Freed From Offshore Betting: First Impressions of FanDuel Sportsbook in Virginia

Note from the Editor: The following opinion is expressed by the author.

Thursday marked the official launch of Virginia’s legal and regulated sports betting market, and it is now live and operational.

FanDuel Sportsbook gained an early advantage over its rivals by securing a deal with the Washington Football Team, allowing them to be the first in the industry to launch.

Play Virginia was informed by Virginia Lottery officials that several more operators will be entering the online-only market in the upcoming weeks. These officials anticipate that multiple sportsbooks will be operational by the time Super Bowl LV takes place on February 7.

The Old Dominion is currently experiencing an exhilarating period as it joins the ranks of the 21st state or territory in the United States to provide legalized sports betting.

However, for experienced gamblers like me, it’s somewhat of an odd period. That was the initial thought that crossed my mind when I logged into FanDuel Sportsbook in VA just before 3 p.m. and placed my first legal bets on launch day.

Black Market No Longer Needed

As an experienced gambler, I frequently found myself limited in finding legitimate betting opportunities. Consequently, I had to resort to offshore websites for placing my bets. On certain occasions, when even partially legal alternatives were unavailable, that particular market would venture into a realm that was less than legal.

Sports betting at offshore sportsbooks has been a passion of mine for the past five years. However, even before I started betting on mixed martial arts, NFL, and MLB, I used to make some extra cash during college by taking advantage of online casino bonuses. By utilizing basic strategy in blackjack and meeting reasonable rollover requirements, it proved to be a lucrative undertaking in the past.

After a few years, a new trend emerged and I found myself immersed in the world of online poker, grinding away at the low-limit tables during the booming era of the early 2000s.

In this era, various activities like bowl-game pools, Super Bowl squares, and fantasy leagues gained popularity. People also engaged in $2 Kentucky Derby bets, Daytona 500 drafts, and even placed wagers on elections.

In addition, I completed numerous March Madness pools. These included small ones with coworkers and large, well-organized private ones that necessitated an invitation and a personal recommendation to participate.

It is logical to assume that the actual betting was not the most risky aspect of these endeavors. Rather, the true gamble arose when it came to depositing and withdrawing my funds.

Would you consider funding an offshore sportsbook by sending money through Western Union or MoneyGram to a person you have never met in Nicaragua? How about losing a significant portion of your deposit due to Bitcoin’s unpredictable price fluctuations? Or perhaps sending an entry fee via PayPal or Venmo, fully aware that you have limited options for recourse if things go wrong and you end up being cheated?

In the absence of legal, safe, and regulated options, gamblers resort to these illicit alternatives.

First Impressions: FanDuel Sportsbook in Virginia

Wow, would you believe it? I can now make a deposit using legitimate payment methods that I’m familiar with. Furthermore, I just discovered that I have $100 in my account.

After just two minutes of trying out the FanDuel Sportsbook on Thursday, I found myself off to a great beginning.

The day before, I discovered that I had somehow ended up in FanDuel’s system, probably because of my past DFS play. Surprisingly, they gave me a $100 bonus for confirming my account just before the launch. I mean, who doesn’t appreciate getting some free cash?

As expected, the next day when FanDuel was finally up and running, I had the promised $100 in my account. Excitedly, I proceeded to place my first legal bet. Unfortunately, it turned out that my choice, Ottman Azaitar, was plagued by bad luck. Not only was he removed from the UFC 257 fight card, but he also faced consequences for foolishly violating the COVID-19 safety protocols in Abu Dhabi.

I was fortunate that FanDuel had a wide range of betting options available, which helped me stay entertained.

I had the opportunity to place bets on major US sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. Additionally, I could also wager on popular niche sports like UFC, NASCAR, PGA, ATP, and WTA. Furthermore, I had the chance to bet on top international leagues like EPL, F1, and Euro Tour.

There existed various types of bets, including straight bets, parlays, teasers, and round robins. Additionally, there were options for moneyline, spreads, totals, props, futures, and even live betting.

To be completely honest, certain offshore sportsbooks truly stand out due to their extensive range of options. However, excluding a few unique choices like snooker, lacrosse, handball, and darts, which didn’t capture my interest for betting anyways, FanDuel fulfilled all my betting requirements perfectly.

Furthermore, I discovered that FanDuel’s lines were not only competitive but often superior to those offered by my previous offshore choices. Finding house rules and other terms and conditions was a breeze, and accessing customer service was just a click away. Additionally, both the app and desktop site were equipped with fast and flawless software, ensuring a seamless user experience.

The greatest part of it all? As a new player on FanDuel Sportsbook, I can enjoy a substantial risk-free bet. (To avail this amazing sign-up offer, make sure to register using our link and receive a risk-free bet of up to $1,000.)

FanDuel’s Safe Pay Options, Responsible Gaming

I felt truly relieved during my FanDuel experience when I discovered the deposit and withdrawal options. There were no digital currencies, sketchy money grams, or questionable payment processors typically associated with betting, pornography, and online pharmacies.

On the contrary, in a legal and regulated market, the major players no longer have to avoid sportsbooks. You have various methods to finance your FanDuel account, including using your online banking credentials, debit or credit cards (MasterCard and Visa), PayPal, wire transfers, or gift cards. Additionally, you have the option of funding in person at FanDuel-affiliated physical casinos through “cash at counter” transactions.

Are you prepared to make a payment? You can choose from various options such as PayPal, online banking, paper checks, or paying in cash at the counter.

Having experienced numerous dubious activities in the gray and black markets over the years, I found great value in the legitimacy, familiarity, and security provided by FanDuel Sportsbook.

Furthermore, FanDuel provided an additional feature in comparison to the illegal sportsbooks, which was the presence of legitimate responsible-gaming measures.

The site prominently features a “Responsible Gaming” link that leads customers to a central hub. At this hub, players have the ability to establish user limits, self-exclude themselves, or opt for a “timeout” period ranging from three days to a year. Furthermore, a “reality check” box appears every 30 minutes, serving as a gentle reminder to take a break from the virtual sportsbook and appreciate the real world for a while.

It’s a delightful addition. It’s a conscientious method. Moreover, it served as a valuable reminder that, following years of risking my finances and personal well-being, I could now find solace in a secure haven to call my own and take calculated risks.