1. Is Online Casino Legal in West Virginia? The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act legalizes online casino gambling sites in the state. Jim Justice did not ratify or veto it but allowed it to pass into law without his signature after the 15 days window elapsed.
2. West Virginia gave start to its gambling industry back in 1931, when the state’s regulator the first WV gambling laws established the West Virginia Racing Commission. In 1984, The West Virginia Lottery was officially legalized and had been successfully running ever since.

1. Legal Gambling In West Virginia
2. Sports Gambling In West Virginia
3. Gambling Places In West Virginia
4. Gambling In West Virginia
5. History Of Gambling In West Virginia

#1 of 1 Casinos & Gambling in White Sulphur Springs “ A really good Casino which offers a great variety of table games as well as slots. West Virginia is a gambling-friendly state. You can find casinos, a lottery, dog tracks, and practically all forms of gambling available in the state. Here are the most legitimate sites for players in West Virginia, including an overview of all their laws regarding online gambling.

West Virginia became the fifth state in the US to legalize online casino gaming back in March of 2019. It could be a while however, before online casino gaming gets formally underway. For details on the current landscape of online gambling and when to expect West Virginia online casinos to be up and running, read below.

Best Casinos in West Virginia

West Virginia online casinos have yet to make their mark but land-based casinos have been running for a while now. There are currently five brick and mortar casinos available in West Virginia, each providing a diverse set of experiences. All five properties are expected to become West Virginia online casinos, with licenses as per state gambling laws.

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races was the first casino to open its doors in West Virginia. The property is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and operated by Penn National Gaming. You can find the Hollywood Casino just outside the eastern city limits of Charles Town, West Virginia.

The casino section of the property consists of over 2,500 slots titles and 75 table games. Players will also have access to a 16 table poker room featuring 24/7 action and tournaments throughout the month.

The racetrack at the casino is one of the busiest in the country, generally running 5 days a week. It features a six furlong thoroughbred horse racing facility, home to the West Virginia Breeders' Classic. Sports betting is available for horse racing along with a number of other popular sports at the property’s new sportsbook.

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort is located by the Ohio River north of New Cumberland, West Virginia. The property is owned and run by Eldorado Resorts, one of the largest casino operators in the world. The Mountaineer is known for being the first racetrack in the US to be converted into a racino.

The casino portion of the property consists of over 1,500 slot machines, a variety of table games and a 24/7 poker room. The site also provides a sportsbook run by world renowned online sports betting platform, William Hill.

The thoroughbred racetrack at Mountaineer is one of the most popular in the State, featuring races 5 nights a week. Mountaineer also hosts the West Virginia Derby, a Grade II race which has significantly grown in popularity and purse in the past decade.

Mardi Gras Casino & Resort

The Mardi Gras Casino & Resort is located in the city of Nitro, West Virginia off the Cross Lanes exit of I-64. The property is owned and run by Delaware North. As you’d probably guess, the property uses a Mardi Gras theme to style the casino/resort.

The casino section offers 90,000 square feet of gaming action, with nearly 1,000 slot machines and 20 live table games. The poker room provides cash games in a variety of stakes and formats, along with daily tournaments.

Mardi Gras was the first of the West Virginia sportsbooks to offer mobile app sports betting. The app was created in partnership with sports betting platform, BetLucky. Unfortunately, a contract dispute resulted in BetLucky no longer offering online sports betting in WV. Visitors can still however enjoy live greyhound racing, and off-track betting for both greyhound and horse racing at the retail sportsbook.

The Casino Club at Greenbrier

Greenbrier is the only privately owned casino in the US, open strictly to members and patrons of the hotel. The luxury resort and casino is located in the Allegheny Mountains near White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County.

The gaming section of the property provides players 320 slots games and a variety of table games including: Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘em, Mini-Baccarat, and Craps.

