On March 27, 2019, West Virginia entered a new era for gambling as the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act officially became law. Governor Jim Justice allowed the veto window to pass, solidifying the act’s implementation.
In West Virginia, the legislation has been passed to legalize online casino gambling. Under this law, each of the five casinos will be granted one license, allowing them to operate three skins or brands.
West Virginia gambling apps
In 2019, the introduction of online sportsbooks and sports betting apps by FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook marked the beginning of sports betting in West Virginia. BetMGM Sportsbook later joined them in 2020.
Our guides provide information on NFL and college football betting in WV, including the legal options available at retail locations within WV casinos and through online sportsbooks and apps.
- West Virginia offers NFL betting options.
- Betting on college football games in West Virginia.
DraftKings Sportsbook WV
In late December 2018, DraftKings Sportsbook revealed its partnership with Hollywood Casino to introduce mobile sports betting to West Virginia. Subsequently, in August 2019, the sportsbook app was officially launched, catering to WV bettors.
FanDuel Sportsbook WV
On September 13, 2018, the FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier commenced its retail sports betting operations.
Residents throughout the Mountain State now have access to sports betting through the launch of FanDuel Sportsbook WV, further expanding the partnership into the realm of mobile sports betting.
BetMGM Sportsbook WV
On January 22, 2020, BetMGM Sportsbook became the third online sportsbook to launch in West Virginia.
The collaboration of MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings has given rise to BetMGM. This online platform has now launched in West Virginia, becoming the second sportsbook operating under The Greenbrier’s license.
Caesars Sportsbook WV
In November 2018, Mountaineer Casino formed a partnership with the UK sportsbook William Hill to establish its land-based sportsbook. Subsequently, the online sportsbook was introduced and underwent a rebranding process as Caesars Sportsbook following the merger between William Hill and Caesars in 2021.
Launch dates for WV online sportsbooks
| Online partner | Online launch date | Retail launch date | Retail sportsbook | WV sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings WV Sportsbook | Aug. 28, 2019 | NA | NA | Hollywood Casino Sportsbook |
| FanDuel Sportsbook WV | Aug. 26, 2019 | Sept. 13, 2018 | FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier | The Casino Club at The Greenbrier |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | January 22, 2020 | NA | NA | The Casino Club at The Greenbrier |
| Caesars Sportsbook | September 4, 2020 | NA | NA | Mountaineer Casino |
West Virginia online casino launch dates
Once again, DraftKings took the lead by launching an online casino app in West Virginia. The app, named DraftKings WV Casino, was developed in partnership with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and went live in July 2020.
In August 2020, The Greenbrier and BetMGM Casino WV formed a partnership, and shortly after, Caesars Casino entered the online gaming market, following the rebranding of William Hill to Caesars.
It is highly probable that all five casinos in West Virginia will eventually seek an online license. The application process was initiated by the WV Lottery in June 2020, which means that not all casinos may have had sufficient time to establish partnerships with online casino or sportsbook brands.
These are some potential options for upcoming real money casinos in West Virginia.
Betfair Online Casino
In 2018, Paddy Power Betfair acquired FanDuel, granting the sportsbook access to a widely favored casino platform. FanDuel joined forces with The Greenbrier for their retail sports betting operations, while the possibility of mobile sports betting and online casino gambling remains uncertain at this point.
PokerStars Online Casino
PokerStars Online Casino, a renowned global poker platform, is expected to seek opportunities to enter the online gambling market in West Virginia. Should it succeed, the app is likely to gain significant popularity among players in the state. The company has openly expressed its intention to target legal and regulated gaming markets as they become accessible.
Hollywood Online Casino
Hollywood Casino, under the ownership of Penn National, enjoys the privilege of selecting its online casino partners. The casino has recently formed a mobile sports betting alliance with DraftKings and is currently seeking regulatory approval. Moreover, Penn National is collaborating with IGT to introduce online casino games to Hollywood Casino in Grantville, PA, within Pennsylvania.
Wheeling Island Online Casino
Delaware North, the proprietor of Wheeling Island Casino, is actively seeking a fresh sports betting collaborator, which naturally indicates a search for an online casino partner as well.
Mardi Gras Online Casino
Delaware North, the owner of Mardi Gras Casino, could potentially attract other renowned casino platforms to the state by offering operations for two online casinos.
Projected launch dates for WV online casinos
| WV casino | Existing online partner | Launch | Application status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | DraftKings Casino | July 2020 | Approved |
| Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort | Caesars | Sept 2020 | Approved |
| The Casino Club at The Greenbrier | BetMGM Casino | August 2020 | Approved |
| Mardi Gras Casino & Resort | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Wheeling Island Hotel | TBD | TBD | TBD |
What did the West Virginia online casino bill legalize?
WV online casinos are permitted by HB 2934 to offer games that closely resemble the ones available at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Games such as:
- Table games
- Online poker
- WV online slots, also known as video lottery,
Tax rates and licensing fees
Initially, the bill proposed an online casino revenue tax rate of 10%, which was equal to the tax rate imposed on online sports betting.
Nevertheless, amidst the proceedings, certain lawmakers advocated for increased taxation rates. Ultimately, the legislation was successfully enacted, with online casino games revenue being subject to a tax rate of 15%.
Each operator will be required to pay $250,000 for an online gaming license, which remains valid for a period of five years. Renewing the licenses can be done by paying a fee of $100,000.
Gambling history
The first sports betting app in West Virginia, known as BetLucky Sportsbook, halted its operations in 2019 and has yet to resume.
Miomni, the sports betting provider for Delaware North, caused an abrupt cessation of online sports betting in West Virginia on March 6, 2019, following a contract dispute.
The closure also resulted in the betting windows of Mardi Gras Casino Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Sportsbook being shut down.
Delaware North, the owner of the West Virginia sportsbooks, has declared the termination of its contract with Miomni. As a result, the possibility of BetLucky making a comeback in the Mountain State seems unlikely. It is presumed that Delaware North is currently in search of a new sportsbook and online gambling partner for its two WV casinos.