any opening bonuses that might apply to your account. These include deposit match bonuses, risk-free bets, and more.

Virginia’s Legal Sportsbooks

Licensed by the Virginia Lottery
Player friendly sportsbook sign-up offers
Limited college betting
4.6

Ultimately, Virginia’s legal sportsbooks are far superior to any illegal or offshore betting sites.

For starters, every Virginian sportsbook is licensed and regulated by the Virginia Lottery. This overseeing body performs regular investigations into all the sportsbooks within Virginia’s borders and makes sure that any operating sportsbook has excellent digital security to protect the financial data of its users.

Sport Betting Apps For Iphone

Internet security is particularly important because identity theft and other cyber threats are much more common these days. In contrast, offshore or illegal sites usually don’t have high-quality security, let alone basic SSL certification. This means anyone who uses those sites puts their personal information and financial data at risk.

All licensed sportsbooks in Virginia must both have insurance for their users and must report their winnings to the state government and IRS. This does mean that you’ll need to pay taxes on any winnings you get from using a Virginia sportsbook. But it’s a small price to pay for security and peace of mind.

Virginia’s Sports Betting Revenue

It’s tough to say just how much revenue Virginia’s state government can expect once sports betting fully launches and gets going. However, certain studies have indicated that mobile sports betting revenue alone might approach $400 million over the next seven years or so.

When you consider the fact that Virginia is also launching retail casinos (which will incorporate their own brick-and-mortar sportsbooks), it’s clear that the Virginian state government has a lot to look forward to in terms of revenue.

The industry as a whole is set to explode. The more the market opens and develops, the more promotional opportunities and licensing deals will flood the state.

Per Virginia’s sports betting legislation, a 12% tax rate will apply to most sports betting revenue. For example, if the state generates (according to the above study) $462 million in annual revenue, the state government will receive around $55 million in taxes.

Mobile alone may generate close to $400 million in revenue and, therefore, also generate $40 million in taxes for the Virginian government. All in all, it’s likely that the government will appreciate its decision to legalize sports betting very soon.

How Virginia Compares To Other States

Although Virginia has been relatively barren in terms of gambling opportunity in recent years, its sports betting legislation is pretty similar to the rules adopted by other states, like New Jersey. For example, Virginia’s sports betting restriction against betting on collegiate teams from its own universities is identical to the laws adopted by New Jersey sportsbooks.

In contrast, Pennsylvania doesn’t have any restrictions on collegiate sports betting, which goes to show that individual states have clearly different opinions about what constitutes moral sports wagering.

Furthermore, there are states that have adopted sports betting without allowing casinos to be built. For instance, Tennessee now allows sports betting but does not allow either casinos or poker. In contrast, Virginia will allow retail casinos to be built across five cities (with more potentially being built in the future).

In summary, Virginia is around the middle of the pack in terms of gambling opportunities and freedom. Once the state government sees the extra income earned from sports betting, further restrictions may eventually be lifted.

Virginia Betting Successes And Failures

Virginia’s Sports Betting Success

So far, Virginia’s big sports betting success has undoubtedly been the launch of online sports wagering before the retail casinos are constructed. Because building a new casino or resort takes a few years at a minimum, Virginian residents are no doubt relieved that they’ll still be able to enjoy mobile sports betting before those brick-and-mortar locations are ready to be visited.

Furthermore, Virginia’s Lottery performed rather impressively when it came to creating the rules and regulations for sports betting. In just a few months, sports betting went from illegal in Virginia to fully licensed and regulated.

The Lottery began accepting applications on October 15, 2020, and finished accepting applications by Halloween. In total, eighteen sportsbooks are set to launch over the next few years when you combine online sites and retail operations. About 25 companies applied for licenses.

In other words, Virginia’s sports betting scene is so far impressive due to its speed. Few states have launched sports betting as successfully and efficiently.

Where Could Virginia Improve Online Gambling

This being said, Virginia could definitely improve its online gambling sphere by also legalizing online casino games and other activities like poker. For legal online gambling, Virginia bettors will need to travel to West Virginia.

For now, the only online gambling activity is sports betting (and daily fantasy sports, which technically doesn’t count as gambling). Even the state lottery must be played in person, preventing people from purchasing lottery tickets online.

However, it may be that Virginia legislators are looking to see how sports betting fully actualizes over the next few years before lifting the restriction on other forms of gambling. Hopefully, we’ll see many more gambling opportunities launch over the next decade.

Virginia could also make sports betting more accessible by allowing bets on local college teams, particularly in a state that doesn’t have any professional teams to officially call its own.

Legalization Effort In Virginia

The path to sports betting legalization in Virginia was long and hard-fought. Although the federal ban on sports gambling was lifted in May 2018, it took until 2019 for Virginian lawmakers to even begin debating sports betting proposals.

Then it took the rest of 2019 to reach an agreement. By April 2020, the Virginia House and Senate crafted a pair of bills outlining sports betting rules and restrictions. Both bills faced a little pushback from Governor Ralph Northam, who made a number of unspecified changes.

Fortunately, Northam did not stand in the way of progress and allowed both bills to pass the House and Senate. He then signed off on the final bills and set the date for legalization: July 1, 2020.

It’s likely that Northam was responsible for the two-month waiting period before official sports betting processes could begin. This allowed the weeks between July 15 and September 15 to be allocated to the Virginia Lottery, which then wrote detailed sports betting regulations.