A sportsbook is also available at Greenbrier, in association with fantasy sports providers FanDuel. The partnership recently developed a mobile app allowing bettors to place wagers electronically on sports inside the borders of West Virginia. Greenbrier is one of the two West Virginia sportsbooks that currently provides mobile betting.

List of West Virginia Casinos

• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
• Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort
• Mardi Gras Casino & Resort
• The Casino Club at The Greenbrier
• Wheeling Island Hotel & Casino

West Virginia Casino Laws

Despite being considered a conservative state, West Virginia has been one of the ambitious states when it comes to gambling. While land-based casinos have long been running in the state, online gambling was introduced by the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act. The Act legalized online casino gambling and sports betting in West Virginia after Gov. Jim Justice didn’t act before his deadline in 2019.

West Virginia online casinos are not yet fully regulated and implemented. The Act has however provided the West Virginia Lottery with a deadline of June 2020 to finalize a framework of regulation for online gaming. A likely debut for West Virginia online casinos is February of 2021.

When West Virginia online casinos do eventually go live, licenses will be restricted to five land-based casinos in the state. Each casino will be required to pay a $250,000 licensing fee and renewal fee of $100,000 every five years.

It is still unclear the number of partner brands or ‘skins’ each licensee will be permitted. This is expected to be decided by the West Virginia Lottery during the rule-making process. One thing is for sure, all of the best online casinos in the US will be vying for a partnership.

Future Casino Legislation in West Virginia

Much of the fate of West Virginia online casinos will be left to the framework formed by the Lottery by June of 2020. The rules will govern the five land-based casinos and any skins the casinos use. After the regulations are in place, it’s likely another 6-7 months will be required before West Virginia online casinos go live.

One of the key points that will play a large role in the landscape of WV online gambling is the number of partner brands permitted. Will casinos the five land-based casinos be given the opportunity to partner with multiple brands and if so how many? Also, will online poker brands, online casino brands and online sports betting brands get a chance to mix and match? We’ll have to wait for the West Virginia Lottery Rules to find out.

Casino Games Available

West Virginia online casinos are expected to follow suit with other USA online casinos to provide a similar set of gaming options. The most likely game types to be available are slots, table games and poker options.

Slots

Slots will be arguably the most popular game type featured among USA online casinos. You can expect classic slots, fruit machines, video slots and progressive jackpots slots. Likely game studios featured are NYX, Microgaming, NetEnt and WMS.

Table Games

The table games section at West Virginia online casinos are expected to feature player favorites such as Blackjack and Roulette. Both games should be featured in multiple stakes a variations. Other popular table games you can look forward to include: Craps, Baccarat, Casino Hold Em’ and Carribean Stud.

Many of the best online casinos also feature live casino section for many of their table games.

Poker Options

Video poker games should be available along with multi-hand poker against other players. Video poker titles you can expect to find are Bonus Poker, Jack or Better, Aces and Face and Deuces Wild. Multi-hand poker will likely be offered in partnership with an existing online poker brand such as Pokerstars, WSOP or Party Poker.

West Virginia Online Casino Apps

West Virginia online casino apps will likely follow a similar path to sportsbook apps. There are currently two sportsbook apps available from FanDuel and DraftKings in WV.

Other states such as NJ and Pennsylvania have integrated sportsbook/casino apps together for both sports betting and casino gameplay. Some of the best online casinos to provide integrated apps include the 888casino, Paddy Power Casino and William Hill Casino. Expect some of the best online casinos in the US to enter the market with apps in WV.

To use West Virginia online casino apps users will be required to be geo-located within state boundaries. To ensure users are playing within WV, location software will need to be installed on your mobile device.

Both iOS and Android devices are expected to be supported by West Virginia online casinos. To download the app you may be required to visit the operator’s website, due to gambling restrictions.

West Virginia Online Sportsbooks

Online sports betting has come a lot further than the online casino market in West Virginia. Bettors can already access some of the best online sportsbooks at the two major land-based casinos. FanDuel is available at the Greenbrier and DraftKings at the Hollywood Casino. Both sportsbooks provide mobile betting apps available on both iOS and Android devices.

