West Virginia Sports Betting

West Virginia was one of the first U.S. states to legalize sports betting, officially passing Senate Bill 415 in March 2018. Under this law, each of the state’s five casino and racetrack venues were allowed to pursue both retail and online sports betting options. Just a few months later West Virginia became the fifth state with legal sports wagering in August of 2018.

This page will serve as your complete guide for all things West Virginia sports betting. We’ll cover the legislation process, who can bet, the places you can do it, and more. Let’s dig in.

West Virginia Sports Betting General Info

First, West Virginia law does place a few restrictions on who can wager. If you can satisfy these requirements, you’re good to go.

Age

In order to bet on sports in West Virginia you must be at least 21 years old. This requirement applies for placing bets in person at a casino or racetrack, or using an online bookmaker or mobile app. While two states (New Hampshire and Wyoming) have gone with 18, being 21 to bet is still very much the industry standard and shouldn’t come as much of a shock.

Location, Location, Location

The old real estate adage also applies for sports betting in the U.S. In order to bet on sports in West Virginia you must be physically located in West Virginia. If you’re not in WV, you’re out of luck, it’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter if you’re just driving through, in town for a conference, skiing for the weekend, etc., you just need to be in state. All online sports betting mobile apps and browser based sportsbooks will require you grant access to location services, or install a GPS plugin to prove where you are.

Registration

You can download a sports betting app, or visit a WV online sportsbook website from anywhere, including out of state, to create an account. You can set everything up and even make a deposit prior to setting foot in the state.

Licenses

West Virginia law allows for each of the state’s five casinos and racetracks to apply for a sports betting license. Licensees will be able to host three separate online skins on each license. Each license requires a $100,000 application fee and will last for five years, at which point an additional $100K is required for renewal. West Virginia will tax sports betting at 10%, both live and online.

Active West Virginia Sportsbooks

All five of the approved casino/racetracks in West Virginia are now licensed to offer sports betting, and each has opened an on site brick-and-mortar sportsbook.

West Virginia Online Sportsbooks

The five licensees are each permitted to host three online skins, therefore West Virginia has the potential to house 15 different online sportsbooks. Online operations that are currently active in the state include:

FanDuel

• License Partner: The Greenbrier
• Retail Launch: September 14, 2018
• Tech Partner: FanDuel
• Mobile Launch: August 26, 2019

FanDuel is best known as a leading operator within the daily fantasy sports industry, but has quickly become a sports betting juggernaut in the regulated U.S. market. Trailing just New Jersey, West Virginia was the second state to gain access to FanDuel’s online sports betting product which features a complete catalog of popular events. Users can bet from a browser on their computer, or download the mobile app to an android or iOS device. 

FanDuel offers a user-friendly experience that features all of the most popular betting options including traditional wagers like spreads, moneylines, and total points – plus live wagers, futures, props, and more. Regular promotions are also available to add more value, like odds boosts and bet insurance. 

FanDuel is also the on site sponsor of the retail sportsbook at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. If you plan to place bets in person though, it’s worth noting that their casino is actually private, and is only accessible to members or hotel guests. Also, you’ll need dress for the Royale casino experience – be sure to bring your sport coat. While you don’t have to register in person at the casino, you can deposit/withdraw funds from your online FanDuel Sportsbook account directly from the casino cage at The Greenbrier.

DraftKings

• License Partner: Hollywood Casino Charles Town Races
• Retail Launch: August 30, 2018
• Tech Partner: Kambi
• Mobile Launch: August 28, 2019

The undisputed ruler of daily fantasy sports, the DraftKings’ kingdom is growing… and fast. DraftKings launched its mobile product in West Virginia on Aug. 28, 2019, using the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races’ license. While DraftKings isn’t the official sponsor of the retail sportsbook at the Hollywood Casino, you can still deposit and withdraw at the casino cage.

DraftKings offers a lucrative sports betting rewards program, a valuable welcome package, and a wealth of unique ways to bet on sports including flash bets, pools, teasers, parlays, and more. The DraftKings sportsbook will prominently feature the most important live and upcoming events so it’s never hard to find the right bet.

