The Hard Rock’s recent launch in Virginia has brought the total number of sports betting operators in the state to twelve.
With its recent launch, Hard Rock VA has now become the 12th sportsbook in Virginia, known for its association with Hard Rock.
Hard Rock obtained an official sports betting permit from the Virginia Lottery on March 31. Soon after, it commenced its operations in Old Dominion.
The sportsbook is currently functioning in four states within the United States.
Hard Rock launch is first of 2022
2022 sees the inaugural introduction of the Hard Rock launch, making it the first sportsbook debut in Virginia.
This is actually the first approval by the VA Lottery since December 15, 2021, when PointsBet became the 11th authorized sportsbook in Virginia.
If you have used other VA sports-betting apps before, you will find the Hard Rock app to be quite familiar. It offers all the popular sports leagues and betting options, making it easy for both beginners and seasoned bettors to feel comfortable using Hard Rock Virginia.
| Sportsbook | Permit approval date | Launch date |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | 1/20/2021 | 1/21/2021 |
| DraftKings | 1/24/2021 | 1/24/2021 |
| BetMGM | 1/24/2021 | 1/27/2021 |
| BetRivers | 1/26/2021 | 1/27/2021 |
| Caesars (formerly William Hill) | 1/27/2021 | 2/2/2021 |
| WynnBET | 3/4/2021 | 3/11/2021 |
| Unibet | 4/21/2021 | 4/28/2021 |
| Barstool | 3/15/2021 | 8/10/2021 |
| Golden Nugget | 3/15/2021 | 10/13/2021 |
| Bally Bet | 3/15/2021 | 11/24/2021 |
| PointsBet | 11/22/2021 | 12/15/2021 |
| Hard Rock | 3/31/2022 | 3/31/2022 |
| Betway | 11/24/2021 | Q2 2022 |
| SI Sportsbook | 11/25/2021 | Q2 2022 |
Despite its reputation as a renowned brand in the hotel and casino industry, Hard Rock has made limited progress in the sportsbook sector.
The sportsbook company operates not only in Virginia but also in New Jersey, Iowa, and Arizona. It first entered the market in New Jersey in 2019, followed by Iowa in the same year, and Arizona in 2022. However, its presence in Florida was short-lived as it was compelled to cease operations in late 2021 due to court decisions.
Nevertheless, in Virginia, Hard Rock possesses a notable competitive edge. In the coming years, a minimum of four casinos will commence operations in the state. Leading the way, however, will be Hard Rock Casino and Resort Bristol.
However, prior to the grand opening of the complete $400 million resort, a smaller version named “Bristol Casino, future home of Hard Rock” will be launching on July 8. This temporary casino will also include a physical retail Hard Rock sportsbook, which will undoubtedly serve as a means to promote its online counterpart to sports bettors in VA.
A tough climb for newer Virginia sportsbooks
Virginia has finally welcomed its first new sportsbook in four months with the highly anticipated launch of Hard Rock.
By March 11, 2021, a total of six sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and WynnBET) had been launched in Virginia. These six platforms have collectively captured over 97% of the market share in the state.
The remaining scraps have been the lifeline for the other books – Barstool, Unibet, Golden Nugget, Bally Bet, and PointsBet – as they strive to stay afloat.
Being the first to market in Virginia was definitely a profitable advantage.
Thus, Hard Rock faces significant challenges in a market that is predominantly controlled by established competitors.
However, Hard Rock won’t be the only player in that battle. Virginia regulators anticipate the launch of Betway and SI Sportsbook in the state within the coming months.
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