While there have been legal West Virginia sportsbooks available on the Internet via overseas, offshore services for decades, there hasn’t been a way to access local WV betting shops inside state borders. Thanks to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), no other state except Nevada could legally offer sports betting of any kind to their residents (except horse racing betting, which was carved out and allowed to be regulated by each state itself).
Thankfully, PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018, leading the way to legal West Virginia sportsbooks operating inside the state. However, it will likely take several months (and potentially more than a year) before online sports betting is available in WV, and – in the meantime – it remains 100% legal to continue using offshore sportsbooks and betting shops like Bovada, SportsBetting, BetOnline, 5Dimes, BetDSI, and other top West Virginia service providers.
West Virginia online gamblers are offered a variety of payment options to fund their accounts. The specific deposit and withdraw options will depend on the casino or sportsbook, but most operators offer credit card deposits, bank transfers, PayNearMe cash deposits and ewallets such as Paypal. West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal sports betting. Bettors inside state lines can wager on sports in-person and online. Get the latest West Virginia Sports Betting updates. FanDuel Sportsbook is live in West Virginia! Claim our exclusive Super Bowl offer! New users who place their first bet on the Super Bowl get 55/1 odds! West Virginia Sports Betting Apps. Ever since the state made a change in the gambling bill in 2018, some major developments occurred in the WV betting market. Furthermore, the five land-based casinos in West Virginia got the license to launch mobile sportsbooks too. And, just like it was expected, both FanDuel and DraftKings took initiative.
PASPA has a storied history, from its shortsighted introduction and botched implementation to the obvious fact that it was wildly unconstitutional from the start yet remained completely ignored by congress. Fortunately, the law has finally been struck down. However, it remains to be seen how the recent Supreme Court ruling on PASPA impacts sports betting in West Virginia. There are several unknowns to consider, and many of these variables could potentially lead to drastically different implementations of on-land and online sports betting in the region. There are also the effects of PASPA on offshore sportsbooks to consider, as these could range from minimal to catastrophic and everywhere in between.
First and foremost, the SCOTUS decision to overturn PASPA (6-3) is what opened the door to state-based regulation of all sports betting within that state’s borders. West Virginia closely watched the case during its years going through the federal court system, and they anticipated the law’s dismissal. As such, they themselves already had a legal framework in place – passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor – to allow sports betting in West Virginia (SB 415). With the preemptive law in the works and the downfall of PASPA, it was only a matter of time before legal sports betting in West Virginia was able to launch. The first West Virginia sportsbook opened its doors on September 1st, 2018 at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, with full-scale, single-game wagering on a wide range of sports. That said, whatever online component the state is planning will likely take longer to roll out to the populace, so for maximum convenience, offshore, legal West Virginia sportsbooks (Bovada et al.) are the way to go.
Of course, there’s a chance that – down the road – the PASPA ruling could have deleterious effects on the overseas bookmaking business. The state could bar residents from accessing such sites in order to force them to use a WV-sanctioned solution, or the WV government could simply pass laws prohibiting the placing of sports bets with such services in the first place.
Of course, it’s equally likely that the state will do nothing to combat its overseas competition, relying instead on the convenience and patriotism factors associated with “betting at home.” It also remains to be seen whether or not local WV sports betting shops will accept cryptocurrencies, as that could be a major differentiator between West Virginia sports betting and offshore sports betting (where all the top sites already take Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.).
More:Federal Sports Betting Laws
Currently, West Virginia has passed one law – SB 415, or the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act (signed March 3, 2018) – that addresses sports betting inside state borders. In fact, of all the first states to employ sports betting legislation of any kind in the wake of PASPA’s elimination, West Virginia’s bill is by far the most comprehensive.
First and foremost, SB 415 makes it clear that the state will permit wagering “on the results of certain professional or collegiate sports or athletic events” and that the duties to regulate this new betting industry fall to the West Virginia Lottery, an already-established government gaming agency. Licensees granted the right to offer WV sports betting will have to pay a service fee of $100,000 to the West Virginia Lottery every five years to keep their licenses active.
