By participating in draw and instant-win games offered by the West Virginia Lottery, individuals not only have a chance to win cash prizes but also contribute to social services throughout the state. With a wide range of gaming options and attractive payout potential, people from all corners of West Virginia eagerly engage in these games on a daily basis.
In addition to the well-loved draw games and Scratch-Offs, the WV lottery takes it a step further by offering a variety of gaming options that attract a wider audience.
- West Virginia sports betting
- West Virginia online casinos
- Video lottery games
- Casino table games
In this article, we will explore the offerings of the WV Lottery, ways for you to join in, and the potential rewards you can anticipate from your future significant victory.
West Virginia Sports Betting
In August 2018, the West Virginia sports betting market was inaugurated under the supervision of the WV lottery commission. This regulatory body has authorized five West Virginia casinos to provide sports betting services. Notably, the sports betting activities are facilitated by renowned platforms.
If you are a resident looking to place bets on upcoming events, matches, races, or live sports, you can make use of the opportunity of legal sports betting in West Virginia at the casinos listed below:
Mardi Gras Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Sportsbook have recently ceased operations after two months of accepting bets. Delaware North, the owner of both establishments, is now in the process of going to court to end its association with its sports betting partner, Miomni. Consequently, Delaware North will soon be tasked with locating a new partner.
Furthermore, West Virginia had a sole legal sports betting application known as BetLucky Sportsbook. However, it is presently suspended and the chances of it resuming operations in West Virginia are slim.
FanDuel Sportsbook WV resumed accepting bets via their mobile sports betting app on Aug. 26, following a five-month break. This coincided with the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. Shortly thereafter, on the 28th, DraftKings Sportsbook WV also became available, expanding the options for bettors in West Virginia.
To keep you well-informed, we are diligently monitoring and updating all the launch dates for online gambling in WV.
West Virginia Online Casinos
On March 27, 2019, West Virginia witnessed the realization of online casinos as Governor Jim Justice neglected to take any action on the bill that had been approved by the legislature earlier that month.
Each of the five casinos in WV has been granted a license by the law to introduce online casino games and enable residents to participate in online poker in WV. Players can anticipate experiencing games akin to those available in physical casinos, encompassing:
Impressive online casino revenue figures were swiftly generated when legal online casinos were introduced in West Virginia in 2021.
West Virginia Lottery Draw Games
Residents of West Virginia can partake in a wide range of draw games offered by the West Virginia Lottery. They have the option to enter multi-state lotteries that offer significant jackpots, as well as exclusive standalone games exclusive to West Virginia.
WV multi-state lottery draw games
Three multi-state lotteries are participated in by West Virginia.
- Mega Millions
- LottoAmerica
- Powerball
Participate in these games to have a chance at winning some of the largest prizes in any lottery, as there is no cap on their growth. Make sure to grab your tickets from various retail locations across the state before the drawing, ensuring your eligibility to win one of the incredible seven-figure cash rewards.
The draw times for multi-state lotteries in West Virginia are as follows:
- The Powerball draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST.
- The Mega Millions drawings take place on Fridays and Tuesdays at 11 p.m. EST.
- The LottoAmerica drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. EST.
WV state lottery draw games
Residents of West Virginia can engage in a wide array of draw games offered by the West Virginia Lottery. These games include both exclusive options unique to the state as well as multi-state lotteries.
In order to participate in West Virginia-specific lottery games, tickets can only be acquired within the state. These games encompass the following options:
- Keno Bonus
- Cash 25
- Daily 3
- Daily 4
The designated times for the West Virginia state lottery draws are as follows:
- Keno Bonus is available every day of the week, starting from around 5 a.m. until 3:45 a.m., with a new game starting every five minutes.
- Cash 25 is available every evening at 7 p.m. EST from Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesday.
- Every day from Monday to Saturday, at 7 p.m. EST, there will be a Daily 3 event.
- Monday through Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. EST, there will be a Daily 4.
West Virginia Video Lottery
In the state of West Virginia, the term Video Lottery is used to describe interactive gaming machines, such as:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Keno
- Video Poker
Since 1994, video lottery games have been introduced in racetracks across West Virginia. Later in 2001, these games expanded their presence to include adult-oriented establishments such as bars and fraternal organizations.
The video terminals have been restricted to a maximum of 9,000. The payout return percentages for every casino are publicly displayed for players to examine. The latest report discloses:
- The Casino Club at The Greenbrier is currently not available.
- The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has a payout rate of 89.92%.
- The Mardi Gras Casino & Resort boasts an impressive 90.66% rating.
- The percentage for Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort is 88.59%.
- The Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack has an 89.28% rating.
West Virginia Table Games
Licensed racetracks and casinos in West Virginia offer a wide selection of table games for players to enjoy.
The table games offered encompass the classic options that are commonly found in the gambling venues of Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
Available table games include:
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Poker
There are other specialty varieties of table games available, such as:
- Big Six Wheel
- Four Card Poker
- Let It Ride
- Pai Gow
Please keep in mind that the availability of table games may differ at each location.
West Virginia Scratch-Offs
Anyone, regardless of experience, can participate in scratch-offs, which are a game with minimal risk but the potential for high rewards.
All you have to do is purchase a ticket and then scratch off the surface to discover if you’ve won a monetary reward.
You can find these tickets in various locations throughout West Virginia, with different values ranging from $1 to $10 or even higher.
If you desire larger cash rewards, it is usually the case that pricier scratch-off games offer higher payouts. The territory of higher ticket prices is where you will find the biggest winnings.
You have over twelve options of scratch-off tickets available, each offering top prizes ranging from $5,000 to $75,000.
History Of The West Virginia Lottery
On November 6, 1984, the West Virginia Lottery was established following the approval of the Lottery Amendment. This amendment received a majority vote of 67% and was officially enacted into law by Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.
After a span of two years, the state commenced the sale of its initial instant tickets. On the inaugural day, retailers across the state managed to sell over 1.5 million tickets.
During that period, there existed only a single instant win game known as the “West Virginia Jackpot”. This game proudly offered a grand prize of $5,000. In its initial year, the lottery managed to accumulate over $53 million in revenue, with $20 million being allocated to West Virginia’s General Revenue Fund.
How the WV Lottery helps West Virginians
Lottery ticket sales in West Virginia generate over $1.1 billion in annual revenue, with over $520 million allocated towards funding projects that benefit the people of the state.
All West Virginians benefit directly from the proceeds of the West Virginia Lottery, which significantly enhances their quality of life.
Support for public education is enhanced by utilizing lottery proceeds by the West Virginia Legislature.
- School Building Authority
- The Department of Education in West Virginia.
- Higher Education Policy Commission
- PROMISE Scholarship Program
The West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services receives assistance from lottery proceeds to fund various programs and services for senior citizens in the state. These include nutrition programs, in-home care services, and many others. The lives of West Virginia’s senior population have been directly enriched by over $1.25 billion of lottery revenue. The support services offered by the Bureau are inclusive of these benefits.
- Transportation assistance
- Elderly caregiving
- Medicaid funding
- Medical bill relief
- In-home meal delivery
The WV Lottery directs its funds towards the development of the State’s thriving tourism sector and the enhancement of West Virginia’s State Parks. Over $1 billion has already been invested in the beautiful woodlands and expansive forests. These endeavors are made possible by the proceeds generated from the WV Lottery.
- Division of Tourism
- Division of Natural Resources
- State Park Improvement Fund
As a direct outcome of state lottery sales, the West Virginia Lottery has allocated over $9 billion towards public education, senior services, and the state’s tourism industry.