BetLucky partnered with both the Wheeling Casino and Mardi Gras Casino and were the first to launch a sportsbook app. Unfortunately, the app was no longer offered due to a contract dispute.

Final Thoughts On West Virginia Online Casinos

West Virginia online casinos are definitely coming, when however is unclear. With the legislation in place requiring only a framework to be set, it could be very soon. June is the deadline for the WV Lottery to create the guidelines, which makes early 2021 the most likely launch period.

Expect West Virginia land-based casinos to partner with a number of the best online casinos in the US. Some of the most likely usa online casinos you can look for are FanDuel, DratKing, William Hill and the Stars Group.

Be sure to check in for more developments as the West Virginia online casino landscape begins to unfold over the next year.

West Virginia is a gambling-friendly state. You can find casinos, a lottery,
dog tracks, and practically all forms of gambling available in the state.

The future of West Virginia gambling sites also looks bright.

On this page, we offer a complete guide to the laws and situations related to
gambling in West Virginia.

Online Gambling and West Virginia Law

• Is Online Gambling Legal in West Virginia?
• Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in West Virginia?
• Is West Virginia Going to Legalize Online Gaming?
• How Do I Choose a Safe and Quality Offshore Gaming Site?
• Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in West Virginia?

Is Online Gambling Legal in West Virginia?

Online gambling is a gray area in West Virginia. Like most states, West
Virginia doesn’t have any laws that specifically talk about online gambling.

You can assume that the current gambling laws about land-based gambling can
be applied to online gambling as well, which would make betting on any game of
chance illegal.

Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in West Virginia?

Getting arrested for gambling online in West Virginia is unlikely.

We’ve yet to find a case where a West Virginia resident was arrested for
gambling online.

It’s illegal to run an internet casino in West Virginia, and you’ll be
arrested if you do so.

In fact, most law enforcement in the United States focuses on taking action
against providers, not customers.

Is West Virginia Going to Legalize Online Gaming?

West Virginia has been considering legalizing online gaming for a while now.
In early 2017, a bill was introduced in West Virginia in an attempt to legalize
and regulate online gaming.

The bill would allow currently-licensed gaming facilities, like the ones
found at the state’s four racetracks, to have an internet gambling license.

West Virginia is known as a gaming state, and it’s possible that we will see
West Virginia gambling sites in 2017 or 2018.

How Do I Choose a Safe and Quality Offshore Gaming Site?

• Licensing – Find out what regulations the site has to meet in order to
  receive their license. Some areas have stricter regulations and restrictions
  than others.
• Game Variety – Look at what games the site offers to ensure there’s enough
  variety to keep you entertained.
• Deposit Options – Check to see what deposit options are available before
  signing up for the site to make sure there’s an option you’re comfortable using
  to deposit funds. At the same time, take a quick look at the cash-out options,
  because they aren’t always the same as the deposit choices.
• Reviews – Research reviews from past and present members to get a feel for
  the legitimacy of the site and to learn about the good and bad of the site from
  the members’ point of view.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, daily fantasy sports are legal in West Virginia.

Here’s what the ESPN website has to say about daily fantasy sports in West
Virginia:

“In a decision dated July 7, 2016, the West Virginia attorney general
concluded that: ‘West Virginia law does not prohibit the offering of or
participation in fantasy sports games, as they are defined in Senate Bill 529,
because state law prohibits only betting upon games decided predominantly by
chance.’ In reaching its decision, the West Virginia AG drew an analogy to
traditional sports betting, writing: ‘betting on sports is not something
predominately determined by chance, but rather by skill.'”

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in West Virginia

• Casino Games (Legal)
• Sports Betting (Pari-Mutuel Betting Only)
• Race Betting (Pari-Mutuel Wagering Only)
• Lottery (Legal)
• Bingo (Charitable Gaming Only)
• Social Gambling (Unclear)

Casino Games: Legal

Most casino games are found at the racetracks located in West Virginia.

