After a bumpy start, West Virginia online sports betting has attracted three of the biggest sports betting apps to the state:
Online and mobile sports betting are also legal in West Virginia, and both are operational. At first, one provider briefly launched an online sportsbook in 2018, however, ties were severed with the provider and a replacement took several months to materialize (DraftKings). Online sports betting is live in West Virginia! The Mountain State is now a full-service sports betting state with retail sportsbooks and online betting apps. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and William Hill are available to download right now. You also have the option of visiting one of five retail sportsbooks in West Virginia. West Virginia legalized sports betting in March 2018, but the law did not become active until the Supreme Court of the United States overturned PASPA on May 14, 2018. DraftKings Sportsbook launched its mobile app in West Virginia on Aug 28, 2019. The company has a licensing agreement to operate in the state with Penn National Gaming.
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
After, the launch and subsequent closure of West Virginia's first online sportsbook, BetLucky, the WV sports betting crowd is relieved to have three popular options to choose from.
There are 12 sports betting licenses still available. It is entirely possible that more online sportsbooks will launch in West Virginia soon.
West Virginia's online gambling options continue to expand with online casino gambling on the horizon.
In 2019, Gov. Jim Justice allowed the bill legalizing online casinos to become law. According to the West Virginia Lottery, the first WV online casino could launch soon.
A combined casino and sportsbook app might be just the enticement an operator needs to open up shop in the Mountain State.
While we wait for online casinos to go live, WV players still have plenty of gambling options in the state, including:
West Virginia Online Sports Betting Launch
- Land-based sportsbooks
- Online sportsbooks
- Brick-and-Mortar casinos
- Traditional greyhound tracks
- First-rate horse racing
WV gambling fact sheet
Is online sports betting legal in West Virginia? | Yes |
Land-based sports wagering venues: | 5 active |
Online sportsbooks: | 3 active; 15 available licenses |
Do sportsbooks need a local partner? | Yes |
Tax on online sports wagering: | 10% tax on operators |
Legal West Virginia sports betting
Wv Sport Books In Casino
In May of 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a 1992 federal law that effectively banned commercial sports betting in most states.
This opened the door to states to legalize and regulate sports betting, effectively ending the monopoly that Las Vegas held.
Legal sports betting in West Virginia launched in Aug. 2018. By December, all five casinos had a sportsbook onsite. December also marked the launch of the state's first online sportsbook, BetLucky.
Unfortunately, it was short-lived and BetLucky was forced to cease operations after just a few months due to a dispute with its sports betting partner. It also forced the closure of the Mardi Casino Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Casino Sportsbook.
It was disappointing to the WV sports betting crowd who were left without the ability to bet on one of the most popular events of the year, March Madness.
In Aug. 2019, online sports betting returned to the state just in time for the NFL betting season.
![West virginia online sports betting revenue West virginia online sports betting revenue](https://usbettingreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Erin-Kate-Dolan.jpg)
West Virginia mobile sports betting
The law restricts West Virginia online sportsbooks and mobile betting licenses to brick and mortar gaming license holders.
Today, only two WV casinos have partnered with a sports betting platform to launch mobile betting:
- Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
- The Greenbrier Casino Club
Hollywood Casino partnered with DraftKings Sportsbook. The Greenbrier launched two mobile sports betting apps:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
Delaware North, the owner of Mardi Gras And Wheeling Island casinos severed ties with Mionmi, the operator of BetLucky Sportsbook, in favor of a partnership with IGT.
It has since reopened its retail sportsbooks at both casinos with the betly platform from IGT. It is presumed online sports betting will resume with a betly sports betting app sometime in the near future.
West Virginia sports betting bonuses
With 12 sports betting licenses still available, West Virginia is primed to be a player's market. One way a new sportsbook will gain ground in the Mountain State is by offering very attractive West Virginia sports betting bonuses.
For instance, the FanDuel WV sports betting bonus offers new players a $500 risk-free first bet. Simply place a bet and if you lose, FanDuel will refund your bet (up to $500) in the form of site credits. The BetMGM sports betting bonus is similar.
Another example is the DraftKings sports betting bonus. It offers a free $25 bet to new players. It is pretty simple, after completing the registration process, a bettor receives $25 in free bets to use as they wish.
Additionally, all three online sports betting apps offer several attractive promotional codes for WV sports betting, odds boost, and free contests to help you take your betting dollar a bit further.
Legal West Virginia online casino gambling
Online casinos became legal in West Virginia on March 27, 2019.
Gov.Justice allowed the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act to become law through lack of action, just as he did with the law allowing for online sports betting.
West Virginia law states that a bill becomes legal if the governor does not sign or veto it after 15 days.
With online casinos now legal in WV and the emergency rules filed with the Secretary of State, online casinos could launch as early as July 2020. Betonline sports.
While there is no confirmation on which online casinos will be launching in WV, casino gamblers in the state can probably expect to see: Jackpots games.
- DraftKings Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- BetMGM Casino
Also, considering the popularity of poker in West Virginia, PokerStars may set its sight on launching in the Mountain State.
West Virginia land-based casino options
West Virginia began offering horse racing and greyhound racing in 1931. Legal bingo was introduced in 1980. Lotteries became the third type of legal wagering in 1984.
A decade later in 1994, the law evolved to allow the race tracks to install and offer video lottery. Video lottery machines were allowed to expand into bars in 2001.
Video lottery terminals, VLTs, are the same as other video gaming terminals and slot machines. The term VLT is named such because these machines are regulated by the state's lottery commission.
Serious progress was made in the West Virginia gambling scene in 2008 when the state made it possible for legal table games.
Only the five West Virginia land-based casinos are eligible to operate a retail sportsbook, online sports betting app and online casino.
There are four parimutuel-based casinos in West Virginia:
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is in the eastern part of the state and attracts players from Baltimore and Washington D.C. Its location makes it the highest-earning casino and sports betting operation in the state.
Mardi Gras Casino & Resort is in the western part of the state and attracts players from Southern Ohio and Kentucky.
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort are in the northern part of the state and attract players from Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.
The fifth casino is The Casino Club at The Greenbrier. This is the newest addition to the state's casinos. It is a private club and the only one that requires players to be guests of the hotel or have an invitation to an event to gain access.