FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia Goes Live as Lone Betting App

FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia has gone live as the only sportsbook for an unexpected early launch of online sports betting in Virginia.

This means bettors in Virginia can now sign up for and bet with FanDuel.

How To Sign Up For FanDuel Sportsbook in Virginia

Bettors will have only one option if they want to bet on the NFL conference championship games this weekend in Virginia: FanDuel Sportsbook.

Getting signed up with FanDuel is relatively straightforward and easy:

Click here to sign up
Choose “Virginia” from the state dropdown list
Enter your registration info
Make a deposit and place your first bet

Some online sportsbooks require personal information to verify age and identity. New users may be asked to provide their social security number or even driver’s license number. While somewhat of a heavy lift, this is normal– users can be assured information entered is safe and secure as FanDuel (and other operators) go through significant security checks with state regulators.

FanDuel Sportsbook Unexpected Launch in Virginia

https://twitter.com/FDSportsbook/status/1352337378485161985

Virginia legalized sports betting about six months ago and open the wagering floodgates in time for the NFC and AFC championship games this week.

The launch comes somewhat unexpected as many thought Virginia regulators would take several more weeks or months before approving an online sportsbook to launch in the state, potentially missing the Super Bowl betting window.

But on Wednesday night, FanDuel put out a Tweet declaring their 5 p.m. launch on the 21st. It was quickly removed and replaced with a message from their new spokesperson Erin Dolan, announcing the FanDuel would launch its sportsbook in Virginia on Thursday. They officially launched around 2 p.m.

Typically, regulators take time to set up a system to handle the legalization of sports betting. There needs to be a means to do quality assurance, geo-location checks, and confirm that operators are offering fair and legitimate action.

But most of these kinks, to the extent there were any, were hammered out in other states, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which provided a blueprint for Virginia and other new gambling states to copy.

What’s more, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the leading betting brands, and there is no doubt their Virginia product will be up to their usual excellent standards.

More To Come

What’s that mean for FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia’s chief competitors like DraftKings and FanDuel?

Well, according to sources we spoke to, both were aware of and caught off-guard by FanDuel’s announcement. Though the operators have plans to be live soon, that will not be the case prior to this weekend at least. We’re told FanDuel Sportsbook will indeed be Virginia’s only betting app this weekend.

But there is an even bigger sporting event just around the corner: the Super Bowl.

DraftKings and BetMGM will now furiously attempt to launch in VA ahead of the big game. In all states, the move to launch online sports betting is followed by a flurry of registered apps entering the market. Virginia should be no different.

FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia had a leg-up on the competition due to its partnership with the Washington Football team, according to state regulators. That’s the first time we’ve seen that sort of advantage wielded to gain early entry to market.

You can sign up here to receive a $1,000 risk-free bet from FanDuel Sportsbook in Virginia.