The law also suggests that those operating legal West Virginia sportsbooks will be charged a weekly “privilege tax” of 10% of the adjusted gross sports wagering receipts. This is a much heavier taxation rate than that employed at Las Vegas casinos, and it remains to be seen whether or not a West Virginia sportsbook can survive the hit without passing along its losses to the consumer in the form of larger house takes (i.e. less profitable wagers for the sports bettor).
Because the West Virginia Lottery will be in charge of regulating the sports betting industry in the state, there might be some confusion about what locations will actually offer on-site sports betting to WV residents and visitors. Fortunately, SB 415 clarifies that, though the WV Lottery is the regulating agency, sports betting will be allowed at area casinos, racetracks, and any other location where licensed video lottery terminal operators are situated. Right now, however, SB 415 limits sports betting to a total of five licensees in the state. As the popularity of the pastime grows locally, that number will likely be increased to meet regional demand.
SB 415 makes plain the fact that there will be mobile sports betting in West Virginia offered through official, state-sanctioned channels. §29-22D-6e spells out the following: “A West Virginia Lottery sports wagering license authorizes the operation of…sports wagering…through any mobile application or other digital platforms approved by the commission.”
Obviously, no state-based solution will be remotely feasible without a component offering access to legal West Virginia sportsbooks over the Internet and via your mobile device. The vast majority of WV residents use their iPhones and Androids for nearly all of their Internet-based activities, and it would be senseless to try to buck that trend. In other words, the outlook for mobile sports betting at legal West Virginia sportsbooks is extremely positive. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s strictly a matter of “when.”
More:West Virginia Sports Betting Laws
Of course, it’s already perfectly legal to bet at an offshore sportsbook on your mobile device, and – depending on how the general WV sports betting taxation scheme works out – you might get far better deals wagering with these foreign brands than you will using local WV wagering apps. Yes, state-based mobile betting apps will likely be “native,” meaning that they’ll be purpose-built and available on the Apple App Store and in Google Play, but the current mobile portals offered by sites like Bovada, SportsBetting, and the other main players are already substantially better than their desktop or laptop computer counterparts. Regardless of who puts out the most polished app or web app, however, the upshot remains that mobile betting at offshore sportsbooks is still 100% legal in West Virginia (and the rest of the US).
Because of the legalization of sports betting in West Virginia, there are sure to be a number of first-time bettors coming into the fold. Naturally, sports betting can seem like a complex, tricky endeavor to the beginner, but that doesn’t have to be the case. This beginner’s guide to sports betting in West Virginia is brief but comprehensive, and it will teach you how to read odds, how to play different wager types, what kinds of sportsbook deposits and sportsbook withdrawals are best for your needs, whether or not you should take a deposit bonus, and more.
You’ll learn bankroll management, the ins and outs of handicapping teams and players, and everything there is to know about sports betting’s newest craze, live betting. Most of this stuff is common sense, of course, but it will definitely help your cause to have a little background knowledge of all the pertinent aspects of the sports betting industry.
Shopping Lines
Of all the different strategies available to West Virginia sports bettors, the most important to keep in mind is the easy act of shopping lines. It is the simplest, most straightforward, and most profitable edge any user of legal West Virginia sportsbooks can take advantage of. By signing up at multiple different online sportsbooks, you can compare the given odds for every single contest, placing your wagers with the bookmaker that has the best payout for your pick.
Additionally, you’ll sometimes even be able to place wagers on different sides of the same bet at different sportsbooks, which is called “playing the middle,” an advanced form of hedging your bets. (This can be quite profitable if done often enough.)
However, regardless of what your specific strategies are, having access to multiple books with multiple different lines can make you a lot more money than doing business with only one of the many legal West Virginia sportsbooks out there.
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In August 2018, West Virginia formally became the 5th state in the US to provide legal West Virginia online sports betting, after New Jersey, Nevada, Mississippi, and Delaware. A sports betting law was passed by the state and came into effect after a memorable SCOTUS decision to repeal the federal ban referred to as the PASPA. Currently, Nevada no longer holds a United States monopoly on single-game betting. Other states too are allowed to authorize and regulate the activity at their own pleasure.
West Virginia has achieved that. Legislators acted in expectation of a positive verdict, and their bet was paid back with an almost complete product poised for licensure. WV is among the very first states to offer residents a legalized sports betting platform.
Ever since sports betting in West Virginia was legalized in 2018, several land-based casino sportsbooks have already started taking wagers, and now online sportsbooks WV websites are also up and running.
