WV Sports Betting and Gambling
In March 2019, West Virginia became the fifth state to legalize online gambling, joining Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada. Residents can now play a wide variety of games including video poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and online slots.
Governor Jim Justice legalized the issuance of WV online casino licenses by allowing the passage of the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (H 2934) into law. As part of the landmark ruling, West Virginia online casinos are required to partner with land-based casinos in the state.
In addition, all games will be subject to strict regulation by the West Virginia Lottery Commission. The bill also imposes a tax percentage on WV online casino revenues, which is projected to generate millions in annual revenue for the state.
Online Gambling and Sports Betting in West Virginia
Gambling 101: Where to Start, How to Start and What You Need to Know
Gambling Basics
Learn the basics of online gambling. Whether you're interested in playing poker, blackjack, baccarat, or roulette, knowing how to begin is essential.
Read more
Gambling Requirements
West Virginia's online gaming requirements are pretty straightforward. Learn what you need to do to play.
Read more
Bonus and Rewards
Get information on the best online casinos, games, and bonus offers in the Mountain State. Learn more about gambling bonuses, rewards, and tips.
Read more
Banking and payments
Learn more about depositing and withdrawing from an online casino or sportsbook in West Virginia.
Read moreWest Virginia Casino Gaming Impact
Casinos in West Virginia
West Virginia is home to five casinos. The Casino Club at The Greenbrier, Hollywood Casino, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort and Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
WV Gaming Industry
West Virginia's casino gaming industry supports over 8.300 jobs. In 2020, the Mountain State recorded $435.5 Million in gross gaming revenue.
Playing in West Vrginia
West Virginia's online gaming requirements are pretty straightforward. Gamers must be located within the state and must be at least 21.
WV Gambling Regulation
West Virginia has a thriving internet gaming industry that offers a wide selection of thrilling online casinos. Under the online gambling law, each of the casinos in the state is eligible to apply for an internet gambling license.
As of 2022, the market has room for up to 15 online casinos and their accompanying gaming apps since land-based casinos can run up to three gambling sites at the same time.
By Section 29-22-4 of the West Virginia Code, West Virginia Lottery Commission is the regulatory body in charge of gambling activities (offline and online). It comprises seven members that can make regulations necessary to carry out the state’s law. This Commission was founded in 1985 following votes by residents to legalize lottery in the state.
There is an age requirement to be eligible to participate in legal gambling activities in West Virginia. The legal age for traditional and video lotteries, playing bingo, purchasing raffle tickets for charities, and wagering horse and dog races in player pools at live tracks or off-track betting establishments is 18 years. However, you must be 21 years or older to play at a physical or online casino, racino, sports betting, and electronic terminals at racetracks.
Forms of gambling prohibited in West Virginia include animal fighting, “policy” or “numbers” games, gambling in hotels, maintaining gaming devices or tables on the premises, or keeping watch on gambling activities.
Learn the Language
Your Guide to Online Casino Terms
Poker Glossary
If you're new to online poker, you might not be familiar with all the jargon. To help you out, we've put together a quick poker glossary
Read more
Roulette Glossary
What's in a name? Learn more about the terms and language used when playing online roulette.
Read more
Blackjack Glossary
Looking to up your blackjack game? Learn the definitions for all the key terms and concepts you need to know to be a successful player.
Read more
Baccarat Glossary
If you're new to baccarat, get a head-start on the terms and language. Learn some common terms used during an online game.
Read moreSports Betting Laws in West Virginia
By West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act (Senate Bill 415), in-person and online sports betting are legal in West Virginia. This law was passed in 2018, making West Virginia the fifth state to legalize sports betting. It excludes high school sports and sports with minors from the purview of legal sports betting activities. The law became active after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
The West Virginia Lottery Commission oversees the sports betting industry in the state. The Lottery Commission licenses sportsbooks and regulates their activities. Every sportsbook must have a land-based location within the state to get licensed for sports betting. Unlicensed and offshore sportsbooks are illegal in West Virginia.
The legal age for sports betting in West Virginia is 21 years. Also, you must be within state boundaries to place sports bets. Popular sports betting options in West Virginia include football, baseball, hockey, basketball, and soccer. Sports betting proceeds are subject to a 10% adjusted gross revenue tax.
Daily Fantasy Sites Laws in West Virginia
Both season-long and daily fantasy sports (DFS) are legal in West Virginia. Fantasy sports is considered to be a game of skill, which is legal in the state, though there is no formal legislation for them.
The state’s Attorney General stated in 2016 that skill plays a significant role in fantasy sports and that luck is not the primary determining factor. Therefore, authorities determined that there are no justifications for banning daily fantasy sports played online.
The major DFS locations welcome visitors from West Virginia and are not subject to any particular rules. In general, the major fantasy sports sites are already subject to strict regulation in other jurisdictions and follow the same protocols required in those states to safeguard player funds and conduct fair games in West Virginia.
