PointsBet has launched its sportsbook in Virginia through its partnership with Colonial Downs — the state’s only horse racetrack — just three weeks after receiving a license to operate in the state from the Virginia Lottery.
The Australian gaming giant’s entry raises the number of operational sportsbooks in the Old Dominion to 11 — with two of those being currently licensed but not yet live. It also marks the eighth US state with a PointsBet Sportsbook, after successful launches in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
“We are thrilled to be launching in Virginia with our partner Colonial Downs, now bringing our best-in-market technology to such a passionate sports community,” said PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken. “Virginian sports bettors will now have access to the fastest online sports betting product with the most betting options, including robust in-play capabilities.”
The Virginia Lottery awarded PointsBet a temporary supplier license on November 23. Colonial Downs, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), has offices in four states, including Virginia.
P2E’s portfolio in Virginia includes Colonial Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, which operates off-track betting (OTB) parlors in Collinsville, Dumfries, Hampton, New Kent, Richmond, and Vinton. Rosie’s has begun construction on The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries and plans to open the first phase of the project in 2023.
“Colonial Downs Group is proud to partner with PointsBet, a premier sports betting platform and one of the most successful operators in the nation,” Colonial Downs Group COO Aaron Gomes said. “We are pleased to help bring this gaming option to our loyal customers and other gamers in Virginia.”
PointsBet also had “The Answer” on hand to welcome the operator to his home state: Allen Iverson. The NBA legend won a state basketball championship in 1993 while playing for Bethel High School in Hampton. Iverson has also been a long-time brand ambassador for PointsBet; their partnership began in October 2018.
Special Bet & Get Offer
To celebrate the sportsbook’s launch in the Old Dominion, PointsBet is offering its Bet & Get promotion to Virginia customers.
The promotion is a five-tiered game, where players will earn 10% of their cumulative wagers in Free Bets during the month of December. According to PointsBet, $500 in cumulative wagers during the month will earn a $50 Free Bet, while $1,000 in wagers will earn a $100 Free Bet. Additionally, a player who makes $2,500 in wagers will earn a $250 Free Bet, $5,000 wagered will earn a $500 Free Bet, and $10,000 in wagers will make a $1,000 Free Bet.
Players will be credited within 24 hours of reaching a new tier.
PointsBet said it plans to build brand awareness in Virginia through its partnership with NBC Sports, using the media company’s television and digital channels to reach local sports communities. Advertising for PointsBet Sportsbook has been appearing regularly on NBC Sports Regional Networks, including NBC Sports Washington, whose programming includes coverage of the Washington Capitals, Football Team, and Wizards.
Two VA Sportsbooks Yet to Launch
PointsBet wasn’t the only sportsbook that the Virginia Lottery awarded a license to this past November. Betway and 888 each got one, too, but neither sportsbook has launched yet.
888 has said it plans to launch a Sports Illustrated (SI)-branded sportsbook in Virginia. It will be the second state for SI Sportsbook, following a launch in Colorado in September. 888 entered into a partnership with SI’s parent, Authentic Brands Group, in June.
Under Virginia’s new gaming regimen, the Lottery could still issue one or two more additional mobile sports betting licenses before the end of the year. Handle 19, theScore Bet, and US Bookmaking could be among any future sportsbooks issued licenses, but the Lottery has kept the identities of its petitioners secret.
Of the 10 sportsbooks currently live in Virginia, five — BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel — were issued licenses by the Lottery last January and took their market live that same month.
The Lottery issued licenses to Bally’s, Golden Nugget, Penn National’s Barstool, and WynnBET in March, followed by Unibet in April. WynnBET took its sportsbook live in March. Unibet did likewise in April. Meanwhile, Barstool Sportsbook launched in Virginia in August, Golden Nugget went live in October and Bally Bet entered the fray in November.
Virginians wagered a record $427.3 million in October, up 45% from September, according to data from the Lottery.
