Last Updated on August 24, 2025 by Caesar Fikson
Ever wondered about gambling in Virginia? Maybe you’re interested in slot machines or online bets. Today, I’ll guide you through Virginia’s strict gambling laws.
Short answer: yes—some gambling is legal in Virginia, and some isn’t. Mobile and retail sports betting are legal. Commercial casinos are legal in approved cities and continue to roll out. Online casinos (real-money iGaming) are not legal (lawmakers are debating it). Historical horse racing (HHR) and pari-mutuel horse betting are legal. “Skill games” in convenience stores and bars remain banned, with ongoing political fights around bringing them back under regulation.
But first, let’s cover three surprising points:
1. In 2020, Virginia declared “gray machines” illegal. These slot-like machines are often found in truck stops and stores. Now, there’s talk of making them legal and taxing them, which has generated strong opinions.
2. You can’t legally gamble in online casinos in Virginia. Even though there was a push to allow it in 2020, the state doesn’t allow real-money online casinos. Yet, you can enjoy casino-style games online through social and sweepstakes casinos.
3. The gambling age in Virginia is 21 for casinos and sports betting. But, if you’re 18 or over, you can join the state lottery and bet on horses.
With these facts in mind, let’s explore more about gambling in Virginia. We’ll discuss the skill game debates and the future of online casinos. Stick around for the full scoop on Virginia’s varied gambling scene.
Not legal advice—rules change. I’m giving you an operator-grade map so you can plan, budget, and avoid compliance drama.
What’s Legal vs. Not (Right Now)
| Activity | Status in VA | Where / How | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports betting | Legal (online + retail) since 2021 | Mobile apps statewide; retail books at licensed casinos | 21+ |
| Commercial casinos | Legal in voter-approved cities; properties opening in phases | Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth operating; Norfolk in progress; Petersburg approved and underway | 21+ on gaming floors |
| Online casinos (slots/table games for real money) | Not legal (under legislative study; proposals active) | N/A | 21+ if ever authorized |
| Daily fantasy sports (DFS) | Legal & regulated (Fantasy Contests Act, 2016) | Licensed DFS operators | Typically 18+ (fantasy contests) |
| Pari-mutuel horse betting | Legal (live & advance-deposit wagering) | Colonial Downs; licensed ADW | 18+ (horse wagering) |
| Historical Horse Racing (HHR) | Legal (Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, etc.) | Statewide at licensed HHR venues | 21+ on gaming floors (operator/regs) |
| Charitable gaming (bingo, raffles) | Legal with strict rules | Charity venues | Often 18+; local variations |
| “Skill games” (gray machines in stores/bars) | Banned since 2021; revival attempts vetoed/contested | N/A |
The Status of Online Gambling in Virginia
You can’t play online casino games for real money in Virginia right now. In 2020, attempts to make it legal failed. However, you can still play casino games without money through social and sweepstakes casinos. These sites let you win cash without betting. Virginia does allow online sports betting and has OK’d commercial casinos. Thanks to these laws, there’s hope that real-money online casinos might follow.
Options for Online Gambling in Virginia
Even though online casino gambling isn’t around in Virginia, you can still have fun:
- Social Casinos: You can play casino games for free on social casino sites. These sites give out virtual money for playing with friends. Since there’s no real money to be won, it’s all about having a good time.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: These places are legal in Virginia. They look and feel like regular casinos. But by entering sweepstakes, you can win cash or other prizes, all for free.
Remember, these options are fun but not for playing with real money yet. For those looking to bet real cash, the hope is in Virginia’s changing gambling laws. So, let’s wait and see what happens next.
Virginia might open its doors to real online casinos in the future. With online sports betting already going on, there’s a path for more gambling. However, legalizing online casino games is a big step. It will need careful thought and rules to make it fair for all.
The Gambling Age and Taxes in Virginia
In Virginia, you must be 21 to gamble at casinos or bet on sports. If you’re 18 or older, you can play the lottery or watch horse races with limits.
Both the federal and state governments tax gambling wins. The federal rate is 24%. State taxes on these wins in Virginia can be 2% to 5.75%, depending on your income.
Big wins have taxes taken out right away. This is to make sure tax laws are followed. It’s also your job to tell the IRS about your wins on tax forms.
“In Virginia, the minimum gambling age is 21 for both commercial casinos and sports betting.”
Knowing the rules is critical to playing and paying taxes correctly. This helps both players and the government. Knowing age and tax law allows you to play legally and meet tax demands.
