BetRivers Sportsbook debuted in Virginia on Wednesday, according to an official announcement from the sportsbook’s parent company, Rush Street Interactive.
BetRivers joins DraftKings, FanDuel in VA
It’ll be the third sportsbook operator live in Virginia. FanDuel Sportsbook launched on Jan. 21 as part of a partnership with the Washington Football Team. Three days later, DraftKings Sportsbook also began accepting wagers.
The Virginia Lottery, which oversees sports betting and casino gambling in VA, issued RSI a permit on Tuesday. Officials approved BetRivers as both a sports-betting permit holder and a supplier.
BetRivers is the first sportsbook to launch in VA that also has a partnership with a land-based casino. Following a successful voter referendum in November, the $300 million Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort is coming to the Virginia city of Portsmouth.
That casino-resort will have a brick-and-mortar sportsbook when it formally opens in 2023.
In the meantime, BetRivers can begin accepting wagers online.
New users to BetRivers can take advantage of a deposit bonus offer for PlayVirginia readers. The site will match deposits up to $250. Then bettors only need to wager through the bonus money once before it is eligible to withdraw
BetRivers promises to deliver bettors what they want
Rivers offers sportsbooks, social gaming, and online casinos in:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Illinois
- Colorado
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- New York
It’s also the market leader in the three most populous states with legal sports betting: IL, PA, and NY.
As Virginia sports bettors explore their new legal options, BetRivers officials hope to secure their business with:
- Easy registration and quick deposits
- Mobile-app and desktop access
- Thousands of games and sports events from across the globe to bet on
- A broad selection of live streaming content via the BetRivers app
Be advised that, if you already have the BetRivers app on your phone for another state, you will actually need to download a different version. You need to be sure to get the BetRivers Virginia app both for iOS and Android.
RSI President Richard Schwartz stated:
“We are pleased to add Virginia to the growing list of states that RSI and BetRivers.com call home as we continue to expand across the country and bring our exciting and trusted online sports betting product to new customers who appreciate an operator like us who focuses on earning and retaining player trust.
“Our leadership position in the markets in which we operate, including the two largest states with legalized online gaming, Pennsylvania and Illinois, where we were No. 1 in 2020, is a testament to the strength of the BetRivers.com brand and betting platform.”
About Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort
In addition to the online sportsbook, BetRivers will operate the brick-and-mortar retail location at Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort.
Portsmouth voters approved the project on Election Day by a nearly 2-1 margin.
Rivers Portsmouth will be located at Victory Boulevard and Cavalier Boulevard near I-264. Voters were likely focused on the 1,300 full-time jobs and 1,400 temporary construction jobs the project would create. Residents in the city, which is part of Hampton Roads, also knew it would create $16 million annually in new tax revenue for the city.
Potential customers, though, are likely anticipating the gambling-related attractions. They include a fully functioning sportsbook, as well as:
- Hotel
- Casino
- Live event center
- Conference and meeting space
- Restaurants and bars
However, until the Portsmouth casino formally opens in two years, they can now place bets online via BetRivers.
