On Thursday, Jan. 21, Virginians were able to make their first legal sports wagers after FanDuel’s online sportsbook went live, just in time for the Super Bowl.
FanDuel’s permit was officially granted Wednesday after the Virginia General Assembly approved sports gambling in March 2020, allowing companies to receive sports gambling licenses from the Virginia Lottery.
FanDuel Sportsbook is through a partnership with the Washington Football Team, which was granted “substantial and preferred consideration” by the Virginia General Assembly. Major league sports franchises and casinos are given preferred treatment due to their financial contributions to the state.
“We’re honored to partner with an iconic sports franchise, and we plan to deliver the most fan-focused, and secure, mobile sports betting experience to the passionate sports fans of Virginia,” said FanDuel CEO Matt King in a statement.
On Sunday, Jan. 24, DraftKings Inc. announced the launch of DraftKings Sportsbook in Virginia. Following behind, BetMGM Sportsbook will launch its online sports betting on Wednesday, Jan. 27, sources tell The Action Network.
Virginia is the 20th state/jurisdiction (including Washington D.C.) to offer legal sports gambling.
Currently, sports gambling in Virginia is exclusively online, however brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are allowed under the regulations. Additional license approvals for other gambling companies are ongoing.