Not only is West Virginia the home of the tree-covered Appalachian Mountains and the spot where the Shenandoah River meets with the Potomac, it is also the fifth US state to have legalized sports betting. West Virginia’s residents and visitors have a variety of betting options to choose from, including the state lottery and your standard selection of land-based casino games.
WV sports betting regulation
Is it legal to bet on sports in West Virginia?
Yes. Prior to the Supreme Court striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), lawmakers in West Virginia passed the West Virginia Sports Lottery Wagering Act in March 2018. The Sports Lottery Act had sports betting provisions within it that would allow the state to offer legal and regulated sports betting. A few months later, when the Supreme Court had struck down PASPA, the state regulators got to work drafting up rules and regulations for sports betting venues and suppliers so that the state could launch legal sports betting before the start of the 2018/19 NFL season.
The Hollywood Casino located at Charles Town was the first sports betting venue to launch in the state and took its first sports wager on 30 August 2018 during the sportsbook’s soft launch, which preceded the full launch on 1 September 2018.
Online betting in West Virginia originally went live in December 2018, with the launch of BetLucky.com. This site was the product of a partnership between Delaware North and Miomni Gaming. However, this app was suspended due to a contractual dispute between Miomni and Delaware North in March 2019.
After six months, mobile and online sports betting returned to West Virginia in August 2019, with the launch of FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook.
What sports can I bet on?
In West Virginia, you can place bets on all major sports including Auto racing, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Golf, Hockey, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Rugby, Soccer, and Tennis. You can also place bets on professional and collegiate games.
Can I bet online in West Virginia?
Yes. While residents could previously only make online bets on horse racing and greyhound racing, and daily fantasy sports, residents can now bet on sports online.
In December 2018, Casino operator, Delaware North, launched the very first mobile sports betting app in West Virginia. The mobile sports betting app, BetLucky was available for iOS and Android devices.
In March 2019, the BetLucky platform was suspended due to a contractual dispute between Miomni Gaming and Delaware North. After six months with no online options for sports wagering, mobile sports betting returned to West Virginia in August 2019, with the launch of FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. In January 2020, BetMGM also launched its online sports betting platform in the state.
If you want to get in on the mobile sports betting action, be sure to check out our mobile sports betting app guide. We’ve got information on what to look for when choosing which app to use when you bet on sports in West Virginia.
Can I place bets at land-based sportsbooks in West Virginia?
Yes. There are currently five land-based sportsbooks in the state of West Virginia. The first two to begin operations were the Hollywood Hotel Casino at Charles Town Races and The Casino Club at The Greenbrier. The Hollywood sportsbook, operated by William Hill, offers sports betting across a variety of sports. FanDuel also acquired a sports betting license and began taking sports wagers at The Greenbrier on 13 September.
Although sports betting expansion was slow in West Virginia, every casino in the state had launched sports betting operations by the end of 2018. After the launch of the FanDuel sportsbook at the Greenbrier, a William Hill sports betting venue opened at the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort on 21 November. This marked the second William Hill sportsbook to launch in West Virginia.
On December 27, operator Delaware North launched sports betting operations at its two West Virginia casino properties: the Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack and the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort near Charleston. Delaware North also launched its online and mobile sports betting platform, BetLucky, alongside the launch of its land-based sportsbooks. The sportsbooks at the two Delaware North properties were also suspended in March 2019, due to the dispute between Delaware North and Miomni. Now betting operations at the venues are powered by IGT.
| Casino Name |
Operational sportsbook |
Location |
Contact |
Email |
Opening Times |
| Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races |
Yes – DraftKings sportsbook is operational |
580 E 5th Ave, Ranson, WV 25438, USA |
+1 304-725-7001 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| The Casino Club at The Greenbrier |
Yes- FanDuel Sportsbook is operational |
300 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986, USA |
+1 844-837-2466 |
Online form |
Sunday: 12:00pm – 3:00am
Monday – Thursday: 11:00am – 3:00am
Friday & Saturday: 11:00am – 4:00am |
| Mardi Gras Casino and Resort Cross Lanes |
Yes – Powered by IGT |
1 Greyhound Dr, Cross Lanes, WV 25313, USA |
+1 304-776-1000 |
[email protected] |
24 hours |
| Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack |
Yes – Powered by IGT |
1 S Stone St, Wheeling, WV 26003, USA |
+1 304-232-5050 |
Online form |
24 hours |
| Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort |
Yes – William Hill sportsbook is operational |
1420 Mountaineer Circle, New Cumberland, WV 26047, USA |
+1 800-804-0468 |
[email protected] |
24 hours |
WV sports betting revenue
West Virginia sports betting revenue
West Virginia launched sports betting in 2018 thanks to a law that was approved before the fall of PASPA.
