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Virginia Sports Wagering Sees December Dip

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Publish Date: Feb 01, 2026

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

The end of the year in the Old Dominion State saw a dip in sports wagering handle.

The Virginia Lottery released its official December report on sports wagering activity on Friday, Jan. 30 with Virginians wagering more than $710.94 million in handle, an $87.93 million decrease than $798.87 million reported in November.

Over the final three months of 2025, the state saw a total sports wagering handle of over $2.341 billion. In October, the state saw a record handle of $831.56 million.

14 mobile sports betting operators, along with three casinos, were authorized to accept wagers in December.

State bettors took home an overall total of $627.53 million for a combined 11.73% hold, a nice 5% increase than last December.

Virginia law implements a 15% tax on sports betting activity based upon each operator's adjusted gross revenue (AGR).

In December, $11.9 million was back into the state coffers.

State tax revenue from sports wagering is allocated to the following: the state's General Fund (97.5%) and the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund (2.5%).

In-State College Sports Wagering Soon?

Virginia allows college sports wagering, but not on in-state collegiate teams. That could change however after a bill was introduced in the state House on Thursday, Jan. 29 by state representative Garrett McGuire (D, 17th District).

HB 1527 would approve in-state college sports wagering on the state's NCAA Division I schools, while taxing the state's operators a 50% tax of the gross revenue that is generated on those wagers.

There are 14 Division I programs in the state: George Mason, Hampton, James Madison, Liberty, Longwood, Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Radford, Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia, VMI, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary.

Currently, the bill is awaiting to be assigned to a committee for further discussion.

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