Virginians can gamble on online sports and visit land-based casinos. However, they will have to wait longer for real-money online casino games, which are still illegal in the Old Dominion State. Instead, sweepstakes casinos allow you to play thousands of online casino games for free. Read this complete guide written by our casino experts, learn about the legal landscape, find VA’s best sweepstakes casinos, and claim a welcome bonus.
RTP: 97.96%
Payout: 1-2 days
Games: 650+
RTP: 96.49%
Payout: 1-3 days
Games: 1,800+
RTP: 96.01%
Payout: 1-3 days
Games: 1,200+
RTP: 96.59%
Payout: 0-24 hours
Games: 3,000+
RTP: 96.50%
Payout: 3-10 business days
Games: 1,400+
RTP: 96.80%
Payout: 2-10 days
Games: 1,500+
RTP: 97.82%
Payout: 1-3 days
Games: 1,400+
RTP: 96%
Payout: 3-5 days
Games: 1,300+
RTP: 97.10%
Payout: 2-3 days
Games: 700+
RTP: 98.40%
Payout: 1-3 days
Games: 1,200+
Social casinos are taking the US by storm, and many are available. So, how can you tell the best sweepstakes casinos from the rest? We are constantly testing sweepstakes casinos and have listed below some top brands you should check out.
97.96%
RTP
Crown Coins has quickly risen in the ranks to become one of the most popular and well-reviewed sweepstakes casinos in the industry. A Trustpilot rating of 4.6 from over 167,000 reviews stems from the community's love for its user-friendly experience, and a vast amount of promotions and bonuses to win free GC.
Those lucky enough to become VIPs can also enjoy six tiers of loyalty rewards, with the coinback reward being one of our top VIP perks around.
Read reviewSweepstakes Expert
Pros
Generous no deposit bonus higher than Ace, McLuck and others
Up to 280,000 GC daily progressive bonus over 30 days
iOS app with 4.8 stars and over 53,000 reviews on the App Store
Cons
No tournaments offered, unlike Lonestar and RealPrize
Chat support uses an AI agent, longer waits for a human agent
96.49%
RTP
The pirate adventure theme is a standout feature at Big Pirate and is only matched by the cartoon theme at Hello Millions. We’re fans of how the meta games on the site sometimes feel like you’re playing a video game by building up your island resources, with coins as a reward for your hard work! You can even launch an attack on your fellow players' resources, with the winner claiming a nice bonus.
While the lack of a mobile app is disappointing, especially compared to McLuck's bespoke apps, the mobile browser site is fully optimized and suffers from next to no issues. We hope an iOS and Android app will be added in the near future, so players are more comfortable playing on the go.
Read reviewSweepstakes Expert
Pros
Games from top software developers such as Hacksaw Gaming
1,500 slots, including Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest
Apple Pay and Google Pay for purchases on the go
Lower minimum cash redemption ($50) than Crown Coins ($100)
Cons
Minimum coin package ($3.99) is higher than Lonestar ($2.99)
Too many low RTP slots
New player feedback is hard to come by
96.01%
RTP
The no deposit bonus at Funrize is a great option for new players, offering 125,000 Tournament Coins, which exceed many competitors' offers, such as LoneStar and RealPrize (100,000 coins). Be aware that the Funrize currency system differs from a traditional sweepstakes casino: Tournament Coins act as Gold Coins, and Promotional Entries act as Sweeps Coins, but they work the same way. This makes it slightly more complicated, which we don’t feel is necessary.
The recurring bonuses and promotions are great, especially the Adventure Map mechanic, which is also well-received by many players in Virginia. However, we noticed that users on Trustpilot and Reddit have encountered issues with redemption speeds and difficulty finding answers to common queries, as the site lacks a FAQ page.
Read reviewSweepstakes Expert
Pros
Generous first purchase bonus offering up to 400% extra, including 2 million TC and 100 free PE
Allows two-factor authentication for extra safety and security
No deposit bonus offers more coins on sign-up (125k) than Crown Coins (100k)
Offers a seven-tier VIP program with exclusive perks, unlike MegaBonanza
Cons
Limited purchase methods compared to Stake.us, which also includes Bitcoin
4.1 Trustpilot rating is lower than both McLuck (4.2) and Hello Millions (4.3)
Daily wheel spin is luck-based, so you may only win a small amount of coins
96.59%
RTP
Stake.us is one of the very best sweepstakes casinos in Virginia thanks to its massive library of games and crypto-friendly purchase options. With more than 3,000 games available, Stake.us has far more games than Crown Coins (650+) or McLuck (1,300+). We love the Stake Originals including live dealer games and innovative titles like Plinko.
