Sports Betting

NFL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Virginia for Football

Virginia has emerged as one of America's premier sports betting destinations since online wagering launched on January 22, 2021. The Old Dominion is home to the Washington Commanders, a prominent NFL franchise with passionate fans throughout Northern Virginia and the DC metropolitan area. This breaks down legality, the top sportsbook apps, NFL bonuses, bet types, and proven betting strategies for the 2025 season. No fluff, no jargon. Just picks you can flex.

NFL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Virginia for Football

Is NFL Betting Legal in Virginia?

Yes, NFL betting is fully legal in Virginia for online and retail sportsbooks. Virginia legalized sports betting in April 2020 via SB 384 when Governor Ralph Northam signed two gaming expansion bills into law. Online mobile betting officially launched on January 22, 2021, with FanDuel becoming the first operator to go live.

Key Legal Facts:

Regulatory body: Virginia Lottery Commission
Licensed operators: 12 active online sportsbooks as of November 2025
Age requirement: You must be 21 years old or older to bet on sports in Virginia (violating this law constitutes a Class 1 misdemeanor)
Remote registration: Yes, you can register online from anywhere and place bets when physically located in Virginia using geolocation technology
Retail locations: Sportsbooks are available at licensed casino locations including Danville Casino, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, and future casino properties under development
College sports: Yes, you can bet on college sports in Virginia, including Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech, and other in-state teams

Best Online Sportsbooks for NFL Betting in Virginia

Virginia features 12 premier licensed sportsbooks offering comprehensive NFL betting options. Here are the top platforms:

1. BetMGM Virginia

BetMGM ranks as one of Virginia's top-rated sportsbooks (9.8/10 rating) and excels in live betting markets. The platform features thousands of live betting options, a powerful Parlay Builder tool, and exceptional coverage of NFL games from kickoff through the final whistle. BetMGM offers "$1,500 First Bet Offer" (the highest welcome bonus in Virginia) structured as bonus bets issued at 20% increments.

Best for: Bettors who go big on their first play.

2. Caesars Sportsbook Virginia

Caesars delivers world-class odds and provides the unique "Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 20 Bets" offer using promo code VFB20X (20 x 100% profit boosts, each up to $2,500). Caesars Rewards members earn benefits applicable to properties nationwide. The promotion is particularly valuable for NFL bettors seeking to maximize parlay value.

Best for: Players who want strong bonuses and extra rewards.

3. FanDuel Virginia

FanDuel was the first sportsbook to launch in Virginia on January 22, 2021, and remains a market leader (9.7/10 rating). The platform features rapid odds updates, Watch & Bet streaming capabilities, and extensive same-game parlay options. FanDuel's partnership with the Washington Commanders provides exclusive Commanders boosts and promotional offers. The welcome offer is "Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins".

Best for: Everyday players who want smooth, simple betting.

4. DraftKings Virginia

DraftKings provides competitive NFL odds and one of the best welcome offers with "Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets + 3 Months of NBA League Pass" (issued as 8 x $25 bonus bets with a 7-day expiration). The platform excels with same-game parlays, live betting, and injury-adjusted markets.

Best for: Bettors who love variety and live action.

5. bet365 Virginia

bet365 launched in Virginia and brings its world-renowned reputation with elite in-play betting and early-payout features. The platform offers two welcome options: "Bet $5, Get $200 Win or Lose" (win or lose on your $5 qualifying bet with code COVERS) OR "$1,000 First Bet Safety Net" (get up to $1,000 in bonus bets back if your first bet loses). The platform has exceptional app ratings (4.8/5 iOS, 4.5/5 Android).

Best for: Live bettors and sharp players.

6. Fanatics Sportsbook Virginia

Fanatics stands out with one of the highest cumulative welcome bonuses: "Up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash" distributed over 10 days ($200 maximum per day). Alternatively, Fanatics offers "Bet $50, Get $250 in FanCash". The platform emphasizes Fair Play policies and provides FanCash rewards toward official NFL merchandise.

Best for: Sports fans who love merch rewards.

7. BetRivers Virginia

BetRivers features $500 in Second Chance Bet if your first wager loses using promo code SPORTS. The platform also provides the $1 million Beat the Spread Challenge and 20% parlay profit boosts on multi-leg NFL wagers.

Best for: Contest players who want extra chances to win big.

Shurzy tip: Sign up for three or four apps at once. Virginia has 12 options, so you can actually line shop like a pro. Most welcome bonuses are first-bet offers, so testing multiple platforms gives you more chances to win.

