West Virginia Sports Betting
West Virginia was one of the first states to pass sports betting legislation, legalizing retail and online sports betting prior to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). However, the WV market didn’t launch until the US Supreme Court struck PASPA down.
The first retail sportsbook opened in September 2018, with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town taking the first bets in the state. While the launch of retail betting was very successful, the online industry had a tricky beginning. The first licensed sportsbook, BetLucky, had to be withdrawn after three months due to a conflict with the platform provider.
However, once online sports betting went live, it became very popular. Eight online sportsbooks are now licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission, each partnered with one of the land-based casinos in WV.
| Regulator | Launch date | Tax rate | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Lottery Commission | Retail: September 1, 2018; Online: December 27, 2018 | 10% | Online |
If you want to learn more about sports betting in West Virginia, read our expert guide below. Learn more about the best sportsbooks in WV, legal sports betting types, and where you can bet at land-based casinos.
Sports Betting Operators in West Virginia
West Virginia is currently home to eight online sportsbooks, with every betting site partnering with a local land-based casino. Each casino can have up to three online partners, meaning a maximum of 24 sportsbooks can go live.
| Name | Operator | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|
| Barstool Sportsbook | Penn National Gaming | November 2021 |
| Betly | Delaware North Companies | September 2020 |
| BetMGM | Entain | January 2020 |
| BetRivers | Rush Street Interactive | June 2022 |
| Caesars | Caesars Entertainment | August 2021 |
| DraftKings | DraftKings Inc | August 2019 |
| FanDuel | Flutter Entertainment | August 2019 |
| PointsBet | PointsBet Holdings | August 2021 |
Most of the biggest operators in the US are licensed in WV, including DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel. However, there are also a few smaller sites like Betly, which is only available in three US states. We’ve created a complete list of licensed operators in West Virginia.
Best Sportsbooks Apps and Bonuses in West Virginia
As a partner of the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, DraftKings is licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission. However, this is an online-only partnership, so DraftKings does not have a retail sportsbook.
DraftKings Sportsbook is an official betting partner of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. You can find exclusive promotions and odds when you bet on teams from nearby states, like the Washington Wizards, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
A partner of the Greenbrier Casino, BetMGM Sportsbook received its license from the West Virginia Lottery Commission and launched on January 21, 2020. BetMGM does not have a retail sportsbook at Greenbrier, but you can use its online platform anywhere in WV.
BetMGM is the official betting partner of the MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates, a team based just over the border in Pennsylvania. The betting site also operates a retail and online sportsbook in Washington DC, through its partnership with the Washington Nationals.
After the failed launch of BetLucky, FanDuel Sportsbook was the first licensed sportsbook in WV to accept bets following the second online sportsbook launch. The betting site is licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission thanks to its partnership with the Greenbrier Casino.
FanDuel has opened a retail sportsbook at the Greenbrier. However, you can only access the betting platform if you are a member of the Greenbrier club.
When Caesars Sportsbook launched in West Virginia in August 2021, it went live under the name of William Hill. However, following a rebranding, bettors in WV get access to the sportsbook anywhere in the state.
Caesars is the only sportsbook partnered with the Mountaineer Casino and operates a retail sportsbook at this gambling venue. You can visit it anytime from 11 am to 11 pm, seven days a week. The sportsbook has giant TV walls where you can watch the latest college and professional sports events.
To help win over bettors, Caesars Sportsbook is partnered with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens from nearby Maryland.
After signing a deal with the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town, PointsBet went live in West Virginia in August 2021. While the sportsbook is partnered with the casino, it does not operate the retail sportsbook.
PointsBet doesn’t have any partnerships with teams in West Virginia, but it is the official betting partner of the University of Maryland Terrapins. The Terrapins and West Virginia University Mountaineers play each other regularly in a fierce college football rivalry.
JockMKT is a Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) game where you trade athletes with other players. While DFS games are not legal in WV, these competitions are considered games of skill rather than chance. As such, this allows you to use JockMKT anywhere in the state.
TVG is a pari-mutuel horse racing betting site partnered with FanDuel. You can bet on races at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town, the Mountaineer Casino, or from anywhere in WV using TVG. While greyhound racing and betting are legal in West Virginia, you won’t find any markets on TVG.
Owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, the renowned company behind the Kentucky Derby, you can use TwinSpires to bet on horse racing in West Virginia. And yes, this includes races in WV or across the US, like those in neighboring Kentucky.
West Virginia Legislation Timeline
- 2017: Delegate Shawn Fluharty introduces HB 2751 to add to the WV constitution to allow sports betting at casinos. However, this bill does not pass.