Cryptocurrency is the primary supported purchase and redemption method here, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, Stake has recently added credit and debit card payments for players who are not crypto-friendly.
Read reviewSweepstakes Casino Expert
Pros
Crypto redemptions often process within 1 hour
Exclusive games and huge library of 3,000+ titles
Credit/debit card payment options recently added
Cons
Only available in 31 states, unlike Lonestar or RealPrize
No phone support available, unlike Ace or Crown Coins
96%
RTP
McLuck’s live dealer studio brings an authentic casino experience to the comfort of your desktop or mobile! Live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are all available, providing dealer interactions you’d often find at a land-based casino in Virginia. There are also over 1,300 other games to choose from, including the popular Megaways and Hold & Win slots.
McLuck also provides an app for both iOS and Android users. Other sweeps casinos, such as Lonestar, don’t provide an app at all, so it’s refreshing to see a strong focus on mobile users. The app is slick, simple to use, and easy to browse for your chosen game.
Read reviewSweepstakes Casino Expert
Pros
Mobile app available for iOS and Android, unlike Ace, Lonestar, and RealPrize
Generous VIP program available, offering perks like coin boosts and free GC
Gift card redemptions start at just 10 SC, far lower than RealPrize (45 SC)
Cons
Sign-up bonus is smaller than Stake, Lonestar, and Crown Coins
Live chat support is only available after making a purchase
Many legal games can still be enjoyed at land-based casinos. Current laws allow five cities in VA to build casinos, and several locations throughout the state now offer real-money casino gambling.
Playing casino games without risking your own money provides safe entertainment, but adding the chance to win real money brings a new dimension of excitement to the gameplay experience. Popular slot titles, progressive jackpots, table games like blackjack, poker, baccarat, and live dealer experiences are available at the best sweepstakes casinos.
Virginia is home to legal sports betting and casino gaming, although real-money online casino gaming is still prohibited. The current laws allow for up to five land-based casinos, with several throughout the state. However, cities must approve a casino by public vote before it can acquire a license.
Aside from gambling at land-based casinos, Virginia residents can also enjoy betting on sports. Both retail and online sports betting are available in VA, with up to 12 online sportsbooks able to be licensed by the Virginia Lottery Board. Anyone over 21 can bet on various sporting events, including college sports.
Online casinos are currently not legal in Virginia; however, iGaming proposals have continued to surface in the state’s General Assembly as recently as January 2026. While we cannot predict which way the law will go on real-money gambling in Virginia, we can recommend excellent sweepstakes platforms which operate using a no-purchase-necessary model.
It’s easy to start playing at sweepstakes casinos in Virginia. You’ll have to sign up to play, but creating an account is straightforward. All you have to do is follow these steps:
Virginia sweepstakes casinos accept a range of payment methods for purchasing coins. Before you choose a method, check the minimum and maximum limits and any fees or redemption waiting times.
Sweepstake casinos let you play for free, with free coins awarded to your account upon sign-up. However, you can also purchase additional coins to play for longer and give yourself a greater chance of winning prizes. To purchase coins, you’ll need to link a valid redemption method. Here’s how:

The legal minimum age for gambling in Virginia is 21, with no players under this age allowed to sign up and bet at online sportsbooks. However, Virginia sweepstakes casinos often let players sign up if they’re at least 18. You’ll need to create an account before you can play, and you may need to verify your age.

Real-money online casinos in Virginia aren’t legal, but sweepstakes and social casinos still have to follow US gambling law requirements. You’ll need to create an account before you can start playing and complete the verification process. This involves entering your full details and verifying your phone or email address. You may also need to upload a copy of your ID.

The Virginia Lottery Board regulates sportsbook betting and land-based casinos in Virginia. It was established in 1987 to govern the lottery and now licenses all retail and online real-money gambling in VA. However, sweepstakes casinos are not licensed or regulated by the state.