Online sports betting came back to the state in August 2020.
Sports betting revenue is subject to a 10% tax rate.
Complete state reports can be accessed via the West Virginia Lottery portal.
*The West Virginia Lottery publishes sports betting figures on a weekly basis so some months may include figures from other months.
Last updated on 11th January 2022
| Month |
Handle |
Revenue |
Tax |
| September 2018 |
$7,322,255 |
$2,129,235 |
$212,92 |
| October 2018 |
$9,735,874 |
$1,010,246 |
$101,025 |
| November 2018 |
$16,045,602 |
$1,161,375 |
$116,138 |
| December 2018 |
$13,322,131 |
$2,247,152 |
$224,715 |
| January 2019 |
$22,431,187 |
$1,746,233 |
$174,623 |
| February 2019 |
$16,609,597 |
$171,089 |
$17,109 |
| March 2019 |
$13,850,999 |
$1,597,521 |
$159,752 |
| April 2019 |
$10,334,722 |
$554,880 |
$55,488 |
| May 2019 |
$10,704,030 |
$937,065 |
$93,707 |
| June 2019 |
$7,634,979 |
$379,228 |
$37,923 |
| July 2019 |
$5,851,318 |
$682,213 |
$68,221 |
| August 2019 |
$12,656,911 |
$1,549,585 |
$154,959 |
| September 2019 |
$25,620,078 |
$3,755,760 |
$375,576 |
| October 2019 |
$37,022,626 |
$3,156,830 |
$315,683 |
| November 2019 |
$32,968,353 |
$2,289,056 |
$228,906 |
| December 2019 |
$30,342,334 |
$2,322,915 |
$232,292 |
| January 2020 |
$44,253,798 |
$3,651,273 |
$365,127 |
| February 2020 |
$39,618,767 |
-$626,470 |
-$62,647 |
| March 2020 |
$14,705,300 |
$1,101,454 |
$110,145 |
| April 2020 |
$2,965,302 |
$155,058 |
$15,506 |
| May 2020 |
$4,971,928 |
$541,188 |
$54,119 |
| June 2020 |
$6,338,618 |
$567,836 |
$56,784 |
| July 2020 |
$15,853,463 |
$1,573,845 |
$157,385 |
| August2020 |
$45,897,001 |
$2,337,229 |
$233,723 |
| September 2020 |
$76,951,429 |
$4,603,811 |
$460,381 |
| October 2020 |
$44,633,016 |
$3,742,779 |
$374,278 |
| November 2020 |
$48,532,442 |
$4,407,576 |
$440,758 |
| December 2020 |
$70,134,202 |
$6,466,132 |
$646,613 |
| January 2021 |
$50,700,483 |
$3,976,358 |
$397,636 |
| February 2021 |
$38,212,775 |
$1,364,161 |
$115,954 |
| March 2021 |
$42,751,230 |
$3,889,447 |
$330,603 |
| April 2021 |
$34,449,520 |
$2,844,020 |
$241,742 |
| May 2021 |
$25,484,663 |
$2,688,065 |
$228,485 |
| June 2021 |
$29,923,766 |
$3,466,223 |
$294,629 |
| July 2021 |
$21,290,275 |
$2,295,743 |
$195,138 |
| August 2021 |
$22,350,089 |
$1,993,383 |
$169,438 |
| September 2021 |
$60,072,261 |
$7,141,066 |
$606,991 |
| October 2021 |
$77,760,542 |
$3,876,503 |
$329,503 |
| November 2021 |
$84,259,419 |
$7,107,970 |
$604,177 |
| Total |
$1,174,563,286 |
$94,855,033 |
$9,485,503 |
What else can I bet on in West Virginia?
