West Virginia has been a trailblazer in the US sports betting industry since August 2018, becoming the fifth state to legalize some form of sports betting. After two bills were introduced to the legislative authorities in 2018, the state made steady progress towards the legalization of online sports betting.
On August 30th, 2018, WV took its first-ever legal sports bets, and the state is now aggressively expanding its sports betting industry, which is expected to become one of the state’s biggest money-makers.
This page provides a comprehensive overview of sports betting in West Virginia. We look at the history of gambling in the state leading up to the Supreme Court decision in 2018, explain the current situation in detail, and provide insight into what we can expect for sports gambling legalization in the future. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned bettor, you’ll find the sportsbook of your choice here on this page.
Which Sportsbooks Are Legal In West Virginia?
Many mobile sportsbooks in West Virginia have their retail sportsbook locations at casinos or horse racing tracks. All offshore sportsbooks are illegal in the state since they are located overseas and any online sportsbook needs a physical footprint in the state.
Almost every mobile sports betting app is available for both iOS and Android users and to ensure that bettors are not using VPNs to spoof their locations, sportsbooks now use location validator apps to catch fraudsters. Those caught location spoofing can be penalized, so it is important to be aware of the risks.
If you are interested in participating in online sports betting in West Virginia, you can check out our best mobile sports betting apps guide to find out which sportsbooks offer promo codes, risk-free bets, and the fastest payouts. When it comes to fast payout, you have plenty of options, including prepaid cards, bank wire, and wire transfers.
The state’s sports betting law allows for casinos to have up to three management service providers, also known as sportsbooks, at their casinos. With so many options available, you can find the perfect sportsbook for you and start betting with confidence. Here are the the full list of sports betting apps in West Virginia:
- Barstool (Hollywood Casino at Charles Town)
- Betly (Mardi Gras Casino/Wheeling Island)
- BetMGM (The Greenbrier)
- Caesars (Mountaineer Casino)
- DraftKings (Hollywood Casino at Charles Town)
- FanDuel (The Greenbrier)
- PointsBet (Hollywood Casino at Charles Town)
What Sports Can You Bet on Online in West Virginia?
Sports betting in West Virginia is a thrilling experience, with major sportsbooks offering betting on the major sports leagues such as MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL. Unfortunately, any sporting event involving minors is strictly prohibited, including all high school sporting events.
For those looking to place bets on less mainstream sports, such as eSports or ping pong, there are plenty of options available. Horse racing and dog racing are also still bet-able in the state, so those looking to bet on the Derby or similar races can now do so.
Sportsbooks offer a variety of betting options, such as spread betting, live betting, moneyline betting, futures, prop bets, and more. These options are available for a wide range of sports, including:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Motorsports
- And many more
The History of Online Sports Betting in West Virginia
After decades of prohibition, the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 opened the door for regulated sports betting in West Virginia. Following in the footsteps of New Jersey, which was the first state to offer legal sports betting outside of Nevada, West Virginia was the fifth state to offer legal sports betting and one of the first to allow for online sports betting.
The West Virginia Legislature enacted a sports betting law in March 2018, and the regulation of the retail and online sportsbooks at all five of the State’s casinos falls under the purview of the West Virginia Lottery. With the repeal of PASPA, West Virginians can now enjoy the thrill of legal sports betting within the state’s borders, both in-person and through mobile apps.
Referendum on Sports Betting
The current status of sports betting in West Virginia is the result of the progress made by legislators in New Jersey, a state with a long-standing tradition of sports betting. In August 2018, West Virginia followed in the footsteps of New Jersey, Mississippi, Nevada, and Delaware by legalizing online sports betting, which came into effect in December of the same year. Governor Jim Justice, who owns The Greenbrier Resort casino, allowed the bill to pass without his signature, thus making it state law.
Since the legalization of sports betting in The Mountain State, the numbers have been less than impressive. The state had expected to generate $5.5 million in tax revenue, but the actual figure of $949,000 in their first year fell far short of that. Sportsbooks in the state were approved as long as they had land-based partnerships with casinos, and five such partnerships were announced. However, three of these partnerships have since fallen apart, with at least one of them resulting in a lawsuit between the casino and sportsbook. In March 2019, Delaware North, a company that owns two casinos in West Virginia, had its sportsbooks close indefinitely due to a vendor dispute.
FAQS
West Virginia sports betting faqs
Yes. In 2019, Governor Jim Justice, the owner of the Greenbrier Casino, declined to sign a bill into law, thus legalizing sports betting in West Virginia and granting its 1.8 million residents access to this exciting form of entertainment. This momentous decision opened the door to a new era of sports betting in the state.
The minimum age for gambling is 21 in West Virginia.
Online sports betting is now available in West Virginia. This page provides all the information you need to know about the sportsbooks available and how to sign up. With the recent legalization of sports betting in the state, more partnerships are sure to follow.
Currently, the companies offering sports betting with brick and mortar locations include:
- Barstool (Hollywood Casino at Charles Town)
- Betly Sportsbook (Mardi Gras Casino/Wheeling Island)
- BetMGM Sportsbook (The Greenbrier)
- Caesars Sportsbook (Mountaineer Casino)
- DraftKings Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino at Charles Town)
- FanDuel Sportsbook (The Greenbrier)
These online sportsbooks make it easy to deposit and withdraw funds, so you can get ready for your first bet in no time. Plus, they offer fast payouts, so you can enjoy your winnings quickly. Whether you’re looking to bet on college football, horse racing, or any other game, you can rest assured that you’ll get your money fast.
It is considered illegal to engage in gambling with an unlawful bookmaker in West Virginia. This means that if you are tempted to utilize an offshore gambling website, you will be risking breaking the law.