It’s important to understand that not all casinos you can play online are safe. There are many unsafe casinos that don’t have the same player protections from the ones we recommend.
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Playing online casino games can be fun, mainly thanks to bonuses. These rewards include free spins, welcome offers for new players, no deposit bonuses, deposit match offers, and more. Promotions are an excellent way to increase your bankroll and get more out of casino gaming. You can test more games, develop your gaming strategy, and redeem your winnings if you comply with bonus terms.
Welcome bonuses are exclusive to new players and are usually the most lucrative casino offers. However, many casinos offer loyalty rewards, too. Matched deposit bonuses are often included in a welcome offer, and free spins are commonly awarded to new and existing players.
Crown Coins
Up to 2,400,000 CC + 114 Free SC + 18 Free Spins
Welcome package / First purchase bonus
Wagering
1x
Min purchase
$1.99
Valid
48 hours
BigPirate
150% extra on First Purchase: Get up to GC 360k + 27 Diamonds + 1 Claw + 3 Rum
Welcome package / First purchase bonus
Wagering
1x
Min purchase
$9.99
Valid
-
Funrize
125,000 Coins + 10,000 FREE Entries
Welcome package / First purchase bonus
Wagering
1x
Min purchase
$2.99
Valid
N/A
Casino gaming is no longer confined to a land-based casino's walls, thanks to advanced mobile technology that allows you to enjoy your favorite games from anywhere. Nearly all sweepstakes casino websites are built with HTML5 technology, which makes them responsive and customizable to mobile devices. Many casinos also offer a downloadable app, which you can install on your device for more convenient access.
If you have an Android device, you can install and play at any of the following casino apps, all of which are available from the Google Play Store:
iOS users also get to enjoy casino gaming apps. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can download any of the following iPhone casino apps from the App Store:
Online gambling may be relatively new, but gambling isn’t. People have been playing casino games and wagering on events for decades. However, the laws have changed a lot over time.
Here are some key dates in the timeline of gambling in Virginia:
Charitable gambling is legalized.
Following a vote, the Virginia Lottery is established. A year later, the first lottery ticket is sold.
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is legalized.
The Virginia Lottery Board launches a mobile app that allows players to purchase state lottery tickets via Bluetooth when tethered to a retail location.
The General Assembly legalizes sports betting and casinos. The state creates a problem gambling and support fund.
The first licensed sportsbooks begin accepting real money wagers on sports.
Norfolk, Danville, Portsmouth, and Bristol Voters pass referenda to allow casinos to operate in these locations.
The first legal casinos open their doors in Virginia.
Virginia social casinos are a great legal option for VA players, as they are available and allow you to enjoy thousands of casino games online. However, some players may be tempted to seek their casino thrills elsewhere.
Offshore online casinos are platforms that aren’t based in the US and don’t follow the same rules and regulations. Although they’re not licensed in VA, they’re still often licensed by other regulators, such as the Curacao Gaming Control Board.
Signing up for an offshore casino can be tempting, as they offer real money casino games and attractive bonuses. However, doing so could put your information and finances at risk. When you play at offshore sites, they don’t follow US regulations and could be unsafe. If you want peace of mind when you play, choosing a legal and licensed online casino is best.
Virginia legalized land-based casinos in 2020, and several cities throughout the state held referendums to decide whether or not to allow casinos to establish themselves. So far, four casinos have opened their doors, though more could open in the future.
Real-money online casinos are still not legal in Virginia. Still, sweepstakes casinos that don’t adhere to the restrictions of real-money casinos are widely available in Virginia and are safe to play online and via mobile apps.
Sweepstakes and social casinos are legal as they do not offer real-money gaming. Therefore, they are widely available in most US states, including VA, and are safe, fair, and trustworthy.
It all depends on personal preference. Our casino experts have tested and listed the best options in this guide, such as Crown Coins and Stake.us.
While most sweepstakes casinos are safe and trustworthy, some are better than others. This is why we test every casino based on strict criteria and recommend only the most trusted sweepstakes operators to you.
Yes. It’s possible to claim bonuses at Virginia sweepstakes casinos. Most sites offer a range of bonuses, including a sign-up bonus, coin purchase bundles, log-in bonuses, referral bonuses, and more.
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