How FanDuel Became The Early King Of Sports Betting At Virginia Sportsbooks

Written By Dann Stupp on April 27, 2021Last Updated on June 1, 2021
With a key partnership and a big pocketbook, FanDuel Sportsbook has taken the crown as the early king of Virginia sports betting.

FanDuel has emerged as the frontrunner in Virginia sports betting, thanks to a significant financial backing and a strategic partnership.

FanDuel has dominated the Virginia sports betting market, processing over 50% of the total sports betting handle in the first two months since its legalization.

During a virtual meeting, Virginia Lottery officials gave a presentation to the Lottery Board, addressing the growing sports-betting industry.

From the market launch on Jan. 21 until the end of March, Virginians placed bets totaling $628.7 million. Out of these bets, FanDuel claimed the majority with 53%, while DraftKings, its main competitor, lagged behind with 24%.

Visit FanDuel Sportsbook

$2,500
No Sweat First Bet
Up to $2,500 No Sweat First Bet
Available on Desktop, Android & iOS  
To Claim: Click Play Now

"}” data-sheets-userformat=”{"2":6659,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,16777215],"12":0,"14":[null,2,0],"15":"Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"}”>

Rank
Sportsbooks
Bonus
Features
Play
1
125% WELCOME BONUS
Up to $1250 to bet on sports
250% Slots + Table Bonus
150 Free Spins On Gorilla Or Buffalo Ways
50 Daily Boost For Your Massive Wins
Grab your 175% + 50 free spins
2
UP TO $1,250
On Caesars
Stream NFL Games In App For Free
+ Get 1,000 Caesars Reward & $1,000 Tier Credits
Redeem for Bet Credits, Hotel Stays, & More!
Use Promo Code: LEGALFULL
5
$2,500
No Sweat First Bet
Up to $2,500 No Sweat First Bet
Available on iOS, Android & Desktop
To Claim: Click Bet Now
6
Bet $1
GET $200
In Bonus Bets
Bet $1, Get $200 Win or Lose
Sign Up, Deposit and Play Today in VA!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+ 
To Claim: Click Bet Now
7
In Bonus Bets
UP TO $1,000
Free Live Streaming - Watch Live Games
$1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
Use Bonus Code: PLAYBONUS

FanDuel leverages WFT partnership

On January 21, FanDuel was launched in partnership with the Washington Football Team, making Old Dominion the 19th state (along with Washington, DC) to establish a functional sports-betting market.

Following this, the Virginia Lottery has granted permits to a total of 10 sportsbook operators, with six of them currently accepting wagers.

Nevertheless, FanDuel gained a significant advantage due to its association with the NFL’s Washington team, which is headquartered in Virginia. As a result, the Virginia Lottery was obligated to provide “considerable and preferred treatment,” as outlined in the state’s sports betting legislation, to professional sports franchises based in Virginia.

DraftKings, the second sportsbook in Virginia, was introduced on January 23. Soon after, BetMGM (January 27), BetRivers (January 27), William Hill (February 2), and WynnBET (March 11) followed suit.

From January 21 to March 31, let’s take a glance at the sports-betting handle in Virginia, categorized by operator.

To obtain the latest update on the betting handle breakdown by operator, we might have to wait for the Virginia Lottery Board meetings as the VA Lotto monthly revenue reports do not provide this information.

Virginians snag millions of dollars in bonuses

The tax revenue that voters were promised in Virginia has not been achieved yet, but there is a strong possibility that it will be realized in due course.

Like any emerging sports betting market, sportsbooks prioritize enrolling new players and invest substantially in acquiring these initial customers.

Prior to its official launch, FanDuel made a commitment to new customers by offering a $100 sign-up bonus, without requiring any initial deposit. As soon as the sportsbook was introduced in VA on Jan. 21, those players were instantly provided with $100 worth of bets to wager.

Unsurprisingly, FanDuel has significantly outspent its competitors, as evident from the $30 million in promotions distributed by VA sportsbooks. Furthermore, FanDuel takes the lead in this regard, having spent nearly $13 million.

From the launch until the end of March, Virginia sportsbooks paid a total of $1.5 million in taxes. Nevertheless, these taxes are calculated based on the adjusted gross revenue (AGR), which is determined by subtracting the total winnings and authorized expenses (such as player bonuses and customer-acquisition promotions) from the total wagers.

FanDuel gets creative with promotions

When it comes to promotions, FanDuel has taken the lead in Virginia by offering innovative choices.

Certainly, FanDuel has inundated the entire commonwealth with billboards, TV, radio, and various other advertisements. Similarly, other sportsbooks have done the same. All of them entice customers with generous initial deposit bonuses, ranging from hundreds to even thousands of dollars.

However, in order to stand out amidst all that noise, FanDuel has also implemented some traditional betting promotions.

Officials announced during the Virginia Lottery Board meeting that a significant portion of sports-betting wagers in Virginia are directed towards NCAA and NBA games. FanDuel has capitalized on this enthusiasm through various promotions, among other strategies.

In addition, FanDuel offers a wide range of betting options encompassing various leagues and organizations. Whether it’s the major leagues like NFL, MLB, and NBA, or more specialized ones such as PGA Tour, National Rugby League, or WNBA, FanDuel accommodates bets on all of them.

FanDuel has rightfully claimed the top position in the Virginia sports-betting industry due to its effective strategies, including early market access, substantial promotional investments, innovative betting promotions, and a diverse range of betting choices.

Dann Stupp Avatar
Written by

Dann Stupp

Dann Stupp, a seasoned sports journalist, has contributed to reputable publications such as The Athletic, USA Today, ESPN, MLB.com, and various other platforms throughout his career. Currently residing in Lexington, Virginia.

View all posts by Dann Stupp