Confusion in the air caused premature excitement for Virginia bettors and sportsbooks awaiting the launch of legal sports betting in the state.
FanDuel Sportsbook tweeted Wednesday that it would go live in the state in “less than 24 hours,” but the company’s message was the first word of any launch date.
- FanDuel users in Virginia also received activation emails with language indicating a Jan. 21 launch.
- After the tweet was posted, the sportsbook amended the launch timeline to “soon.”
The Virginia Lottery released a statement clarifying that FanDuel was approved for the state’s first sports betting permit through its partnership with the Washington Football Team.
The agency said that decisions on additional permits are “imminent” and that it expects that more than one sportsbook will be able to accept legal wagers in time for Super Bowl LV. Twenty-five sports betting operators applied in October to launch in Virginia.
The potential launch comes after a failed first attempt to legalize sports betting in the state in 2019.
The practice was eventually passed last year with backing from pro sports teams and neighboring states.
However, Virginia bettors cannot wager on Virginia college teams or the Olympics.
![ESPN Bet broadcasts inside the PGA Tour Studios building in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on March 14, 2025. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_25668497_168416386_lowres-1-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
