West Virginia Online Sports Betting: Best Legal WV Sportsbooks
West Virginia sports betting launched in 2019 and now features a total of nine sportsbooks for bettors to enjoy. After PASPA was overturned in 2018, West Virginia became the second state to adopt legal sports betting. Keep reading for the top WV sportsbook bonuses and promos, plus all the latest sports betting news.
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.
How to Bet on Sports in West Virginia
West Virginia sports betting has a relatively lengthy history, as the state was one of the pioneers in legal wagering. It became the fifth U.S. state to debut sports betting and the third to offer online wagering. Sports betting in the Mountain State is safe, secure, and legal thanks to the West Virginia Lottery, which oversees legal wagering.
West Virginia offers both retail and online sportsbooks in the state. Hosting some of the biggest platforms available, West Virginia gives bettors plenty of different betting options. WV sportsbooks featured on this page are licensed, safe, and legal. Each app is simple to register for and use, offering everything from moneyline bets and point spreads to live betting and parlays.
1. Find an Online Sportsbook
The Best West Virginia Sportsbooks
Caesars
BetMGM
BetRivers
FanDuel
Sports fans in West Virginia can find valuable odds and promotions at each sportsbook listed above. With sports action in full swing this Fall, there’s no better time to take advantage of one of the many promos Lineups.com offers.
2. Choose the Best New-User Bonus
DraftKings has a sign-up bonus worth up to $1,200. To take advantage, just create an account and deposit at least $5. DraftKings will match up to 20% of your initial deposit up to $1,000 and gift you a $50 bet credit. Additionally, new users can Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets. They also receive a No Sweat NBA Same Game Parlay bet every day of the playoffs. The offer works by clicking any Lineups.com DraftKings Link.
Top Rated West Virginia Sportsbook Apps | West Virginia Promo Code | West Virginia Promo Value |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook WV | LINEUPS | Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back If Your First Bet Does Not Win |
| BetRivers Sportsbook WV | LINEUPS | 2nd Chance Bet up-to $100 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook WV | No Code - Click Through Link to Unlock | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets (If Your Bet Wins) |
| Caesars Sportsbook WV | LINEUPS1000 | $1,000 Bet On Caesars |
| DraftKings Sportsbook WV | No Code - Click thru for Max Bonus | Deposit Match Up to $1,000 (20%) + Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets + $50 Bonus Bet With $5 Deposit + No Sweat NBA Same Game Parlay Every Day Of Playoffs |
FanDuel Sportsbook offers individuals the opportunity for the “Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets” (if your bet wins) promo. Its platform is available on desktop, Android, and iOS.
Caesars Sportsbook is offering the new users the opportunity to claim up to $1,000 bet on Caesars. As one of the global leaders in sports betting, this offer is now available in several states across the US.
BetMGM Casino has a 100% deposit match in West Virginia, up to $1,000, and an additional $25 on the house. Plus, the sportsbook has a $1,500 first bet offer.
Look at our tables on the page to browse some of these exclusive West Virginia promotions. Take a look at each option and read some reviews to see which sportsbook will work best for you.
3. Download an Online Sportsbook App and Register
Simply click through our banners or links and download an app on Apple or Android. When downloading the mobile app, all you have to do is register, then verify your location and age. After that, you’ll be ready to make a deposit and place bets.
4. Visit a Retail Sportsbook
West Virginia also offers retail sportsbook locations. The state has given out five licenses to operators so far. These physical locations offer sportsbooks as well as casinos and racetracks. Each of these casinos coordinates with one of the online sportsbooks discussed above.
These locations are:
- The Casino Club at The Greenbrier Resort – FanDuel
- The Casino Club at The Greenbrier Resort – MGM Sportsbook
- Hollywood Casino Charles Town – DraftKings
- The Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort – Caesars
- Mardi Gras Casino – Betly
- Wheeling Island Casino – Betly
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The Definitive Guide to West Virginia Online Betting
The legality of sports betting has unquestionably stirred up some of the most controversial debates. With the May 2018 Supreme Court decision to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, more commonly known as PASPA, there has never been a better time to gamble on the stars of the sports world. More than half of the U.S. has now legalized either online or retail sports betting – or both.
Perhaps because of some of the strong rhetoric coming from their attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia, has long been seen as one of the premier pioneer states when it comes to legalizing sports betting. Morrissey’s views on the matter are fiercely unabashed, as his amicus curiae briefs filed on behalf of New Jersey during its own sports gambling fights are not only forcefully clear but approach the matter from a sturdy legal perspective.
Appealing to his own parties’ staunch views of federalism, Morrisey argued that:
“The U.S. Congress has no power to prevent state governments from authorizing sports betting as a form of gaming.”
