Safe Sports Betting Virginia

Online sports betting went live and legal in Virginia in April of 2022. Since then, loads of great sportsbooks have made their way onto the scene. But how can you tell which are legit? Well, look no further! 

On this page, we’ll show you everything you need to know about safe sports betting in VA, including: 

• How to identify safe betting sites and avoid phishing sites  
• Tips for keeping your personal details secure and protecting your privacy  
• How to sign up to Virginia’s safe betting sites from your phone or computer  
• The most secure ways to make deposits and withdrawals

For general information about the types of wagers you can make, and which sports you can bet on, check out our main Sports Betting in Virginia page.

To learn more about the legalities of online sports betting, head on over to our Legal Sports Betting in Virginia page. 

And finally, make sure not to miss our Best Sports Betting in Virginia page, where we spill the beans on where to find the most generous welcome bonuses and unmissable promotions! 

Top safe betting sites in Virginia

Caesars Sportsbook

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bet365 Sportsbook

Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets

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BetMGM Sportsbook

Up To $1,500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back

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DraftKings Sportsbook

Get a Play-Through Bonus up to $1,000

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BetRivers Sportsbook

2nd Chance Bet Up To $500

Promo code: SPORTS

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Is sports betting in Virginia safe?

If you’re playing at one of the sites showcased here on Betting America, then yes! 

All the Virginia betting platforms we feature are regulated and overseen by the Virginia Lottery. Aside from many other requirements, the sites they issue licenses to have to comply with all applicable state and federal requirements for data security.

In other words, if you play at one of the safe betting sites shown here, the law is on your side. More than that, it’s in every site’s best interest to make sure they use the most advanced security technology available. After all, they don’t want to risk losing their license!   

That said, like with so many online activities, safe sports betting starts with staying vigilant and following some common-sense rules:

1. Never click suspicious links. If you’re not sure a link comes from a genuine source, rather Google the platform you’re looking for and go through their home page. 
2. Make sure the URL matches what you searched for, and that the little padlock appears next to the site address. 
3. Keep your antivirus software up to date.
4. Be aware that phishing websites can look really convincing. It’s always better to bookmark a safe site so you easily return to it. 
5. Use two-factor authentication wherever possible. This way, even if someone does get their hands on your password, they still can’t access your account with this information alone.

How we select our safe sports betting platforms in Virginia

So how do we decide who gets a spot on our list of the top safe sports betting sites in Virginia? In order to qualify for inclusion, a betting operator needs to:

• Make use of encryption to protect player privacy. 
• Be easy to contact if players have questions or concerns. 
• Make it simple for winners to withdraw their funds. 
• Come backed by lots of good reviews from real players. 
• Be fully up to date with all legal and legislative requirements in Virginia. 
• Have a clean auditing track record and use the latest security protocols. 
• Provide clear instructions and explanations of wagering requirements.  

These are just some of the ways Betting America vets our safe betting sites before we recommend them to you!

How to get started with safe sports betting in Virginia

You can set up a new account by going to the website of your chosen Virginia sportsbook via desktop or laptop and following the steps for new customers. 

Alternatively, you can download the sportsbook’s app on your iPhone or Android device and complete the registration process within the app itself.

SAFE SPORT BETTING FAQs

Find out how to download a safe sports betting app, and make secure deposits and withdrawals below.

WHAT ARE THE SAFEST VIRGINIA SPORTSBOOK DEPOSIT METHODS?

There are a wide range of deposit methods for funding your Virginia sports betting account safely. For many people the easiest option is a credit or debit card. E-Wallets such as PayPal or Skrill have become an increasingly popular choice in recent times. Prepaid cards, eChecks and online banking are also commonly available.

Credit/Debit Cards:

Most sportsbooks accept these for deposits. Options may be restricted to Visa and Mastercard. Some banks may block these transactions as they don’t allow deposits onto any type of gambling site despite the legalization of U.S. sports betting in 2018.

Electronic Wallets:

Availability is dependent on the individual app/site but established eWallets such as PayPal or Skrill are an option on some sportsbooks. You can only withdraw using eWallets if you deposited with the same method first. Deposits usually process immediately.

Bank Transfer:

Sports bettors can deposit by sending money directly from their bank accounts.

Prepaid Cards:

These are like gift cards that players can use similarly to credit/debit cards to deposit any amount up to the value of the card. You can also withdraw to the prepaid card.

PayNearMe:

Some sportsbooks offer this deposit-only method however you cannot withdraw via PayNearMe. You simply select it as your deposit option with the sportsbook, then decide on the amount you would like to deposit and the sportsbook sends you a unique barcode. You can then go to your nearest 7-Eleven/CVS/Family Dollar where the cashier will scan the barcode and you pay them the amount of the deposit. Typically, your deposit will process within 15 minutes and is then available to use on the sportsbook.

Check:

You can deposit and withdraw using electronic check (eCheck) and you can withdraw by paper check. Typically, you cannot deposit directly to a sportsbook using a regular paper check. With eChecks, after a player requests their bank to transfer money from their bank account into a sportsbook, the request is first passed through a clearing house before the funds are transferred.

SAFE VIRGINIA SPORTSBOOK WITHDRAWAL METHODS

Typically, there are fewer options for withdrawing and it takes longer than depositing. The most common form of withdrawal is by check, paper or eCheck. If you want to withdraw by a particular method you must first have used that same method to deposit. This practice is common among safe betting sites, as it ensures the funds go to the person who opened the account and no-one else.

IS VIRGINIA ONLINE SPORTS BETTING SAFE?

Yes. Once you sign up with a regulated sportsbook that is approved by the Virginia Lottery, it is completely safe.

HOW TO SIGN UP TO A SAFE SPORTS BETTING APP IN VIRGINIA

To ensure you don’t miss out on a new account bonus, locate a promo code or follow one of the “Get Bonus” links near the top of this page. Each Virginia sportsbook has its own unique offer to attract new users. Remember, only ever follow links you know you can trust, like ours!

– iPhone:

Choose a sportsbook and follow the links to their website. You will be directed to the App Store download page. When you have installed the app on your iPhone or iPad simply follow the registration instructions provided.

– Android:

Real money gaming apps are now also available for Android users in the Google Play Store. Follow the links to your chosen sportsbook’s website and you will be directed to the Play Store. Download and install the app and follow the instructions to complete your registration.

WHAT DETAILS DO I NEED TO SET UP A SAFE ONLINE SPORTS BETTING ACCOUNT?

• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Social Security Number (last 4 digits)
• ID may be required to verify your account

Safe betting sites will always ask for this information, because they are required to by law. If a site doesn’t, that’s a big red flag! 

Thanks for reading. We know you’ll get lots of excitement and enjoyment at Virginia’s many safe sports betting providers!

Remember, you can learn more about getting started and making your first wager on our main Sports Betting in Virginia page, and discover the interesting history of sports wagering on our Legal Sports Betting in Virginia page. 

And if you’d like to get your hands on the biggest welcome bonuses and most exciting special offers, then you definitely don’t want to miss our Best Sports Betting in Virginia page!