Here’s what the West Virginia Lottery Racetrack Table Games says about
authorized and unauthorized games:

“The casino licensee shall not permit a table game to be played if the game
is not approved by the Commission.

The Commission shall authorize one or more variations of the following table
games to be played at the casino:

• Baccarat
• Twenty-one or blackjack
• Poker
• Craps
• Roulette
• Wheel of fortune
• and Other table games
  expressly permitted by the Commission.

The Commission shall not authorize the following games to be played at the
casino:

• Punchboard
• Faro
• Numbers ticket
• Push card
• Jar ticket
• Pull tab

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the West Virginia Lottery
Commission may license any casino to sell regular West Virginia Lottery games
authorized by W.Va. Code §29-22-1 et seq.”

The racetrack casinos are required to use a cashless system such as chips,
with the exception of video lottery games.

Here’s what the West Virginia state lottery website says about the video
lottery:

“In the state of West Virginia, Video Lottery is the legal use of player
interactive gaming machines similar to those commonly known as “slot” machines
in the casino industry. As of 1994, video lottery was approved, with restraints
set forth by law, at West Virginia’s four thoroughbred and greyhound racetracks.
The issue had to be approved by voters in the counties in which each track is
located.

In 2001, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill allowing for a limited
number of video lottery machines in adult environments. It is referred to as the
“Limited Video Lottery Act.” The measure outlawed pre-existing “gray” or “poker”
machines and restricted the number of Limited Video Lottery terminals to no more
than 9,000. The environments in which they are permitted are classified as
adult-only based on the fact that they possess a Class A, Alcohol Beverage
Control Administration (ABCA) license and meet various other legal
requirements.”

Sports and Race Betting: Pari-Mutuel Wagering Only

Both greyhound and horse racing are legal in West Virginia, with pari-mutuel
wagering on the races allowed. Simulcast betting is also allowed.

Here’s what the West Virginia Code says about pari-mutuel betting:

“The pari-mutuel system of wagering upon the results of any horse or dog race
at any horse or dog race meeting conducted or held by any licensee is hereby
authorized if, and only if, such pari-mutuel wagering is conducted by the
licensee within the confines of the licensee’s horse racetrack or dog racetrack
and the provisions of section one, article ten, chapter sixty-one of this code
relating to gaming shall not apply to the pari-mutuel system of wagering in
manner and form as provided in this article at any horse or dog race meeting
within this state where horse or dog racing is permitted for any purse by any
licensee. A licensee shall permit or conduct only the pari-mutuel system of
wagering within the confines of the licensee’s racetrack at which any horse or
dog race meeting is conducted or held.”

West Virginia has two horse racing tracks and two greyhound racing tracks.

Lottery: Legal

West Virginia does have a state-regulated lottery.

Here’s what the West Virginia Lottery website says:

“West Virginia voters approved the Lottery Amendment to the State
Constitution on November 6, 1984 by a vote of 67% for the amendment. The West
Virginia Legislature passed the Lottery Act in April of 1985 and it was signed
into law that May by Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.

West Virginia’s first instant tickets were sold on January 9, 1986 and more
than 1.5 million tickets were sold on that first day.”

Today the West Virginia Lottery sells over $1.1 billion every year, with more
than $520 million of that money going toward various things in West Virginia,
including schools, senior citizens, tourism, and state parks.

Here’s what the West Virginia Lottery website says about their games:

“The Lottery sells more than 40 different instant games a year, offers the
popular in-state online drawing games of Keno, Daily 3, Daily 4, and Cash 25,
offers the Multi-State Lottery games of Powerball®, Mega Millions® and Hot
Lotto, regulates limited video lottery, and regulates video lottery and table
games at the state’s four racetrack casinos and the Greenbrier Resort.”