Here is a guide to the online sportsbook WV brands, as well as the locations where you can play as you wait for internet-based services.
West Virginia Online Sports Betting Sites
Recently, the state of West Virginia has made some progress related to online betting. As a matter of fact, West Virginia welcomed four new sports betting sites. The new online sportsbooks launched in WV are DraftKings Sportsbook,Fanduel Sportsbook, William Hill and BetMGM. DraftKings teamed up with Penn National Gaming and FanDuel & BetMGM with The Greenbrier. William Hill has partnered with the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.
Moreover, all the land-based casinos or sportsbooks in WV are allowed to launch their own online betting platforms. So, apart from the two land-based casinos that already launched their online sportsbooks, these are the remaining 2:
- Wheeling Island
- Mardi Gras
We already know how simple and convenient online betting can be, especially if the bettor is located far from the land-based sportsbook. Now, all adult players from WV can wager on their favorite sports events from the comfort of their homes. Of course, the bettor will have to be of legal age and physically located within the borders of the state in question.
In order to be able to bet on these online platforms, you will have to be a registered user. By creating an account at FanDuel or DraftKings, you will instantly become eligible for their welcome bonus. To point out, any bettor should read all the T&C related to the currently available welcome offer. This way, all the bettors from WV will avoid making mistakes that can cost them their promo bonus.
West Virginia Sports Betting Apps
Ever since the state made a change in the gambling bill in 2018, some major developments occurred in the WV betting market. Furthermore, the five land-based casinos in West Virginia got the license to launch mobile sportsbooks too. And, just like it was expected, both FanDuel and DraftKings took initiative and launched their mobile sportsbook apps.
A point overlooked, these two are not the first sports betting apps in this state. The pioneering app in this gambling category wasBetLucky, which is not active anymore. Apart from the two active WV sportsbook apps, the gambling, and sports betting scene of the state should be expanding further. For now, these operators are offering tons of mobile betting options, so let’s learn more about them.
DraftKings App
Now that a test version of this mobile sportsbook is live and regulated by the state Lottery, the users can give their verdict. We have already mentioned that DraftKings teamed up with The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. In short, that resulted in the release of this app which is currently available for download.
In essence, all the WV bettors who are 21+ and who wish to wager on the go can now give it a go. Plus, the app is available to both Android and iOS users.
Fanduel App
The Fanduel mobile developers didn’t wait too long before they launched this mobile sportsbook. Once the change in gambling law occurred, the Greenbrier Casino made it possible for FanDuel to launch its mobile app, too.
In addition, this app allows its users to bet on different sports events, choose among different betting types, look at the odds, etc. Besides, the mobile version of the FanDuel sportsbook was made to simplify the betting process and allow the bettor to wager from anywhere in WV. Anyone interested would be able to download the app on iOS and Android devices for free.
Guide to the Best Online Sportsbooks in the Mountain State
FanDuel
FanDuel is well-known as a daily fantasy sports provider across different parts of the United States. The brand recently stepped into the online sportsbook WV betting business following the SCOTUS ruling that gave West Virginian the right to authorize and regulate the online sportsbook WV services within its jurisdiction. When online sportsbook WV platforms start riding the wave across the state, there’s a good chance that FanDuel will be among the pioneers.
DraftKings
The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is on has launched its own WV sports betting app in affiliation with DraftKings. The Daily Fantasy operator had first launched in NJ, but is now also available in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is definitely one of the strongest players in the market, offering an easy to navigate app with extensive betting markets and options.
West Virginia Sportsbook Locations
- BetMGM
The newest sportsbook on the horizon in West Virginia is BetMGM. Active in Nevada and New Jersey for a while already, the brand recently rebranded (from playMGM to BetMGM) with a fresh look and a new interface. Now, it offers some solid competition to the existing operators.
William Hill
William Hill, one of the biggest names worldwide in the online sportsbook industry wants to establish itself as a vivid No. 1 in West Virginia and the United States at large. The firm recently launched in the state, partnering with the Mountaineer Casino. This makes it one of the go-to brands in Mountain state to place wagers legally. From the look of things, William Hill will become the leading sportsbook in the first 5 US states that have officially accepted lawful sports betting.
