Online Sports Betting West Virginia
- Online casinos became legal in West Virginia on March 27, 2019. Gov.Justice allowed the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act to become law through lack of action, just as he did with the law allowing for online sports betting. West Virginia law states that a bill becomes legal if the governor does not sign or veto it after 15 days.
- The legalization of online sports betting in West Virginia will help decrease the amount of money the local economy loses as a result of being wagered with illegal operators. Instead, the state can earn tax revenue from sports betting, which can be used for positive initiatives in the region.
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.
A New Era of Sports Betting Awaits West Virginia. Betting on sports in West Virginia is easy and it’s only going to get easier. BetLucky is great introduction to online sports betting from WV residents, and you can expect more options to become available in early 2019, with a wider range of bets, sports and offers on tap. Online and mobile sports betting are also legal in West Virginia, and both are operational. At first, one provider briefly launched an online sportsbook in 2018, however, ties were severed with the provider and a replacement took several months to materialize (DraftKings).
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.
- 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?
Yes. Daily fantasy sports status has been unaffected by the recent sports betting laws and you can still play them as you used to.
Virginia sports betting officially went live in January 2021 after the state legalized betting in 2020.
At the start, sports betting in Virginia will take place via mobile and online sportsbook apps, which have become increasingly popular through the legal US sports betting market.
FanDuel Sportsbook launched the first app through a partnership with the Washington Football Team.
More sports betting apps are in the approval process in Virginia. DraftKings Sportsbook is licensed and live, and BetMGM and BetRivers began operation in January 2021 as well. William Hill joins the market in February 2020.
Here is more of what you need to know about Virginia sports betting.
Virginia sports betting now live in 2021
Legal Virginia online sports betting
Virginia sports betting became legal in April 2020, when the Virginia state legislature passed a sports betting bill.
Betting on sports in Virginia eventually will become available from anywhere within the borders of the state. Mobile VA sports betting on smartphones will allow bettors to sign up for and fund accounts through apps on your device.
You do not need to live in Virginia to bet on sports in the state. You will, however, need to be physically located in the state to place a wager legally.
The state lottery oversees VA sports betting. Regulations are already in place, and more than two dozen sportsbooks have applied to operate in the state. There could be up to a dozen apps available throughout Virginia eventually.
Best Virginia sportsbook apps
State law mandates that there will be a minimum of four and a maximum of 12 VA sportsbook apps available.
FanDuel Sportsbook launched first, and DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, BetRivers, and William Hill followed closely. Many more sportsbooks will offer sports betting apps in Virginia. Many of these brands are participating in new markets throughout the US legal market:
Generally speaking, more sportsbooks in a given state lead to a better market. Competition to gain customers often leads to sportsbooks offering better signup offers and promo codes. These can include free bets or deposit matches, ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.
This is not necessarily a complete list of potential VA sportsbooks. Your smartphone device will use geolocation technology to verify that you are within Virginia before allowing you to bet with these sportsbook apps.
Here’s some more information on some of the biggest sportsbooks that will likely find their way into Virginia:
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings, a leader in both daily fantasy sports and sports betting in the US, has been aggressive about getting into every state possible, and it went live in the state in January 2021.
If you’re a new bettor, you can receive $50 free, plus up to an addition $1,000 in bonus offers.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is the current US leader among all sportsbooks in terms of amount wagered, Virginia is an obvious choice for the FanDuel sports betting app. The app provides weekly promotions, daily odds boosts and a live betting tool.
Bettors in the state get up to a $1,000 risk-free bet upon a first deposit.
BetMGM Sportsbook
The sportsbook from MGM Resorts International has been similarly aggressive entering every online sports betting state it can. It will not have a brick-and-mortar casino in the state, but does have one in neighboring Maryland. MGM started its app in January 2021.
Online Sports Betting West Virginia
Bettors should get a deposit match bonus of up to $500, based on what MGM does in other states.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers parent Rush Street Interactive partnered with the upcoming Rivers Casino Portsmouth to launch sports betting in Virginia. The brick-and-mortar casino will come later but the mobile platform is available now.
Bettors should be able to access a bonus offer comparable to that available in other states.
William Hill Sportsbook
Caesars will build the casino in Danville; Caesars is also buying William Hill. One plus one equals a VA sportsbook from William Hill, a big operator in Nevada and the UK, with a growing footprint around the US.
William Hill offers up to a $500 free bet on a first deposit in many other states.
Virginia sportsbooks at casinos
As Virginia sports betting launches, there aren’t any physical sportsbooks. Part of the reason why? Virginia casinos were approved in 2020 referendums and will be built in the coming years. And there should be sportsbooks at those casinos eventually.
There could also be physical sportsbooks at sporting venues, like Virginia’s two auto racing tracks.