The Gambling Age and Taxes in Virginia at a Glance
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 (for commercial casinos and sports betting) |
|---|---|
| Permitted Gambling for Ages 18 and Above | State lottery and parimutuel horse racing |
| Federal Tax Rate on Gambling Winnings | 24% |
| State Tax Rate on Gambling Winnings | 2% to 5.75% (based on income) |
| Tax Withholding on Wins over Threshold | Automatically withheld |
Regulation of Skill Games in Virginia
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is working on a plan to legalize and tax skill games. The goal is to set clear rules for gambling in Virginia and limit the availability of these games. For instance, they might tax game machine earnings more and let local areas say no to the games. Also, they might not allow these games near certain places like churches and daycares.
Critics argue that these amendments effectively amount to a de facto ban on skill games hosted by small businesses.
People are talking a lot about these ideas. Some are for it, saying it could help the economy and let small businesses do better. But some small-business owners worry it could hurt their shops. They’re not so happy about the possible changes.
Supporters’ Perspective
Those in favor think letting businesses offer these games would be good. They say it could create more jobs and help the economy grow. This would also give the state more money for public services and roads.
Opponents’ Perspective
But not everyone is thrilled. There are concerns about what allowing more gambling might do, especially for small businesses. These folks think it could mean more challenges and less money for them. They worry these new rules could hurt their chances of success.
So, the discussion keeps going. Nobody’s exactly sure what will happen. However, it turns out that finding the right balance is tricky. This is about making sure good opportunities don’t come with bad results.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Potential economic benefits | Increased competition for small businesses |
| Job creation | Potential negative societal impact |
| Increased tax revenue | Concerns about gambling addiction |
Leaders need to consider all of this carefully and find a way to protect everyone’s interests, including small businesses and the whole community.
The Future of Gambling in Virginia
The future of gambling in Virginia is unsure. Legislators are debating the expansion and regulation of gambling, focusing on skill games and online casinos. These topics have sparked many discussions.
Opponents worry about the harm from skill games. However, advocates say these games can help small businesses grow and earn Virginia more money.
Initial laws regarding sports betting could pave the way for online casinos. However, the final decision depends on what legislators and the public decide.
Keep an eye out for updates on how Virginia’s gambling scene changes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Benefits for small businesses | Potential negative impacts |
| Revenue generation for the state | Opposition from the casino industry |
| Potential growth in tourism | Concerns about addiction and social issues |
Key insights:
- Virginia’s gambling scene is constantly under debate.
- Many think legalizing skill games would help small businesses and bring in money.
- However, some are worried about the downsides.
- People are talking about having online casinos in Virginia.
- But, the final rule will reflect what the law and the people think.
Conclusion
Gambling in Virginia is growing but complex. Some gambling, like in casinos and sports, is allowed. However, playing casino games online is not yet legal. The state is debating these rules a lot.
There is a big argument about adding more skill games to the mix. Some people want to make them legal but with conditions. Others think it could hurt small businesses. It’s a considerable, ongoing debate.
Virginia’s gambling future depends on what these debates lead to. Lawmakers need to think about making money and protecting people from possible risks. They also need to consider how these changes might affect the local economy and people with gambling problems. It’s a tough call, and they must carefully decide.
To be frank, Virginia’s patchwork isn’t chaos—it’s a roadmap. If you’re building product or affiliate strategy here, wire your stack for college restrictions, city-by-city retail rollouts, HHR nuance, and a possible iCasino pivot. Have you stress-tested your promos and payment rails for a world where online casinos arrive mid-season and regulators re-badge the agency overnight? If not, start there.
FAQ
Is gambling legal in Virginia?
Virginia’s gambling rules are complicated and changing. Some types, like commercial casinos and sports betting, are OK. However, offline casino gambling is not yet allowed.
What is the status of online gambling in Virginia?
In Virginia, you can’t gamble at online casinos yet. There was a try to change this in 2020, but it didn’t work. So, playing with real money online is not an option in the state for now.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Virginia?
You must be 21 to gamble in Virginia, including commercial casinos and sports betting. If you’re 18 or older, you can play the state lottery and bet on horse racing.
Are gambling winnings taxed in Virginia?
Yes, you’ll pay taxes if you win at gambling in Virginia. The federal tax is 24%. State taxes range from 2% to 5.75%, depending on your income. Any big wins will have taxes taken out right away.
What is the current regulation of skill games in Virginia?
In Virginia today, it’s illegal to have “gray machines” for gambling in places like truck stops and restaurants. There’s a ban on them since 2020. But, some want to change this and allow more of these machines.
What is the future of gambling in Virginia?
Virginia’s gambling future is up in the air. Lawmakers are debating on more gambling options, like skill games and online casinos. The possibility of allowing online casinos is one of the things in talks.