WV Online Sports Betting Options Coming Soon…
PointsBet
This Australian bookmaker has become very popular in NJ due in part to its unique betting system: points betting. PointsBet spokespeople have announced that it is planning to come to the Mountain State in the near future. With more betting options, this operator could become a decent competitor to the already existing sports betting apps.
FoxBet (previously Betstars)
With the PASPA act lifted, numerous top bookmakers in the world have been scrambling to hit West Virginia. The Stars Group, one of the brands featuring a huge collection of betting sites across different parts of the globe, has merged with Fox and is now offering the FoxBet sportsbook. Owing to the impact and wealth of the Star Brand, the Betstars Online Sportsbook WV platforms should be amongst the best sports betting options in West Virginia if they go live in the state. It’s anticipated that the online sportsbook WV will feature a first-class sports wagering portfolio together with numerous top features like live streaming, in-play betting, and several free-to-play products.
Where Are the Sportsbooks in WV?
West Virginia has been responding fast to the new law on sports betting, acting industriously to fine-tune the nitty-gritty after the law was passed in mid-2018. A report from the state lottery officials indicates that app testing at Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras Casino is done. As such, the introduction of both land-based and online sportsbook WV operators from different brands should happen soon. Meanwhile, you can bet on sports in the following locations in West Virginia;
The Casino Club
The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs is amongst the most exceptional hospitality properties in the US. There are numerous features to this remarkable property that its Casino Club is nearly always an afterthought for many visitors. Did you know that Greenbrier started accepting sports bets in September after they partnered with FanDuel to run its sportsbook? While the land-based sportsbook is an exclusive members’ club, the FanDuel app can be used by anyone over 21 within the state borders.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Owned by Delaware North, Hollywood Charles Town Casino is most likely the closest to the Vegas experience that West Virginia has to offer. Of the five casinos situated in the Mountain state, Charles Town Casino is the largest.
Hollywood Charles Town is also the only West Virginia casino property close to properties such as Washington D.C, Maryland, and Baltimore. Players residing in those cities and their surroundings can go to Charles Town in not more than an hour.
In the gaming lobbies, there is a wide collection of table games, slots, and year-round horse racing. This property also includes many dining selections, a nearby inn plus an entertainment venue. Penn National owns Hollywood Casino Charles Town, and its looming purchase of Pinnacle Gaming will make the firm one of the largest in the United States Gaming Industry.
With online sportsbook WV activities betting authorized, gamers can now bet on various sports at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. You can bet on soccer, hockey, basketball, football, tennis, auto racing, baseball, golf, cricket, boxing, MMA, cycling, and rugby plus many more sports. Collegiate and professional wagering choices are also on the table. The types of bets that locals can choose from include match-ups, props, parlays, in-play betting, and straight bets.
As mentioned above, the casino has partnered with DraftKings to launch a mobile sports betting app.
Mardi Gras Casino and Sportsbook
Mardi Gras is the most convenient casino for two of the largest towns in West Virginia. It’s situated on the outskirts of Charleston, the state capital and is roughly 13 miles from the town center. Huntington, which is the biggest town in the state is roughly 43 miles west.
Mardi Gras’ central position most likely limits the interest of guests who are out of state. The only big city close to it is Columbus, Ohio. It’s situated about more than 150 miles west of the casino.
Even though there are no plans for an online sportsbook WV website yet, Delaware North has applied for a sportsbook license at a different property. They might do it here too. Even so, you can still wager on greyhound races here.
Wheeling Island Sportsbook
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack opened a sports bar. The new facility unveiled by Wheeling Casino was meant to provide patrons with a place they can watch their preferred sports events. The bar contains a huge wall full of TV screens plus an informational ticker beneath. The Wheeling Island sportsbook platform is situated on an island in the Ohio River, overlapping the border between Ohio and West Virginia.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort
One of West Virginia casinos Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort is situated in Cumberland. It’s in the furthest northern outpost of West Virginia. The facility lies on the eastern Ohio River bank which forms the border between Ohio and West Virginia.
Mountaineer is owned by Eldorado Resorts which has a partnership with William Hill, one of the biggest sports betting brands across the globe. Some of the bet varieties you could enjoy at the here include; Futures, Teasers, Propositions, Round Robins, Straight Bets, and Parlays in featured sports such as hockey, football, basketball, MMA/Boxing, auto racing, and soccer. While there’s no official news about an online sportsbook WV platform associated with the brand, we suspect that one is coming soon.