Whereas previous attempts to legalize sports gambling faltered as they were more closely legally scrutinized, Morrissey’s argument served as the tip of the iceberg, the tip that would eventually break the shackles off of the controversial industry.
| WV Sportsbook | Physical Casino | Mobile App | Website | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Hollywood | Yes | Yes | August 2019 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | The Greenbrier | Yes | Yes | August 2019 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Mountaineer | Yes | Yes | September, 2020 |
| MGM Sportsbook | The Greenbrier | Yes | Yes | September, 2020 |
Contents
Legal History in West Virginia
Despite momentum from the attorney general, 2017 attempts to legalize sports betting fell through. Delegate Shawn Fluharty introduced H2751, which would “legalize and regulate sports betting at West Virginia casinos.” The bill never passed, but a $160,000 study by the state continued the steady momentum for gambling stands. Finally in 2018, Fluharty’s third bill on the topic, S415, passed both the Senate and the House in February. Perhaps riding the coattail of the Supreme Court case on the topic, the bill set the stage for sports gambling to take off in West Virginia. Governor Jim Justice permitted the bill to become law. However, the dubious nature of the national debate became ever more evident as he neglected to put his own signature on the bill. The governor’s hesitance to sign off on the bill stemmed in large part from his favorable relationship with sports leagues, as he sought to make the language as league-friendly as possible. Despite all this, West Virginia persevered with a September 1, 2019 launch date.
Since legalization, six casinos have sprung up to fill the gambling demand in West Virginia. Located in Charles Town, Hollywood Casino (an interesting name for a casino situated in the heart of blue-collar West Virginia) was the first to be licensed. Intent on the business taking off, Penn National Gaming Inc. closed in on a partnership agreement with the casino. Other WV casinos include The Casino Club at The Greenbrier, Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort and Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack. Among these, The Casino Club has reeled in quite the catch with the acquisition of FanDuel, the second largest DFS service in the country, to serve as their sportsbook provider. Overall, features will be aplenty in these hot beads of sports fanatics as all casinos are expected to include live, big-screen TV on top of the typical slots and poker games.
Financial Impact on the State
According to lottery officials, the financial impact of sports betting on West Virginia is expected to be colossal. In the first year alone, $5 million is expected to be absorbed by the state. Furthermore, by the third and fifth year of sustained sports betting, West Virginia can expect an annual haul of $13.4 and $28.7 million, respectively. Moreover, the anticipated financial boom will leave its mark on areas that stretch wider than simply gross revenue. According to State Lottery Director Alan Larrick, the legalization of sports betting carries with it the potential to spur even more commerce and business within the casinos themselves. Wisely, West Virginia has gradually been allocating funds set aside to be used for sports facilities in the midst of the expected gambling rush. In one instance, state lottery attorney Danielle Boyd claims the mountain state will transfer $9 million to modernize the state’s racetrack.
To widen the availability and appeal of sports gambling, a strong online betting service is something users can get excited about. Users will be able to bet not only online but on their own mobile devices. The difficult part about online and mobile gambling is the regulation of it; regulators understand this and are taking a more moderate approach. Although online wagering must be managed through each casinos’ individual license, casinos are permitted to loosen these restrictions at their own discretion; by this, each casino may consent to allow its users to use up to three independent suppliers.
Age Requirements to Gamble
Even as the floodgates open and legalization sweeps the nation, minimum age requirements are still in effect. Different states have their own age requirements when it comes to waging sports bets online, but for most, including West Virginia, the age requirement is 21. However, a few states set the requirement at 18. Nonetheless, the bevy of online gambling sites should make wagering bets on sports all the easier for the casual sports fan.
Future of Legal Online Sports Betting in WV
Despite the current frenzy surrounding the present legalization, the future of sports wagering in West Virginia looks bright. As the financial estimates earlier demonstrated, states are expected to reel in more and more as the years go by. The assumed exponential increase in the value of sports betting should coincide with its increasingly dynamic effect on everyday life. Investors and integrity monitors have begun coming out in large numbers, arguing that sports betting will eventually be a vital cog in the strategy of telecommunications and data companies. Additionally, peer-to-peer online betting may soon be an everyday occurrence. Similar to your everyday stock exchanges, this would allow for sports betting to happen at a rate never before seen. Whatever the future may hold, it is undeniably clear that a new norm has been set: place your bets now.
Latest West Virginia Online Sports Betting News
Legislative Efforts
Although West Virginia has moved quickly into the sports betting market, its foray into online gambling was not nearly as quick. West Virginia legalized online casino gambling in March 2019 and ultimately debuted its new industry on July 15, 2020.
West Virginia made two attempts to legalize online casinos before finding success. The first attempt was a bill named HB 3067 that was introduced in March 2017 by five co-signers. The bill would have permitted physical casinos in West Virginia to also offer online casinos. The bill ran into immediate opposition. The West Virginia House Speaker did not support the bill, and casinos did not undertake a significant lobbying effort to support the bill. The legislation never received a vote and died in the last legislative session shortly after it was proposed.
Features of the Bill
The bill, as introduced, would have set a low licensing fee of $50,000 for applicants and a reasonable tax rate of 14 percent. These rates are much lower than the licensing and tax rates in neighboring Pennsylvania. The legislation would legalize all forms of online gaming, including poker.
