NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Virginia for Hockey

Virginia legalized online sports betting in April 2020 and launched betting on January 22, 2021, making it one of the earliest post-PASPA mobile betting states. While Virginia lacks an NHL franchise, the state has passionate hockey fans across the Northern Virginia region (near Washington D.C. Capitals fans) and throughout the Commonwealth. Today, Virginia offers 12 licensed online sportsbooks competing for action, a solid, competitive market.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia legalized online sports betting when Governor Ralph Northam signed amendments to sports betting bills in April 2020. The first bet was placed on January 22, 2021.

Quick facts:

You must be 21 or older (violating this is a Class 1 misdemeanor per Virginia Code § 58.1-4128). The Virginia Lottery regulates all online sports betting activity. Virginia currently has 12 licensed online sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, bet365, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, Betr, and Sporttrade.

ull remote registration allowed, no need to visit physical locations. Virginia permits betting on college sports, including in-state teams like Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, and Old Dominion Monarchs. However, individual college player props are prohibited. Virginia law allows for up to 17 total online sportsbooks, additional operators could potentially enter.

Read more: Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in Virginia

Retail sportsbooks: Virginia has 3 retail sportsbooks at Danville Casino, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

Top Sportsbooks for NHL Betting in Virginia

Virginia's loaded with options. Here's where to bet hockey based on what matters most.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Virginia Status: First to launch (January 22, 2021)

FanDuel is consistently rated the top sportsbook nationally. Sharp puck line pricing, extensive player props, responsive live betting, and the best NHL same-game parlays. Phenomenal mobile app with real-time goalie and injury updates.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins.

Best for: All Virginia hockey bettors, FanDuel is the default choice.

Shurzy Tip: FanDuel's SGP builder is clutch. Stack player props with game outcomes, anytime goal scorer + team moneyline + over/under. Build your edge in one bet.

DraftKings Sportsbook

Virginia Status: Launched January 22, 2021

DraftKings excels at player props (drawing on DFS expertise). Shots on goal, assists, blocked shots markets are deep. Flash Bets allow rapid in-game wagering. Shared wallet between DFS and sportsbook.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets + 3 months NBA League Pass.

Best for: Prop-focused bettors and DFS players.

Caesars Sportsbook

Virginia Status: Launched January 22, 2021

Caesars offers sharp NHL pricing and the industry's best loyalty program (Caesars Rewards). Daily odds boosts on select markets. Live streaming of select games.

Welcome offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 20 Bets (code SBO20X).

Best for: Bettors seeking loyalty rewards.

Shurzy Tip: Caesars' 20 profit boosts are money. Use them on player props or moneylines, double your winnings on bets you'd make anyway.

BetMGM

Virginia Status: Launched January 22, 2021

BetMGM is one of the best Virginia sportsbooks for parlay betting. Promotional calendar with NHL-specific boosts. "One Game Parlay" feature is excellent for hockey SGPs.

Welcome offer: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet doesn't win.

Best for: Parlay enthusiasts.

bet365

Virginia Status: Launched 2023

bet365 is globally renowned for its best-in-class live betting platform. NHL in-game odds update in real-time with exceptional speed. Live streaming of select events and early cash-out options. Deep futures markets.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets + 10 Golden Chips.

Best for: Live-action bettors and futures-focused players.

Shurzy Tip: bet365's live betting platform is the best in Virginia. If you're watching a game live and want to bet momentum shifts during power plays or after goals, bet365 updates faster than anyone else.

Fanatics Sportsbook

Virginia Status: Launched November 2023

Fanatics offers the FanCash rewards program, earn cash back on every bet. Strong same-game parlay markets, daily odds boosts, and comprehensive NHL coverage.

Welcome offer: Up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash.

Best for: High-volume bettors seeking rewards.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

NHL Bet Types in Virginia

Virginia sportsbooks offer the full spectrum of NHL bets. Here's what you can play.

Moneyline Betting

Pick the winner, straight up. Shop for best pricing across VA's 12 books, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars maintain particularly sharp lines.

Puck Line (-1.5 / +1.5 and alternates)

Hockey's spread with alternative lines available. Favorites must win by 2+ goals (-1.5), underdogs get a 1.5-goal cushion.

Shurzy Tip: With 12 sportsbooks in Virginia, puck line shopping matters. A -110 at FanDuel might be -105 at DraftKings. Over a season, those nickels add up. Don't be lazy, shop around.

Total Goals (Over/Under with alternatives)

Usually set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals per game with alternative totals.

Player Props

The fastest-growing NHL market. Anytime goal scorer, shots on goal (ranges available), assists, saves (goalies), power play points, blocked shots. DraftKings and Caesars offer the deepest menus.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Period Betting

Bet specific periods: 1st-period moneyline, 1st-period total, 2nd-period total, 3rd-period moneyline.

