Virginians spend $688M in January sports wagers

Virginians bet about $687.95 million on sports in January, winning more than $608.4 million, according to Virginia Lottery data released last week. That’s about 6.6% less than the $736.67 million they wagered in January 2025.

About $683.94 million of January’s gross sports gaming revenues came from mobile operators, with the remaining roughly $4.01 million coming from casino retail activity. Virginia currently has three permanent casinos: the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Caesars Virginia in Danville.

Casino development continues in the commonwealth. Construction on the $750 million Norfolk casino began in February 2025. In Petersburg, the $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia held a groundbreaking in March 2025. Norfolk opened the temporary Interim Gaming Hall in November 2025, while Cordish Cos. opened its temporary casino in Petersburg in January.

In January, the state’s casinos reported a total of $81.07 million in adjusted gaming revenues.

The licensed operators included in January’s sports revenue reporting were:

• Betfair Interactive US (FanDuel) in partnership with the Washington Commanders
• Crown Virginia Gaming (Draft Kings)
• BetMGM
• Rivers Portsmouth Gaming (Rivers Casino Portsmouth)
• Caesars Virginia
• Bally’s Interactive
• Penn Sports Interactive
• Colonial Downs Group
• HR Bristol
• Hillside (Virginia)
• PlayLive Virginia
• Sporttrade Virginia

Virginia places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’s adjusted gross revenue (total wagers minus total winnings and other authorized deductions). With 12 operators reporting net positive AGR for January, state taxes for the month totaled nearly $11.25 million.

Of that, 97.5% — about $10.97 million — will be deposited in the state’s general fund. The remaining $281,194 will go to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund Allocation, which the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services administers.