Rise in Sports Wagering in Virginia

Virginia, October 3, 2025

News Summary

Virginia experienced a notable surge in sports wagering in August, with total handle reaching over $510 million—a 22.4% increase from the previous year. Mobile operators dominated the market, contributing significantly to the state’s adjusted gross revenue. The increase in gaming activity reflects a growing acceptance of sports betting in the state, bolstered by additional authorized operators. The reported revenues also highlight a successful month for Virginia casinos, which saw overall gaming revenue rise substantially.

Richmond, Virginia – Virginians reported a substantial increase in sports wagering in August 2025, with a total handle reaching $510,179,552. This figure marks a 22.4% rise in sports betting compared to August 2024. The surge is attributed to the growing number of authorized operators, which includes fourteen mobile operators and three casino venues that accepted sports wagers throughout the month.

During August 2025, bettors won $447,299,369, resulting in a 12.33% hold for operators. Mobile operators accounted for the vast majority of the wagers, generating $506,278,964 in gross wagers, while casinos only contributed $3,900,589. After accounting for winnings and operational deductions, the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) totaled $58,281,044. Of this, $57,342,148 came from mobile operators, and $938,895 was generated by casinos.

The state collected $8.7 million in tax from sports wagering AGR, with 97.5% allocated to Virginia’s General Fund and the remaining 2.5% earmarked for the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. Notably, Virginia’s established casinos—hard Rock Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Caesars Virginia—generated a combined gaming revenue of $84.8 million in August, reflecting a significant 34.3% increase year-over-year. Casino revenue also saw a slight rise of 0.1% compared to July 2025.

The casino revenue broke down into $65.5 million from slot machines and $19.2 million from table games. Caesars Virginia’s AGR totaled $34.5 million, which included $26.6 million from slots and $8 million from table games. Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported an AGR of $28 million, with $20.4 million from slots and $7.6 million from table games. Hard Rock Bristol recorded an AGR of $22.3 million, producing $18.6 million from slots and $3.7 million from table games.

Overall, mobile operator activities generated $57.3 million in AGR, while retail betting produced $938,895. The average monthly gaming hold was 11.43%, with ten operators reporting positive adjusted gross revenues for August, contributing beneficially to state tax payments.

Further analysis reveals that Virginia’s mobile betting revenues experienced an impressive 65.9% increase for August 2025, with payouts to bettors summing approximately $444.4 million. The sports betting handle reflected an 18.8% increase compared to July 2025, predominantly driven by online betting which accounted for nearly all the total handle.

In terms of payouts, only $2.9 million was not returned to bettors from the aggregate winnings in sports betting during this month.

Background on Virginia’s Gaming Industry

Virginia has been expanding its sports betting and casino operations since legalizing the industry in recent years. This growth reflects changing attitudes towards gambling, with a significant push to increase funds for public services through taxation on gaming revenues. The sports betting landscape in Virginia has become increasingly competitive, with more operators entering the market providing a wide selection of options for consumers.

Frequency of Revenue Reports

Reports on sports betting and casino revenues are typically released each month, offering insights into the spending behaviors of Virginians and the financial performance of authorized operators. These financial metrics not only help gauge the economic impact of gaming within the state but also assist policymakers in assessing regulatory frameworks and funding allocations.

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Additional Resources

• iGaming Business
• Wikipedia: Virginia Lottery
• Gaming America
• Google Search: Virginia Sports Betting
• Rocktown Now
• Google Scholar: Virginia Sports Betting
• Route Fifty
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia Sports Betting
• Intergame Online
• Google News: Virginia Sports Betting

Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER

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