Virginia sports wagering handle increases 13% during January 2025

The state’s AGR throughout the month was reported to be just under $81m, representing an increase of 20% year-over-year and having been primarily driven through mobile wagering.

The Virginia Lottery has reported the state’s sports wagering handle increased by 13% year-over-year during January 2025, with eligible bettors having placed nearly $736.7m in wagers throughout the period. 

Virginia bettors took home a total of $649.3m during January 2025, leading to an adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of just under $81m for the period, which equates to an increase of 20% from the prior year period. 

Mobile sports wagering accounted for the vast majority of the state’s sports betting handle for January 2025, generating $730.5m in bets and increasing by 13% year-over-year. Having produced nearly $80.1m of AGR throughout January 2025, the figure represents an increase of 20.3% from the prior year period. 

Retail sports wagering was unable to manage similar success, as the offering accounted for just $6.2m of the total handle reported for January 2025, representing a decrease of 6.9% year-over-year. In-person wagering generated $830.1k of AGR during the month, falling by 6% from the prior year period as mobile wagering continues to flourish in the state. 

Virginia law currently places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’s AGR, as operators contributed a total of $12.1m in taxes throughout January 2025. Just over $11.8m of the total was sent to Virginia’s General Fund, while $303.4k will go toward the state’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. 

Good to know: During January 2025, Virginia’s three casinos generated a combined total of almost $72.3m in adjusted gaming revenue, according to a report published by the Virginia Lottery on February 17

While mobile sports wagering continues to witness positive year-over-year results, lawmakers in Virginia recently decided to table action on a bill that would have brought legal iGaming to the state. 

The legislation in question was Senate Bill 827, pitched to lawmakers by Senator Mamie Locke, which would have given the Virginia Lottery Board authority to grant iGaming licenses to casino gaming operators.

Locke recently asked the Senate Subcommittee to hold off on the bill’s discussion due to a “need for additional study,” but expects the proposal to be ready for consideration by 2026.

Kirk Geller

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