BetMGM

• License Partner: The Greenbrier
• Retail Launch: N/A
• Tech Partner: BetMGM
• Mobile Launch: January 21, 2020

MGM is one of the largest names in casino gaming around the world, and is rapidly expanding its online portfolio. BetMGM sportsbook launched in West Virginia on January 21, 2020, as the second of a possible three skins on The Greenbrier’s license. However, since it’s not the retail sportsbook sponsor at The Greenbrier (FanDuel), you can’t deposit or withdraw in person at the casino. BetMGM exists in West Virginia entirely online.

BetMGM offers a comprehensive online sportsbook with all of the amenities bettors have come to know and love. It’s easy to fund your account, find the wager you want, and it only takes a few clicks to submit it through. Register your BetMGM WV account from anywhere, and be ready for your next visit.

New players in MI, NJ, PA, and WV are also eligible for this great casino offer: Bet $10 on sports, get $100 in bonus bets, and get $150 in casino bonus!

Caesars Sportsbook

• License Partner: Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort
• Retail Launch: November 21, 2018
• Tech Partner: William Hill
• Mobile Launch: August 4, 2021

Caesars Sportsbook is now live in West Virginia, having taken the torch from its predecessor, William Hill. Now firmly entrenched in the regulated U.S. market, Caesars Sports offers online sports betting in numerous states including New Jersey and Iowa. In West Virginia, Caesars Sportsbook has partnered with the Mountaineer Casino to provide sports betting.

Fanatics Sportsbook (formerly PointsBet)

• License Partner: Hollywood Casino Charles Town Races
• Retail Launch: N/A
• Tech Partner: Banach Technology
• Mobile Launch: August 12, 2021 (as PointsBet)

Fanatics Sportsbook is finally available in West Virginia. It launched on November 15, 2023, replacing PointsBet, which it purchased earlier in 2023. Fanatics Sportsbook is now available in multiple states and has become a popular sportsbook option because of its connection to the mammoth Fanatics clothing brand and the fact that it offers a FanCash rewards program, competitive odds, and great customer promotions.

Betly Sportsbook

• License Partner: Mardi Gras Casino, Wheeling Island
• Retail Launch: January 31, 2020
• Tech Partner: IGT
• Mobile Launch: September 2, 2020

Following BetLucky’s departure from the WV market, both the Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island casinos were left without sports betting of any kind. After many rumors and more than 9 months of searching, they landed on Betly Sportsbook. Betly Sportsbook launched as the rebranded retail sportsbook at both Delaware North casinos in West Virginia at the end of January 2020, just days before the Super Bowl. An online sports betting app followed in September 2020, providing another excellent option for WV mobile sports bettors. 

ESPN BET

PENN Entertainment’s situation is one of the more interesting ones at this time, as the company has announced a partnership with ESPN. ESPN BET which is now available in WV. The new sportsbook launched in WV and 16 other states on November 14, 2023.

If you’re a new user signing up on ESPN BET you can claim a Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets plus ESPN+ with the promo code SAOBONUS.

The most recognizable sports entertainment brand in the United States is one of the biggest moves we’ve seen in an era with sports betting legal.

BetRivers

• License Partners: Mountaineer Casino Racetrack
• Retail Launch: Online-only
• Tech Partner: Kambi
• Mobile Launch: June 8, 2022

BetRivers is the newest entrant to the moderately crowded West Virginia market. The company is confident that there is room for more sports betting options, particularly one as easy to use and well-designed as BetRivers. The company should have many fans in the state and will likely do well, particularly due to its great new customer promotion and appealing layout.

PrizePicks Arena Pick ‘Em

While PrizePicks is not fully available in WV, residents of the state can play the newest game available through the platform. Arena Pick’Em is a new game style where users can compete for guaranteed prizes. Users will be placed into groups matching their number of entries, selected entry fee and experience level on the PrizePicks platform.

West Virginia Sports Betting Options

West Virginia sportsbooks have the ability to accept wagers on all of the most popular bet types. What’s more, online sportsbooks are able offer much larger betting sheets when compared their retail counterparts, and even offer up to the second live, in-game wagers. Current options include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Moneyline
• Totals (Over/Under)
• Futures
• Parlays
• Props
• Live Betting (as the event happens)

West Virginia doesn’t have any major betting exceptions of note. While some states may restrict activity on collegiate athletics, they’re fair game in WV where West Virginia University and Marshall have the largest in-state fanbases.