Shurzy Tip: Period betting is underrated for tight games. If you're expecting a defensive slugfest, bet the first-period under instead of the full game. You dodge empty-net chaos and overtime coin flips.

Team & Game Props

Team total goals, both teams to score, overtime (yes/no), winning margin. Available across all major Virginia books.

NHL Parlays & Same Game Parlays

Standard and SGP options available. FanDuel leads on NHL SGPs with extensive customization.

NHL Futures Betting

Stanley Cup winner, Conference winners, division winners, Hart/Vezina/Calder Trophy odds. Available on all major Virginia books.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

NHL Betting Bonuses & Promos in Virginia

Virginia's competitive market drives promotions. Here's what to watch for.

• Welcome Bonuses: All 12 sportsbooks offer new customer promotions. Current highlights include FanDuel's Bet $5, Get $150 if your bet wins, DraftKings' Bet $5, Get $200 + NBA League Pass, Caesars' double winnings on next 20 bets, BetMGM's up to $1,500 back if first bet loses, bet365's Bet $5, Get $150 + 10 Golden Chips, and Fanatics' up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash.
• Capitals-Specific Promotions: FanDuel and DraftKings frequently offer Washington Capitals odds boosts (relevant for Northern Virginia bettors).
• Parlay Profit Boosts: 3+ leg parlays regularly receive boosts across multiple books.
• Playoff Specials: Stanley Cup Playoffs bring enhanced promotional activity across all books.

Shurzy Tip: Check multiple sportsbook promotion tabs daily. Virginia's 12-operator market means frequent rotating offers. For Northern VA bettors, Capitals promos pop during the season, don't sleep on those.

Expert NHL Betting Tips for Virginia Bettors

Here's how to bet smarter on hockey in Virginia's mature market.

1. Watch Goalie Announcements Closely: A backup goalie can flip a line 2-3 goals instantly. Check official team sources 30 minutes before puck drop, Virginia books update quickly.
2. Consider Back-to-Back Situations: Teams playing consecutive nights face fatigue. The team on night two of a back-to-back allows more goals. Factor this into totals and puck lines.
3. Shurzy Tip: Back-to-backs hit differently in hockey. If a team's on the second night and traveling, fade them hard. Books price it in somewhat, but casual bettors sleep on this edge, especially late season.
4. Track Pace & Expected Goals (xG): Raw win/loss records can mislead. Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality and predicts future performance. Free resources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey.
5. Home-Ice Advantage Isn't Massive: NHL home advantage is modest, roughly 3-4% edge in win percentage. Don't overweight home teams.
6. Look for Underdog Value: NHL's low scoring creates frequent underdog wins. Moneylines and +1.5 puck lines often offer value overlooked by casual bettors.
7. Shop VA's Market: With 12 competing operators, check at least 3 books before betting. Price discrepancies exist and are exploitable.

How to Start Betting on NHL Games in Virginia

Getting started is simple. Here's the play-by-play.

• Pick a licensed sportsbook from any of Virginia's 12 licensed operators. Create an account by downloading the app or visiting the website with accurate info (full name, DOB, address, SSN). Must be 21+.
• Full remote registration, no physical location visit required. Verify identity by uploading your driver's license or passport. Deposit funds via multiple methods (cards, e-wallets, bank transfers).
• Claim promotions by checking the "Promotions" tab for NHL-specific offers. Navigate to NHL/Hockey to find upcoming games. Compare odds across multiple Virginia sportsbooks (check at least 3). Place your bet through the app or website. Track results and refine your strategy over time.

Beginner-friendly bets: Anytime goal scorer (lower variance), puck lines (better payouts), first-period unders (less chaotic).

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting in Virginia

The Virginia Lottery ensures all 12 licensed sportsbooks comply with consumer protection laws. Your funds are protected, and identity verification prevents underage gambling. Violating age requirements is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

All Virginia sportsbooks offer deposit limits, wager limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options. Use these tools proactively.

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

If betting ever feels like a burden, reach out. Virginia's resources are confidential and free.

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan. Separate betting funds from your everyday account.

Final Thoughts: Virginia's Best for NHL Betting

Virginia is one of the oldest and most established East Coast sports betting markets, with online betting launching on January 22, 2021. With 12 licensed online sportsbooks and room for up to 17, Virginia offers hockey fans competitive options.

FanDuel stands as the top overall choice, best SGPs, sharp pricing, first-mover advantage. DraftKings excels for prop-focused bettors. Caesars offers loyalty rewards. BetMGM is best for parlay betting. bet365 dominates live betting. Fanatics has the best rewards program.