Virginia's legal online sports betting market is highly regulated, and legality hinges on operator licensing. Understanding the distinction between sports betting and fantasy sports is crucial for compliance.
Licensed Virginia Sports Betting Apps
Legal mobile sportsbooks in Virginia operate under licenses granted by the Virginia Lottery Board. These platforms allow users to wager real money on sporting event outcomes (point spreads, moneylines, totals). Key legal operators include:
- Major national brands licensed in Virginia
- Platforms partnering with Virginia casinos
- Operators adhering to strict state regulations and geolocation
Using unlicensed offshore sportsbooks is illegal for Virginia residents. These lack state oversight, consumer protections, and contribute no tax revenue to Virginia.
Underdog Fantasy's Position
Underdog Fantasy is primarily a Daily Fantasy Sports operator. Under Virginia law (§ 58.1-4013 et seq.), paid-entry fantasy sports contests with cash prizes are expressly legal. Key points:
- Regulated: Operates legally under Virginia's Fantasy Contests Act.
- Model: Focuses on fantasy contests, primarily player pick'em style games, not traditional sports betting.
- No VA Sports Betting License: Underdog does not hold a Virginia sports betting license because its core product (DFS) is categorized differently by state law.
Key Differences & Consumer Protections
Licensed Virginia sports betting apps and legal DFS apps like Underdog are distinct:
- Product: Sportsbooks offer betting on game outcomes; DFS involves managing rosters or predicting player stats against others.
- Regulator: Sportsbooks regulated by Virginia Lottery; DFS regulated separately under the Fantasy Contests Act.
- Licensing: Different licenses are required (sports betting license vs. fantasy contest operator certificate).
- Taxes: Both contribute taxes/fees to Virginia, but under different structures.
Using licensed platforms ensures access to:
- Geolocation verification within Virginia borders.
- Problem gambling resources.
- Secure transactions and dispute resolution mechanisms.
What Virginia Fans Should Do
For Traditional Sports Betting: Only use mobile apps explicitly licensed for sports betting by the Virginia Lottery Board. Verify their license status on the official Virginia Lottery website.
For Fantasy Sports (Like Underdog): Using licensed DFS operators, including Underdog Fantasy, is legal in Virginia.
Avoid: Any platform not holding the relevant Virginia license for its offered product, particularly unregulated offshore sites.
Always practice responsible gaming, regardless of the platform type. Set limits and utilize available self-exclusion tools offered by licensed operators.