Banking with West Virginia Online Sportsbooks

When it comes to funding your online sportsbook account, West Virginia bettors have plenty of choices. Not all sites are the same though, so there will be differences from sportsbook to sportsbook. Options you’re likely to see include:

• Debit/Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard)
• Online Banking Transfer
• ACH/eCheck
• Prepaid Play+ Card
• Wire Transfer
• Skrill
• PayNearMe (available at participating retail stores: CVS, Family Dollar, 7Eleven, etc.)

While not all West Virginia online sportsbooks have a retail partner, you can typically deposit in person at the casino cage, if there is one. For example, you can always deposit or withdraw money from a FanDuel Sportsbook account at The Greenbrier casino cage.

West Virginia Betting Platforms

Mobile bettors will have access to all of the main platforms in West Virginia. Currently, active mobile sites offer apps for both iOS and Android devices. The iOS apps can be found directly in the app store, while Android users can download theirs from either the respective app store, or by visiting the sportsbook’s website.

For those looking to bet on a computer, browser-based sportsbooks are also available for each online book. The only download required for browser betting is the geolocation plugin to prove that you are in state.

The Benefits of Legal, Regulated Sports Betting

Safety

The most important advantage is unquestionably safety. With legal sites you know that the operator has complied with state regulations, and is regularly evaluated to make sure everything is up to code. Placing a wager on a regulated site is no different than walking into a Vegas casino and betting there.

Easy Banking Transactions

Offshore sites often rely on payment methods like cryptocurrency to fund accounts, which may have a learning curve in itself. With legal sports betting operators, there are numerous, simple, deposit options. For example, you can enter a credit card number and you’re good to go. Time to withdraw? You can drive right to your mobile site’s partner casino and withdraw in cash, have them mail you a check, etc.

Better Customer Support

Customer support for regulated sites is far superior. You’ll have access to detailed FAQ pages, email, phone, and helpful live chat. And if you ever have an issue that the sports betting site can’t help with, you can always take it directly to the state lottery, which is responsible for regulating the industry in West Virginia.

Competition Breeds Better Products

In most states that have legalized sports betting there are multiple apps, meaning you have choices. The great thing about choice, is that it motivates the lesser products to get better. If they don’t, they won’t get your business. Offshore sites are difficult to operate and even harder to fund, thus users tend to stick with one regardless of quality, just because it’s convenient. Within the regulated world you can easily shop around for the best lines and promotions.

West Virginia’s Gambling History

West Virginia has been one of the most progressive states in the region when it comes to gambling. Dog and horse racing have been a fixture in the state for the better part of a century, and it was also quick to embrace both slots and table games. As neighboring states have finally come around on gambling legislation, West Virginia has continually sought new ways to stay ahead of the curve – and pursuing sports betting and mobile wagers is certainly a way to do it. 

The state’s battle for sports betting began years ago. AG Patrick Morrisey made waves in 2016 by supporting New Jersey’s federal challenge of PASPA, the law that forbade new sports betting legislation across the country. Efforts continued in 2017 with a failed bill, and additional research into the subject. West Virginia finally broke through in 2018, legalizing sports betting through Senate Bill 415 in March. Once PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court in May of the same year, the sky was the limit for sports betting in WV. 

After a quick rollout, the first legal sports bets were placed in the state on August 30, 2018 at the Hollywood Casino Charles Town. Online wagers, which are ideal in a mountainous, often difficult to traverse state like WV, followed in December.

FAQ

Is it legal to bet on sports in West Virginia?

Yes! It’s completely legal to wager on sports in West Virginia. The state has been accepting legal sports bets since August 2018.

Are both online and retail sports betting allowed?

Absolutely, you can bet in-person at one of the state’s five brick-and-mortar casinos, or download one of the available sports betting mobile apps.

Where are the retail sportsbooks in the state?

West VA has five retail sportsbook sites. Generally speaking, they are well spread out along the edges of the state. Their names and locations are as follows:

Hollywood Casino Charles Town Races – Charles Town, WV
The Greenbrier – White Sulphur Springs, WV
Mountaineer Casino – New Cumberland, WV
Mardi Gras Casino – Cross Lanes, WV
Wheeling Island Casino – Wheeling, WV

Who oversees sports betting in West Virginia?

The West Virginia State Lottery Commission is responsible for overseeing operations in the state.

What is the legal age to wager on sports in WV?

You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in West VA.

After I have signed up, can I bet from outside of West Virginia?

Unfortunately not. You must be inside the state to bet.