Bingo: Charitable Gaming Only

Here’s what the West Virginia Charitable Gaming Laws says about bingo:

“The legislature, in recognition of the recreational enjoyment the people of
West Virginia receive from playing bingo and of the need charitable and public
service organizations have for a practicable way of raising funds, declares its
intent to grant the privilege of holding bingo games to those organizations
which qualify for a license as provided below.”

Only qualified organizations can get a license to hold bingo games. The
organizations that qualify include charitable or public service organizations.

Here’s the definition of charitable or public service organizations according
to West Virginia Charitable Gaming Laws:

“a bona fide, not for profit, tax-exempt, benevolent, educational,
philanthropic, humane, patriotic, civic, religious, fraternal, or eleemosynary
incorporated or unincorporated association or organization; or a volunteer fire
department, rescue unit or other similar volunteer community service
organization or association; but does not include any nonprofit association or
organization, whether incorporated or not, which is organized primarily for the
purposes of influencing legislation or supporting or promoting the campaign of
any candidate for public office.”

Here are the prizes that may be awarded and the limitation on prizes:

“during the period of a license the average total prizes awarded by a
licensee, or in the aggregate by two or more limited occasion licensees holding
a joint bingo occasion, for any bingo occasion held pursuant to an annual or
limited occasion license, may not exceed ten thousand dollars in value.

Prizes may be money or merchandise other than beer, nonintoxicating beer,
wine, spirits or alcoholic liquor as defined in section five, article one,
chapter sixty of this code. If the prizes are merchandise, the value assigned to
them is their fair market value at the time of purchase.”

Social Gambling: Unclear

Social gambling laws are unclear in West Virginia.

Here’s what the West Virginia Code says about gambling on games of chance:

“If any person at any place, public or private, bet or wage money or other
thing of value on any game of chance, or shall knowingly furnish any money or
other thing of value to any other person to bet or wage on any such game, he
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less
than five nor more than three hundred dollars, and shall, if required by the
court, give security for his good behavior for one year, and in default of the
payment of such fine and the costs and the execution of such bond, if such bond
be required, shall be imprisoned in the county jail not less than ten nor more
than thirty days.”

Owning a gaming table or device and gambling on a game of chance are illegal,
but no laws in the West Virginia Code talk about games of skill, like poker,
being played in a social setting.

It’s common for low-stake poker games to take place at West Virginia homes,
and the law enforcement in West Virginia doesn’t seem interested in prohibiting
them.

Legal Gambling In West Virginia

Gambling Venues in West Virginia

1) Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort

1420 Mountaineer Circle

New Cumberland, WV 26047

(800) 804-0468

2) Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack

1 S Stone St

Wheeling, WV 26003

(304) 232-5050

3) Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

750 Hollywood Dr

Charles Town, WV 25414

(800) 795-7001

4) Mardi Gras Casino and Resort

1 Greyhound Dr

Cross Lanes, WV 25313

(304) 776-1000

History of Gambling in West Virginia

Sports Gambling In West Virginia

The West Virginia Racing Commission is created to oversee the racetracks and pari-mutuel betting at them.

The Racetrack Veideo Lottery Act is passed which allows Video Lottery Terminals to be places in ractracks. Video lottery terminals are allowed in bars today also.

Table games are legalized at the four racetrack casinos in West Virginia.

The fifth casino in West Virginia and only one without a racetrack is opened.

Gambling Places In West Virginia

Additional Resources

The Future & Your Views

Overall, West Virginia is a gambling-friendly state. The casino and racetrack
establishments offer a range of casino games, slot machines, and pari-mutuel
betting on horse and greyhound racing. A state lottery and charitable bingo
games are also legal in the state.

Gambling In West Virginia

West Virginia gambling sites with state-regulated poker or other casino games
could be a thing of the near future. With a bill currently in consideration to
legalize online gambling in West Virginia, it’s possible to see West Virginia
gambling sites within the next year.

History Of Gambling In West Virginia

Delaware has shown interest in partnering up with West Virginia if they
legalize online gambling in order to allow residents from their state to play on
each other’s state-regulated sites.