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Sports wagering returned north of $500 million during the month of August in Virginia, finishing at $510.17 million, according to a Wednesday report from the Virginia Lottery.
That is 22.4% higher than in August 2024 and an increase of more than $80 million over the $429.27 million wagered during July 2025, lottery figures show.
The state’s 14 authorized mobile operators continue to represent the overwhelming majority of wagers placed, with $506.27 million, compared to $3.9 million for the state’s three brick and mortar casino sportsbooks.
Bettors collected more than $447.29 million during the 31 days of August — including $444.35 million from mobile operators and $2.94 million from casino sportsbooks, the report shows.
That left $58.28 million in adjusted gross revenue — total wagers minus total winnings and authorized deductions — which represents a 12.3% hold for the operators.
“Virginia bettors dropped more than half a billion dollars in August, and that 22% year-over-year climb shows exactly what happens when Hokies, Cavaliers and Commanders’ fans all have football back on the calendar,” BetVirginia.com analyst Steve Bittenbender said in a written statement.
State law places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’s adjusted gross revenue.
Ten of the 14 operators reported positive gross revenues for the month, which led to the state collecting more than $8.67 million in tax payments. More than $8.46 million was allocated to the state’s general fund and $216,995 went to the problem gambling treatment and support fund, according to the report.
“Virginia’s sports betting tax haul soared to $8.7 million in August, up 28% from last year. That’s football season turning fan passion into real dollars for the Commonwealth,” he wrote. “August was just the warm-up. With Sundays in the Beltway driving wagers, Virginia’s betting numbers are only going one direction this fall — up.”
Sports wagering totals $939.44 million for the first two months of fiscal 2025-26, with $827.13 million in winnings, $103.79 million in combined AGR and $15.54 million in tax revenues.
Through the first eight months of 2025, sports wagering in Virginia represents $4.6 billion in wagers, $4.09 billion in winnings, $478.85 million in adjusted gaming revenue for the operators and over $62 million in tax revenues, figures show.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @DMcGeeBHC
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