- March 2018: Lawmakers pass the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act, without Gov. Justice’s signature, to legalize online and retail sports betting. Gov. Justice is the owner of the Greenbrier Casino. The West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act cannot come into effect until PASPA is removed.
- May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court overturns PASPA, allowing each state to legalize sports betting. Also, this brings the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act into effect.
- August 2018: The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town accepts the first sports bets in West Virginia.
- December 2018: BetLucky, the first online sportsbook in WV, goes live.
- February 2019: BetLucky stops offering sports betting after a conflict with the platform provider.
- August 2019: The ‘second’ launch of online sportsbooks as FanDuel and DraftKings go live.
- 2020: BetMGM, Caesars, and Betly all go live in West Virginia.
- August 2021: PointsBet launches in West Virginia.
- February 21, 2022: HB 4826, a bill to legalize betting on eSports, is introduced to the House.
- March 12, 2022: HB 4826 passes into law without the governor’s signature.
Sports Betting in West Virginia
There are eight online sportsbooks and five retail betting locations to choose from in West Virginia. Follow our guide below to ensure you are betting legally.
Is online sports betting legal in West Virginia?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in West Virginia. Governor Jim Justice allowed SB 415 to pass without his signature, legalizing online and retail sports betting in WV. The first online sportsbook, BetLucky, went live in December 2018 but was shut down after three months. However, there are now eight licensed online sports betting sites you can use to bet anywhere in West Virginia.
What sports can you bet on in West Virginia?
There is a wide range of sports available for betting in WV, including markets for all the big four leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL). In addition to these major league events, you can bet on NASCAR, MMA, boxing, tennis, golf, soccer, and more. eSports betting was also legalized in WV in 2022.
The college sports following in West Virginia is also pretty strong, which is why you can bet on every team playing football, basketball, and more in NCAA Division I. Popular bet types like moneylines, point spreads, and player props are all available.
Who can bet on sports in WV?
You can bet on sports in West Virginia if you are within the borders and 21 or older. However, there are additional restrictions on who can wager. For example, there is a ban on anyone prevented from betting by a criminal record. You also cannot wager if you are a part of the WV self-exclusion program.
In addition, anyone that is employed by a professional or college sports team cannot place legal bets. Also, this extends to people working in leagues that create rules for these sports, like the NCAA and MLB. Finally, if you are employed by a sportsbook or a land-based casino with a retail sportsbook, you cannot bet.
Official League Data usage in West Virginia
The most prominent provider of official league data in the US is Genius Sports, which partners with many top leagues like the NFL. Most sportsbooks in WV have an agreement with Genius Sports, meaning you can see the most accurate and latest stats. This is very useful for making split decisions while placing in-play bets.
A betting handle tells you how much has been bet in a state over a specific period of time and is a great way to gauge interest in sports betting. It is also excellent for seeing the impact of particular legislation and rule changes. West Virginia has been taking bets since 2018 and shows the benefits of the online-only market, as the betting handle didn’t dip during the Covid-19 pandemic.
| Month | Handle |
|---|---|
| September 2018 | $7,322,255 |
| October 2018 | $9,375,874 |
| November 2018 | $16,045,602 |
| December 2018 | $13,322,131 |
| January 2019 | $22,431,187 |
| February 2019 | $16,609,597 |
| March 2019 | $13,850,999 |
| April 2019 | $10,334,722 |
| May 2019 | $10,704,030 |
| June 2019 | $7,634,979 |
| July 2019 | $5,851,318 |
| August 2019 | $12,656,911 |
| September 2019 | $25,620,078 |
| October 2019 | $37,022,626 |
| November 2019 | $32,968,353 |
| December 2019 | $30,342,334 |
| January 2020 | $44,253,798 |
| February 2020 | $39,618,767 |
| March 2020 | $14,705,300 |
| April 2020 | $2,965,302 |
| May 2020 | $4,971,928 |
| June 2020 | $6,338,618 |
| July 2020 | $15,853,463 |
| August 2020 | $45,897,001 |
| September 2020 | $76,951,429 |
| October 2020 | $44,633,016 |
| November 2020 | $48,532,442 |
| December 2020 | $70,134,202 |
| January 2021 | $50,700,483 |
| February 2021 | $38,212,775 |
| March 2021 | $42,751,230 |
| April 2021 | $34,449,520 |
| May 2021 | $25,484,663 |
| June 2021 | $29,923,766 |
| July 2021 | $21,290,275 |
| August 2021 | $22,350,089 |
| September 2021 | $60,072,261 |
| October 2021 | $77,760,542 |
| November 2021 | $84,259,419 |
| December 2021 | $57,274,811 |
| January 2022 | $58,894,228 |
| February 2022 | $49,271,583 |
| March 2022 | $61,482,860 |
| April 2022 | $35,864,019 |
| May 2022 | $44,647,405 |
| June 2022 | $25,937,683 |
| July 2022 | $25,017,812 |
| August 2022 | $23,099,016 |
| September 2022 | $57,759,738 |
| October 2022 | $51,118,726 |
West Virginia Sports Teams
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been playing football in the NFL since 1933. The franchise was initially named the Pittsburgh Pirates after the city’s MLB team but changed its name to the Steelers in 1940. The Rooney family has owned the franchise since joining the NFL while playing at four different permanent homes across Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are one of the most successful NFL franchises of all time, winning a joint league-high six Super Bowls. Four of these championships came during a period of dominance in the 1970s, with the franchise claiming the Super Bowl in 1975, 1976, 1979, and 1980. The team was powered by Terry Bradshaw at quarterback and the “Steel Curtain” defense.