WV Sports Betting and PASPA Repeal
With PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) law overturned, states are now free to establish their own regulated sports betting.
West Virginia is among the states to move fast to launch WV sports betting as a way of increasing their own funds from what providers will pay back to the state in the form of taxes. WV lottery general counsel Boyd Danielle said that the state which had passed a law to legalize sports gambling would possibly have sports betting inside 90 days of PASPA’s repeal.
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), WV is among the 17 states that have bills or have passed making their path via state legislatures to authorize sports betting upon PASPA’s repeal. This change in the gambling laws was warmly welcomed by residents in West Virginia especially those who love gambling. Thanks to this law, players no longer have to plan long trips for going to land-based gaming facilities. If you are a West Virginian, you will soon have lots of online gaming platforms at your disposal. As we speak, plenty of brands are preparing for launch in the West Virginian online betting market.
The First Sports Bets in WV
The first sports bets in West Virginia were on local sporting events in the country. These include major professional sports and college sports ranging from basketball, football, soccer, baseball, tennis, and hockey. With the repealing of the gambling laws, it looks like West Virginians are in for a treat because there will be so much variety.
West Virginia Online Sports Betting Rules
For WV sports betting, mobile sports betting is also be permitted. However, you must bear in mind that players using mobile apps must be situated in West Virginia. Already the case forNJ Online Sports Betting andPA Online Sports Betting, the apps available use geofencing technology to make sure that people located within the respective states are the only ones who can use them. Like in many other parts of the globe, gamers will have to create gaming accounts so that they can bet on sports for real money from the comfort of their homes.
How to Bet in West Virginia
For you to enjoy sports betting in West Virginia, you must be 21+ years of age. In case you want to place your bets online or via mobile devices, you must be located within the state. However, you don’t have to be a resident of West Virginia to sign up for real money sports betting account. So, this essentially means that players from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio among others could easily come to West Virginia and sign up for an account and make wagers while in the state.
Sports Betting Tips
As a rule of thumb, you should take part in sports betting activities just fun. Spending money to back or bet against the participating teams or players is just a way of taking the excitement up a notch. If you approach things in the wrong way, you’ll never enjoy betting on sports. Remember there’s usually no surefire way towards making a profit, and that’s why it’s called gambling. You can’t be 100% sure and anything can happen. Some of the useful tips that we’ll help you engage in West Virginia Online Sports betting include:
- Don’t make it a habit to always bet for your favorite teams, be practical to place better wagers.
- Set a budget and use a staking plan.
- Be selective. Making too many bets can be as destructive as wagering too much money
- Don’t bet with any money that you can’t afford to lose
WV Sports Betting FAQs
Do you have any questions about WV sports betting? Well, here are some of the frequently asked questions about sports betting in West Virginia:
Is it legal to bet on sports in WV?
Yes, WV sports betting became legal after the state changed its gambling laws after the repeal of the PASPA law that banned sports betting across the entire country.
Is betting on horses in WV allowed?
Yes, just like any other kind of betting, betting on horses in West Virginia is allowed.
Can I make online sports bets from WV?
Online WV sports betting is now allowed. However, those using apps must be in West Virginia. Also, online sports betting is the second certified kind of internet gambling in West Virginia.
Is mobile sports wagering allowed?
Of course, mobile devices are the most popular means of online betting. The law authorizes online mobile WV sports betting, and guidelines are ready to include implementation.BetLucky was operating a WV sport betting app but has since ceased due to contract disputes with their supplier.
What sports can I bet on?
You can make bets on any major professional sport. Thos include football, basketball, soccer, horse and greyhound racing, hockey and so much more.
Is college sports betting allowed in WV?
Yes, there are no laws that are against college sports betting. You can bet on college sports teams and events within the state just like any other sporting activity.
Are there wagering restrictions?
There are no wagering restrictions on West Virginia state venues and teams.
Can I still play daily fantasy sports?
Fanduel West Virginia Sportsbook
Yes. Daily fantasy sports status has been unaffected by the recent sports betting laws and you can still play them as you used to.