Placing horse bets by jumping through hoops is no longer necessary with the introduction of FanDuel. They have become the first US sportsbook to combine sports and horse betting into a single account. Prior to this, West Virginia residents had to use a separate TVG account for online horse betting.
FanDuel’s new capabilities aim to introduce horse racing to a new generation. Through FanDuel TV, users will have streaming access to various types of racing, including horse races.
FanDuel TV airs horse racing events from various racing venues in the United States and around the world.
- Churchill Downs
- Del Mar
- Gulfstream Park
- Keeneland
- Santa Anita
Starting from 2025, FanDuel users will have the opportunity to place bets on the Kentucky Derby, marking the first time this popular platform will offer this exciting feature.
Out with TVG, in with FanDuel WV
Previously, customers from West Virginia who used FanDuel had to create a distinct account and wallet on either FanDuel Racing or TVG.com to place bets on horse racing. However, this inconvenience has been resolved as the option to combine accounts and wallets is now accessible in the following states:
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New York
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
In early 2025, FanDuel has plans to expand its presence to Iowa and other states.
If you didn’t have the chance to bet on Rich Strike’s 80-1 odds due to the hassle of creating a new account, this new addition to FanDuel’s platform is a great solution.
According to Amy Howe, the CEO of FanDuel Group, the newly introduced feature holds immense significance for both FanDuel and the expansion of horse racing as a sport. Howe emphasized that this feature will play a crucial role in facilitating the growth of horse racing.
“Our DNA is deeply intertwined with horse racing, making it an integral part of who we are. This presents a remarkable chance to introduce the sport to a wider, enthusiastic audience within a familiar setting.”
In 2022, FanDuel introduced FanDuel TV as a replacement for its previous TVG network, which had a primary emphasis on horse racing. FanDuel TV now offers a diverse range of sports and sports betting content, alongside horse racing, for its customers to enjoy.
The network boasts an exceptional lineup of skilled sports media personalities, which includes:
- Kay Adams
- Michele Beadle
- Shams Charania
- Lisa Kerney
Where can you partake in West Virginia horse betting?
From May to December, live horse racing is usually held in West Virginia. Nevertheless, a few casinos offer year-round simulcast racing options.
Residents of the Mountain State can also choose from various online betting options.
The Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, & Resort situated on the riverfront in New Cumberland serves as a prominent venue for live horse racing. From May to December, visitors can enjoy daily thoroughbred racing, while simulcast racing is accessible throughout the year.
Waterford Park, originally slated to be a horse track, was finally established in 1951 after a prolonged delay caused by the events of World War II.
The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races holds the title of being the biggest casino in the state, boasting a wide array of offerings. Visitors can enjoy live thoroughbred racing throughout the year, as well as simulcasts for both horse and dog racing.
Inaugurated in 1933, the initial establishment was known as the Jefferson County Races. Currently, the Charles Town track hosts a variety of prominent races, including:
- Charles Town Classic
- Race for the Ribbon
- West Virginia Breeders Classic
Originally opened in 1985 as a greyhound track, the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Charleston now offers live racing exclusively for greyhounds. However, despite not being specifically designed for horses, the venue also provides simulcast horse racing for enthusiasts.
Similar to the Mardi Gras, Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack does not offer live horse racing as it is primarily a greyhound track. However, like the Mardi Gras, this does not prevent the establishment from featuring live simulcast horse racing.
The greyhound racing facility, which was established in 1866 for thoroughbred and harness racing, offers year-round availability from Wednesdays to Sundays.
HISA secures funding despite pushback from West Virginia and others
In July, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was enacted into law and received additional funding through a year-end spending bill endorsed by President Joe Biden. This legislation effectively prohibited race-day doping within the United States.
A total sum of $4.1 million is allocated by the bill to support the implementation of the Horse Protection Act of 1970.
In July, West Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas joined forces in a lawsuit against HISA, expressing their opposition. The lawsuit argued that the law imposes financial hardships on state racing commissions by imposing stringent testing regulations.
In August, the preliminary injunction preventing the implementation of its rules by the HISA Authority was successfully appealed by West Virginia, HISA, and the Federal Trade Commission.
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