The Steelers had its second period of success in the 2000s, winning the Super Bowl in 2006 and 2009 with Ben Roethlisberger under center.
As the oldest major league sports team still operating in Pittsburgh, the MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates have had plenty of time to pick up fans from West Virginia and beyond. The franchise first launched in 1882 and joined the National League in 1887.
The Pirates have had a decent amount of success, claiming five World Series titles from 1909 to 1979. However, the team has failed to add to its championships since then, also going without winning an NL Pennant. Recent times have been even rougher for the Pirates, with the team failing to win the NL East Division since 1992.
After joining the NHL in the 1967 expansion, the Penguins have left a mark on the league. The franchise has the joint-most Stanley Cups outside the original six, claiming five championships. The first of these came in the 1990/91 season when the Penguins also won their first conference championship and a division title.
In the 1992/93 season, the Penguins claimed the Stanley Cup, conference championship, division title, and Presidents’ Trophy. Yet, this is still the only Presidents’ Cup in the teams’ history.
While not in West Virginia, the Washington Commanders have a very close relationship with the state. The team carries the name of neighboring Washington DC and is also headquartered in Virginia. The franchise was founded in 1932 as the Washington Redskins, and plays in the NFL NFC East.
The Commanders had their greatest period of success in the 1980s/early 1990s when the team claimed three Super Bowl Championships. The Commanders also made it to another Super Bowl in 1984 but lost to the Los Angeles Raiders. While the franchise changed during this period, head coach Joe Gibbs was the stable ingredient that brought the Commanders success.
The Washington Commanders were briefly called the Washington Football Team for two seasons after dropping the Redskins nickname. The team plays ball games at the FedExField in Maryland.
The Washington Wizards have changed names six times and moved to three different cities since the team was formed in 1961. The basketball franchise started as the Chicago Packers before switching to the Zephyrs after just one season. After another year in the NBA, the franchise moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Bullets.
The Bullets then moved to Washington DC and became the Capital Bullets before changing to the Washington Bullets. During this period, the team had the most success, as Wes Unseld led the team to an NBA Championship in 1978.
This was as good as it got for a long while, with a division title in 1979 marking the last success for the franchise until 2017. During this time, the team underwent its final rebrand to become the Washington Wizards and was also the franchise to bring Michael Jordan out of retirement for a few years.
The Washington Nationals joined the MLB in 1969 as an expansion franchise in Canada, the Montreal Expos. However, the Expos were selected to be one of two teams cut from the MLB to reduce the size of the league. The MLB bought the Expos and chose Washington as its new home, launching the Washington Nationals in 2005.
The Nationals franchise came into its own in the 2010s, with four division titles and a National League Pennant. That Pennant in 2019 sent the Nationals to the World Series, where the team triumphed over the Houston Astros. Also, this was the first time in any big four sports that a seven-game series finished with only away victories.
The Baltimore Ravens redefined success for an expansion franchise after launching the NFL in 1996. A successful draft including John Ogden and Ray Lewis built the backbone of the franchise, which claimed the Super Bowl in 2001. The team went back to the Super Bowl in 2013, winning over the San Francisco 49ers. The Ravens have regularly won the AFC North, claiming three back-to-back victories from 2018 to 2020.
The MLB’s Baltimore Orioles began life as the Milwaukee Brewers. The team joined the American League as one of the eight charter franchises but moved a year later to become the St. Louis Browns. The team spent decades in St. Louis before being bought by a Baltimore businessman and moved in 1955.
The franchise is named after Baltimore’s state bird, the Oriole. The greatest period of success came after this move, with three World Series victories. The Orioles have also won the AL East Division nine times.