The state of West Virginia has a variety of gambling options available to its residents and visitors. You can visit one of the states five casinos to enjoy a variety of games including;
- Blackjack
- Slots
- Craps
- Poker ( 3 card, 4 card, pai gow, Caribbean stud, Mississippi stud,)
- Roulette
- Mini-baccarat
- Big 6 wheel
- Horse racing
- Greyhound racing
Is it safe to bet on sports in West Virginia?
All the best sportsbooks in West Virginia are fully licensed and regulated, guaranteeing punters a safe and fair betting experience. However, in order for gambling to remain fun, you should always take steps to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
If you have any concerns surrounding problem gambling involving yourself, or a loved one, The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia, has a number of resources available to help you.
Get in touch with The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia:
Phone- 1-800-426-2537
Email- [email protected]
Webchat service
Are offshore gambling sites legal in West Virginia?
West Virginia law does not contain any provisions for online casino gambling and with no state laws for or against it, it is better to be cautious. Although there are plans to bring mobile sports betting to the state of West Virginia, we recommend steering clear of offshore gambling sites. Instead, we recommend that West Virginia gamblers wait for legal and regulated online betting. This is because the vast majority of offshore gambling sites don’t have a license to operate in West Virginia and are not subject to strict regulatory standards. This means they may not be secure or have player protection measures in place to protect vulnerable players. You also have no way of finding out who is handling the money you deposit into an online account.
Who regulates sports gambling in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Lottery Commission oversees both the West Virginia sports betting and casino industries in West Virginia.
You can contact the West Virginia Lottery Commission via:
Phone: 800-982-2274 or 304-558-0500
Email: [email protected]
Mail: PO Box 2067, Charleston, WV 25327
The states greyhound and horse racing industries are regulated and monitored by the West Virginia Racing Commission in Charleston
Contact the West Virginia Racing Commission:
Phone: (304) 558-2150
How old do I have to be to gamble in West Virginia?
You must be 21 years old to partake in any gambling activity in the state of West Virginia.
WV sports betting history
The journey to legal and regulated sports betting in West Virginia?
1933 – The Charles Town Races opened its doors and offered pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, becoming the state’s first establishment to offer legal gambling.
1984 – A statewide voter referendum was held, leading to the establishment of The West Virginia Lottery and its governing body, the West Virginia Lottery Commission
1994 – Another statewide vote was held where voters voted to authorize video lottery terminals at racetrack venues throughout West Virginia. The terminals would allow players to play a variety of games including slots, blackjack, and video poker games. The Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort was the first racetrack in the US to install these terminals, making it the first racino in America.
2001 – State government passed the Limited Video Lottery Act which allowed a number of video lottery terminals to be installed in select bars and restaurants throughout the state.
2007 – The state of West Virginia passes a bill that allows table games to be operated at racetracks with video lottery terminals. This was authorized individually by each of the state’s counties, since then all counties have authorized it.
The state of West Virginia came out in support of New Jersey in its legal battle to legalize sports wagering.
2017 – In March 2017 the state of West Virginia began to see the emergence of sports betting legislation when Delegate Shawn Fluharty introduced a sports pool bill. The bill stated that the state lottery commission would be responsible for managing the state’s sports betting industry and would allow wagers to be placed on professional and college sporting events.
2018 – Prior to the Supreme Court striking down PASPA, lawmakers in West Virginia passed the West Virginia Sports Lottery Wagering Act in March 2018
On 14 May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional allowing for the legalization of sports betting in West Virginia.
The Hollywood Casino located at Charles Town was the first sports betting venue to launch in the state and took its first sports wager on 30 August 2018.
On December 27, casino operator Delaware North launched the very first mobile sports betting app in West Virginia. The mobile sports betting app, BetLucky, was available on iOS and Android devices.
2019 – In March, BetLucky was suspended due to a contractual dispute between Miomni and Delaware North. The companies eventually went their separate ways, leaving West Virginia without a mobile betting option.
In August, mobile sports betting returned to West Virginia with the launch of the FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook online betting platforms.
2020 – In January, BetMGM launched its online sports betting platform in the state.
Want to know the latest on West Virginia sports betting? Compare.bet has you covered!
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