Timeline For Virginia Sports Betting

  • May 2018 – Sports betting ban is lifted at the federal level
  • April 2020 – Bills HB 896 and SB 384 pass the Virginia House and Senate, respectively
  • April 22, 2020 – Gov. Ralph Northam signs both bills and legalizes sports betting in Virginia
  • July 1, 2020 – Sports betting officially becomes legal in Virginia
  • July 15, 2020 – Temporary sports betting regulations are issued
  • August 10, 2020 – Updated sportsbook draft regulations are released by the Lottery
  • September 15, 2020 – Virginia Lottery publishes its official sports betting regulations
  • October 15, 2020 – The Lottery starts accepting license applications from sportsbook operators
  • October 31, 2020 – The sportsbook application window closes
  • November 3, 2020 – The referendum for Virginian cities that decides whether they will allow or outlaw casino construction is held
  • January 21, 2021 – Online and mobile sports betting launches in Virginia

Virginia Teams

Virginia Professional Sports Teams

Virginia residents have long dreamed of online sports betting coming to their state in large part because many of them are sports fanatics! Interestingly, Virginia doesn’t have a professional sports franchise of national repute.

However, Virginia is the state that most Washington DC professional sports teams call home. For instance, both the Washington Football Team and Washington Capitals (an NHL team) have their practice facilities and corporate headquarters stationed in Northern Virginia. This is even though both teams play outside of Virginia.

Thus, sports bettors would be wise to place wagers and look for promotional opportunities for the Washington Football Team. As a five-time NFL champion, this team is definitely one to watch, particularly when they face off against the Dallas Cowboys (their primary rival). Virginia bettors will also be able to place bets on the Baltimore Ravens and all other NFL teams.

But sports bettors should also check out the Washington Wizards, which is the closest professional NBA team for most Virginians to support. Games against the Cleveland Cavaliers are sure to be accompanied by excellent wagers and promotional opportunities due to the long-standing rivalry between both teams.

Other popular professional teams available for betting include the Washington Nationals, and the Baltimore Orioles. The Nationals have risen to prominence in the last few years and the Orioles have a strong rivalry with both the Yankees and the Red Sox.

Virginia College Sports Teams

While many Virginians love college sports, Virginia’s recent sports betting legislation has unfortunately placed severe limitations on college sports betting.

In fact, it will not be legal to place sports bets on Virginia college sports within the state. Instead, Virginia residents will only be allowed to place bets on college sports teams in other states (with the exceptions of proposition bets and live betting, which are still prohibited).

This is likely a big bummer for sports betting enthusiasts, as Virginia Tech and Virginia State University are two of the country’s leading teams for college football and basketball. But while Virginia sports bettors won’t be able to place wagers on the Virginia Cavaliers, Tech Hokies, or Liberty Flames, there are still lots of other options to bet on using the plethora of soon-to-launch sports betting apps. This includes being able to bet on the Georgetown Hoyas, the Maryland Terrapins, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, all popular local college basketball teams.

Other Sports To Bet On In Virginia

Aside from professional sports, Virginian sports bettors will likely be able to find and enjoy lots of excellent betting markets for activities like NASCAR: arguably the most popular non-ball-sport activity in the state. This is probably because Virginia is home to four different annual NASCAR races in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Additional races to look for high-value wagers and betting markets include:

  • Xfinity 500
  • ValleyStar Credit Union 300
  • Dominion Energy Charity Classic

Virginia Sports Betting FAQs

Yes. As of July 1, 2020, online sports betting is legal provided it is done on a licensed app currently regulated by the Virginia Lottery. The first sports betting app launched on January 21, 2021.

How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Online In Virginia?

You must be 21 years of age or older to bet online within Virginia’s borders. This is the same age for the state lottery.

The Virginia Lottery regulates all online sportsbook activity. In addition, this organization will oversee retail sportsbook operations once they launch at brick-and-mortar casinos throughout Virginian cities.

Do I Need To Be A Resident Of Virginia To Bet Online?

No. Any Virginia mobile sportsbook will request your address and install geolocation software as the app installs. This requires you to be within Virginia’s borders when placing a wager or using a mobile sportsbook. You do not need to be a resident of Virginia, just located within its borders.

Yes. Mobile sportsbooks currently (or soon to be) operating in Virginia are licensed and regulated by the Lottery. This means that the Lottery investigated the operator and found that they had both excellent digital security, such as SSL certification, and insurance to protect its users in the event of fraud or theft.

In other words, any legal online sportsbooks are well-vetted and should be safe to use. If you have any issues, you can bring a grievance to the Virginia Lottery and they will investigate on your behalf.

Sports Betting Apps For Iphone

Yes and no. You are not allowed to place any sports wagers on Virginian college teams, like the Virginia Tech Hokies, regardless of league. However, you can place college sports bets on out-of-state college teams so long as they are not playing against a Virginia team. There is also a general prohibition against placing live bets or proposition bets on college sports.

More Resources On Virginia Sports Betting

  • Official Virginia House of Representatives sports betting bill HB 896
  • Official Virginia Senate sports betting bill SB 384
  • The Virginia Lottery, where you can file a complaint or learn more about their regulation process
  • Virginia Mercury, an online newspaper with regular news about the Old Dominion and sports betting developments