West Virginia Sports Events
Even without any major league teams in WV, there are plenty of sports events for fans and bettors to enjoy. In particular, many college football games catch the eyes of WV residents and national fans. Check out some of the most popular events below.
The Backyard Brawl
The Backyard Brawl is the 14th oldest college football rivalry in the US, played between the West Virginia University Mountaineers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. The first game between these two teams was played in 1895, and the college football game has made a lot of history. For example, the Panthers’ victory in 1921 was the first college football game broadcast over the radio.
Pittsburgh leads the series by a considerable margin after a 15-game period of dominance from 1929 to 1946. The college football rivalry became the most played by a Pittsburgh team when the 97th game was played.
Maryland-West Virginia Football Rivalry
The West Virginia University Mountaineers against the University of Maryland Terrapins is another highly anticipated matchup for college football fans in WV. The game was played continuously from 1980 to 2007, and the Mountaineers currently have the series advantage.
The biggest win in this rivalry came for the Terrapins in 1951 when the team triumphed 54-7. However, the Mountaineers have the longest win streak in this game at seven from 2004 to 2012. This game often falls early in the season and is seen as an excellent way to measure each program’s chances for the year.
Virginia Tech-West Virginia Football Rivalry
College football is huge in West Virginia, and the popular West Virginia University Mountaineers have another anticipated rivalry against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The winner of this game gets to claim the Black Diamond Trophy, made to represent the region’s significant coal history.
The Mountaineers have won more games than the Hokies, but Virginia Tech has the honor of the biggest win. That came in 1912 when the school triumphed 41-0 in the very first game of the rivalry.
West Virginia Land-Based Sportsbooks
Every land-based casino in West Virginia is permitted to partner with three online sportsbooks. In addition, each location can launch a retail sportsbook. While betting online is very convenient, the atmosphere of betting with hundreds of other sports fans cannot be recreated by online sportsbooks. In addition, you can access amenities like bars, restaurants, and comfy seating at retail sportsbooks. Here is a complete list of land-based sportsbooks in WV.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races |
| Betly | Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, Wheeling Island Hotel and Casino Racetrack |
| Caesars | Mountaineer Casinos |
| FanDuel | The Greenbrier |
West Virginia Responsible Gambling
Anyone wishing to control their gambling habits in WV can join the self-exclusion program to prevent themselves from betting at any West Virginia Lottery Commission licensed operator. You can find this form online and send it to the Commission to enact your self-exclusion. Once you are on the self-exclusion list, you also won’t be able to visit any land-based casinos which offer retail sports betting.
Many WV online sportsbooks provide other support methods along with the self-exclusion program. You’ll often find account tools like deposit limits and spend limits to help problem gamblers. In addition, there are many third-party support organizations you can reach out to, and you’ll find links to these sites at West Virginia betting sites.
FAQs
Yes, sports betting is legal in West Virginia. You can use one of eight online sportsbooks licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission to play anywhere in the state. You can also visit a land-based casino partnered with a retail sportsbook to place these bets in real life.
Most sportsbooks in West Virginia will provide a range of bonuses for players. You can claim a welcome promotion of a free bet, risk-free bet, or deposit match offer when you register with many WV sportsbooks. In addition, these betting sites provide existing player promotions to give you a boost while you are playing.
Any sportsbook licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission is safe for bettors to use. The Commission tests each operator to ensure every customer’s finances and payouts are secure. However, if you don’t use a licensed sportsbook, the Commission cannot guarantee the safety of your money or data.
While DFS games aren’t legal, according to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, these competitions are skill, not luck. Therefore, you can play DFS. Many of the top DFS operators in the US, like DraftKings and FanDuel, are live in WV, and you can use them anywhere within its borders.
You must pay taxes on all your sports betting winnings. Most sportsbooks will automatically hold your taxes up to 25%. However, if you win more than $600 in a year, you must complete a W-2G form and send it to the IRS.
Yes, Caesars Sportsbook is available in West Virginia. You can download the mobile app and play anywhere in WV. Alternatively, you can visit the retail Caesars Sportsbook at the Mountaineer Casino and place wagers in real life.
DraftKings is legal in West Virginia because the West Virginia Lottery Commission licenses the sportsbook. You can use the DraftKings betting app anywhere in WV to place bets. In addition, you can also use the platform’s DFS games.
FanDuel is available in West Virginia, and you can visit its retail sportsbook at the Greenbrier Casino. However, you can also download the FanDuel app on your iOS or Android and use it to bet anywhere within the state lines of WV.
Yes, BetMGM is legal in West Virginia. The sportsbook went live in January 2020, with its online platform available anywhere in the state. However, there is no BetMGM retail sportsbook in WV.