PointsBet Virginia Teams With Colonial Downs For Sports Betting License

After teaming with the Colonial Downs Group, PointsBet Virginia is now poised to enter the VA sports betting market.

Officials on Tuesday announced the exclusive partnership agreement and the joint application for licensure.

The Virginia Lottery formally approved Colonial Downs Group, LLC for a temporary sports betting permit on Nov. 22, 2021. And PointsBet USA, Inc. received a temporary supplier license on the same day.

Of course, these developments lead to one simple question: When will PointsBet launch in Virginia?

No immediate details on PointsBet Virginia launch

In an announcement touting the partnership and licensure, PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken promised a first-class sportsbook experience.

He also suggested that PB Virginia commercials could soon inundate your TVs like other VA sportsbooks have. That’s all due to PointsBet’s media partnership with NBC Sports. As he stated:

“Being awarded the opportunity to offer PointsBet’s market-leading speed and ease of use, unrivaled slate of betting options, and overall in-play excellence to the people of Virginia is a great achievement and responsibility. Alongside Colonial Downs, PointsBet is proud to partner with the Lottery in Virginia for our first lottery-regulated market license award. We couldn’t be more thrilled to further expand our exclusive relationship with NBC Sports – a staple to sports lovers in Virginia – and ultimately provide the great people in the state with the sportsbook they’ve been waiting for.”

Despite those big promises, PointsBet officials remain tight-lipped about a possible launch date in Virginia. But officials likely want to begin accepting wagers in time for the NFL Playoffs in early January, as well as the Super Bowl in February.

However, once it does launch, it’ll enter a competitive market. Virginia currently has nine sportsbook operators, and even more are on the way.

About PointsBet and Colonial Downs

PointsBet, an Australian-based company with US and European operations, is currently operational in Colorado, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and West Virginia. Many of those states have the country’s biggest sports-betting markets, including market-leader NJ.

With its NBC Sports partnership, PointsBet will be able to lean into some of those assets for promotion. According to the announcement, that will include “exclusive multi-platform game-day integrations across NBC Sports Washington, the regional broadcast home to the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.”

Additionally, PointsBet will likely get some help from Colonial Downs Group. The Virginia-based company owns the Colonial Downs racetrack. It also operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums, which are historical horse racing (HHR) gaming parlors and racebooks. They’re located in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, and Dumfries.

“Colonial Downs Group is proud to partner with PointsBet, a premier sports betting platform and one of the most successful operators in the nation,” Colonial Downs Group Chief Operating Officer Aaron Gomes stated. “We are pleased to help bring this gaming option, with an excellent reputation and track record in customer service and unique points of difference such as their ‘PointsBetting’ platform, to our loyal customers and other gamers in Virginia.”