Like the other states that have legalized online casinos, games would have been limited to those players that were physically present in the state at the time of playing. The West Virginia Lottery Commission, which would be the regulatory entity for online gaming the state, would be permitted to enter inter interstate gaming compacts. HB 3067 would require the Lottery Commission to establish the regulatory rules that would implement online gambling in the state. The bill was short on specifics as to how online casinos would operate, leaving it up to the Lottery Commission to decide. However, HB 3067 does state that internet branding shall be the licensed entity’s own name and not that of a third party. This would impact potential partnerships between West Virginia casinos and other internet operators. Partnerships would not necessarily be forbidden but could take on a different form than they do in other states. At the same time, HB 3067 would ban the operation of unlicensed casinos in the state, which would include offshore entities.
Undeterred by the failure of the first bill, the sponsors re-introduced the legislation again at the outset of the 2018 legislative session. The bill was referred to the committee after the introduction, and it has made no further progress since then. Although it was speculated that this version of the bill might receive a hearing, none has yet been held. With neighboring Pennsylvania having undertaken a dramatic expansion of gambling in the state, it’s very plausible that West Virginia will lose some gaming tourism.
West Virginia Casinos
West Virginia casinos have been struggling in general as gambling options have proliferated both online and in neighboring states. West Virginia held a strong competitive position, but gambling revenues have fallen by roughly half from what they were a decade ago as neighboring Maryland has taken market share from West Virginia. The state’s main casino, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has lost players to a major new casino in Maryland, MGM Grand, located about 90 minutes away. In 2017, casinos’ revenues fell by seven percent from the previous year. Thus, it is imperative for West Virginia to act to prop up its struggling gaming industry. There is no specific timeline for the approval of online casinos in West Virginia.
The state’s 2018 legislative session ended in March without HB 3067 receiving a vote. West Virginia only has a three-month window to enact bills as its legislature has a short session. It remains to be seen how the 2018 state legislative elections will affect the prospects for passage of the bill. The current legislature seems intractably opposed, and the forces in favor of legalization simply do not have the numbers yet to pass the bill. The bill is likely to be re-introduced at the next legislative session. At that time, the impacts of Pennsylvania’s broad legalization of gambling will be better known and may inform the legislative process for this bill.
West Virginia FAQ
- Is sports betting legal in West Virginia?
- Can I bet on sports using my phone in West Virginia?
- What is the top bonus in West Virginia?
- Can I bet on college sports in West Virginia?
- Is sports betting legal federally?
- Do I need to be a West Virginia resident to bet?
- What is the legal betting age in West Virginia?
- Can you play daily fantasy sports in West Virginia?
- Can I play casino games in West Virginia?
- Can I place a parlay in West Virginia?
Is sports betting legal in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia legalized sports betting shortly after the Supreme Court overruled PASPA, a federal law banning it in the United States. Sports betting went live in August of 2019, with DraftKings and FanDuel being the first to open sportsbooks. Now, a total of 10 sports betting apps are live in WV.
Can I bet on sports using my phone in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia has online sports betting in the state. You can currently bet on DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and more. Bettors must be of legal betting age (21+) and physically located within West Virginia to place a wager.
What is the top bonus in West Virginia?
The top bonus is $1,500 with BetMGM Sportsbook. Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your bet does not win.
Can I bet on college sports in West Virginia?
You can bet on collegiate sports in West Virginia. This includes in-play betting and betting on in-state schools. Currently, there are almost no restrictions on collegiate sports wagering. You can bet on men’s basketball and football with most sportsbooks in West Virginia.
Is sports betting legal federally?
Yes and no, sports betting is not prohibited federally speaking, each state has its own laws; therefore, you cannot bet everywhere in the United States. Prior to 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 banned sports betting in most of the US; however, the act was overturned.
Do I need to be a West Virginia resident to bet?
Like all sportsbooks, Caesars asks for your social security number and other personal information. This is to confirm your identity and make sure you are 21 years or older. Caesars uses the best security system in the market to make sure your account is safe from potential hackers.
What is the legal betting age in West Virginia?
The legal betting age is 21 in just about every state when it comes to sports betting, including West Virginia. This is the legal betting age for both in-person betting and mobile wagering. You cannot create a sportsbook account until you are of legal age.
Can you play daily fantasy sports in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia has daily fantasy sports. The two options that offer both sports betting and daily fantasy sports are Fanuel and DraftKings. With each of these, you can link accounts by simply using the same email for each of the DFS and sportsbook.
Can I play casino games in West Virginia?
Yes, currently, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers and BetMGM offer their online casino platforms! This means that you can bet on sports and play slots from the comfort of your home in the Mountain State. The games offered include blackjack, roulette, video poker, and more.
Can I place a parlay in West Virginia?
Yes, parlays and teasers are legal in the Mountain State; all major sportsbooks offer parlays in the state. FanDuel even offers customizable same-game parlays. While parlays are legal, not all sportsbooks offer the same ability to customize these multi-legged wagers.