Best NFL Betting Bonuses in Virginia

Virginia sportsbooks collectively offer over $6,850 in combined new-user bonuses, among the highest in the nation. Here are the best current offers:

Highest Single Welcome Bonus: BetMGM leads with "$1,500 First Bet Offer" structured as bonus bets issued at 20% increments (up to 5 separate bonus bets).
Cumulative Multi-Day Bonuses: Fanatics provides "Up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash" over 10 days ($200 max per day, expiring each day at 11:59 p.m.).
Profit Boost Offers: Caesars Sportsbook delivers "Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 20 Bets" (20 x 100% profit boosts, each up to $2,500) using code VFB20X.
Guaranteed Bonuses: ESPN BET offers "Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed" regardless of outcome (one of the few guaranteed offers available). FanDuel offers "Bet $5, Get $150 if Your Bet Wins". DraftKings provides "Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets + 3 Months of NBA League Pass" (expires in 7 days). bet365 offers "Bet $5, Get $200 Win or Lose" OR "$1,000 First Bet Safety Net".
Second-Chance Bets: BetRivers offers $500 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Wager Loses using code SPORTS.
Alternative Offers: Fanatics also offers "Bet $50, Get $250 in FanCash". Sporttrade provides "10% Cash Back on Every Bet Your First Week, up to $100" using code BETVA.

Shurzy tip: Don't overthink it. Setting up your account takes less time than ordering wings before kickoff. Just make sure you use your bonus on a line that actually excites you.

Popular NFL Bets You Can Make in Virginia

Virginia sportsbooks offer every NFL betting option available. Here's what you can wager on:

Moneyline: Pick which team wins the game straight up, no point spread. Example: Eagles -225 means you risk $225 to win $100 if Philadelphia wins straight up.
Point Spread: The most common NFL bet. Sportsbooks set a margin of victory. Example: Eagles -4.5 means Philadelphia must win by 5+ points to cover against Dallas.
Totals (Over/Under): Bet whether the combined score exceeds or falls short of the sportsbook's total. Example: Eagles vs. Cowboys set at 51.5 points. Bet over or under that number.
Player Props: Wager on individual performances like passing yards, rushing touchdowns, receptions, or anytime touchdown scorer. Virginia allows college player props as well.
Team Props: Bet on team-specific outcomes like first-half points, team total score, or which team scores first.
Same-Game Parlays (SGP): Combine multiple outcomes from a single NFL game with enhanced odds. Example: Eagles moneyline + over 51.5 points + specific receiver to score touchdown.
Futures: Long-term bets on outcomes like Super Bowl winner, division champions, MVP odds, or season win totals.

Shurzy tip: Don't bet solely on the Commanders because you're from the DC area or Virginia. The best bettors separate hometown fandom from bankroll management. If you want to ride with your team, keep it small and keep it fun.

How to Bet on the NFL in Virginia: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose a licensed sportsbook from the 12 regulated operators.
Step 2: Create your account with your personal information.
Step 3: Verify identity and age (you need to be 21+ and physically located in Virginia) using geolocation technology.
Step 4: Make a deposit using credit/debit cards, PayPal, or other approved methods. Virginia sportsbooks typically have low minimums ($5-$10).
Step 5: Claim available bonuses and enter promo codes if required.
Step 6: Navigate to NFL betting, browse upcoming games, odds, and bet types.
Step 7: Place your bet, confirm your bet slip, and monitor your wager through settlement.
Step 8: Withdraw winnings through regulated banking (Virginia withdrawals typically process within 24-48 hours).

Responsible Gambling in Virginia

Virginia provides comprehensive responsible gaming resources. All sportsbooks offer deposit limits, session time limits, self-exclusion options, and loss limits. Virginia's Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP) allows individuals to exclude themselves from all Virginia casino gaming, sports betting, account-based lottery games, and racing betting for 2 years, 5 years, or lifetime periods.

Get Help: If you or someone you know struggles with problem gambling, contact the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling Hotline at 888-532-3500 (Call/Text/Chat, confidential), available 24/7.

Final Take: Virginia's NFL Betting Scene Is Elite

If you're a Commanders or Eagles fan seeking sharp NFL lines, a serious bettor line-shopping across all 12 platforms, or a casual fan looking for best-in-class bonuses, Virginia delivers exceptional value. Choose from platforms like BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, or bet365 for a world-class 2025 NFL betting season with abundant promotions and Commanders-exclusive boosts.

Shurzy tip: No spreadsheets, no stress. Just fast picks, good promos, and wins you can flex. That's the Shurzy way.

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