Sports betting is legal and operational in West Virginia. Bettors located within state lines can bet online through licensed mobile betting apps or visit retail sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks to place wagers in-person. West Virginia also regulates online gambling and poker, online horse racing betting, and daily fantasy sports. In March 2018, West Virginia passed a law to make sports betting legal (Senate Bill 415). West Virginia had five venues in place — including both commercial casinos and racetracks — and all were open for business by the end of 2018. Best Sportsbooks in West Virginia 1. West Virginia sports betting was approved months before the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. West Virginia was one of the first states with legalized sports betting. Each of the casinos with sportsbooks is licensed by the state. The sportsbook is often branded after its partner brand. West Virginia was one of the earliest states into sports betting. In August 2018, it became the fifth state to legalize sports gambling and the third to approve online betting. FanDuel quickly took advantage of this opportunity by launching a WV online sportsbook in August 2019. DraftKings and BetMGM have since joined it in the market.

Legalized sports betting in West Virginia debuted in March 2018. The state legislature was able to pass a law thanks to the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

Since that time, a lot has happened that’s changed the betting landscape in the Mountain State.

Let’s examine the current WV sports betting market, including online sports betting apps and land-based retail WV sportsbooks.

West Virginia Online Sportsbooks

WV sports betting apps

Technically, there has been online sports betting in West Virginia since 2018. However, the only current sportsbooks still active in the state are FanDuel Sportsbook WV, DraftKings Sportsbook WV, and BetMGM Sportsbook WV.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings have been accepting wagers in the state since August 2019. BETMGM launched in January 2020.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKingsSportsbook and Hollywood Casino Charles Town partnered in Dec. 2018 to bring online betting to the state. DraftKings launched its online sports betting app on Aug. 28, 2019.

WV bettors now have access to one of the best online sportsbooks available in the US. The NJ version of the app offers a highly competitive welcome offer to new customers and has more sports and betting types available than most.

DraftKings also has a web-based sportsbook as well as an app for both Apple and Android users.

FanDuel Sportsbook

The FanDuel Sportsbook will service its retail-based sportsbook located at The Greenbrier. The casino partnered with FanDuel last September with the goal of bringing both a land-based and online sportsbook to WV.

Similar to DraftKings, FanDuel is one of the best mobile betting apps anywhere. It offers something for bettors of all kinds and always has a large number of live in-game listings available.

The sportsbook’s quality is one of the reasons it’s always among the top-grossing apps in terms of revenue in NJ. It looks to mimic that performance in West Virginia.

BETMGM Sportsbook

BETMGM Sportsbook launched in January 2020 as the continuation of a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings. The West Virginia app joins its New Jersey counterpart as the first two sportsbook offerings under the BETMGM brand.

BETMGM is operating in West Virginia as the second online sportsbook on The Greenbrier’s license. The Greenbrier has hosted FanDuel’s online operation since August 2019.

BETMGM is an innovative app that combines all the expected bells and whistles of a modern online sportsbook with a few innovations of its own. Chief among those features is an option for players to edit their existing bets under certain conditions.

These kinds of creative sparks and the powerhouses behind the site should place it in good stead to compete with the existing sportsbooks in the Mountain State.

Land based WV sportsbooks

All five casinos in the state of WV opened retail sportsbooks before the end of Dec. 2018. They include:

As mentioned, the Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island sportsbooks are currently closed because of the issues with their betting provider.

The casino’s owner, Delaware North, is looking for a new sports betting partner but may have to wait until the dust settles on its old venture before doing so.

Hollywood Casino Sportsbook

The Hollywood Casino Sportsbook is the biggest casino in the state located in Charles Town, WV. It opened its doors for sports betting in Sept. 2018.

The land-based sportsbook dominates the WV market on a weekly basis in terms of both overall handle and revenue generated. The main reason for its consistent success is the casino’s location to nearby cities without legal sports betting.

Many residents from both Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., make their way to Hollywood to place sports bets.

Hollywood Casino Sportsbook Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – midnight
• Friday: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. – midnight

Mountaineer Sportsbook

The Mountaineer Sportsbook is positioned between the border of Ohio and WV in New Cumberland. Its sports betting operation launched in Nov. 2018. Mountaineer’s closest major city is Pittsburgh, PA.

Mountaineer Sportsbook Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – midnight
• Friday: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m. – midnight

The FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier, located in White Sulphur Springs, WV, is the only private casino in the entire country. It’s actually owned by Governor Jim Justice and it started accepting legal sports bets in Sept. 2018.

Although betting is only permitted for Casino Club members and guests of the hotel, many local WV residents will gather at The Greenbrier to watch and bet on major sporting events.

The FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 4 a.m.
• Sunday: 1 p.m. – 3 a.m.

Benefits of legal WV sportsbooks

Legal sportsbooks and mobile betting apps are the smart move for residents in WV and across the US. A bettor has more customer protections when betting with a regulated sportsbook.

Sometimes bettors lose their money or have to deal with stressful problems regarding payment and accessibility with illegal books. Now that there are multiple options available to those in WV, there’s no excuse not to use regulated sportsbooks.

They allow you to deposit money and bet while knowing that you’re dealing with a legal option and respected brand in the gambling industry.

Once online sports betting returns to the Mountain State, things will get even easier.

Bettors will be able to place wagers from the convenience of their own home and do so with one of the top brands in the betting market.

These online sportsbooks provide customers with a lot more than a reliable way to wager, too. Most will offer new-player signup bonuses as well as promotions and loyalty programs with rewards.

Popular sporting events bet on in WV

There are certain annual sporting events that garner more betting action than your common game. Some have become so popular that even casual fans might place a bet to make things more interesting.

Some of the top sports betting events in WV include:

• Super Bowl
• March Madness
• The Masters
• Kentucky Derby
• Wimbledon

WV sports betting history

2019

Rep. Shawn Fluharty introduced House Bill 2178, a bill legalizing online gambling, including casino games and poker. Focusing on the impending launch of several new online sportsbooks, the West Virginia Lottery Commission announced it would not support the gambling expansion bill.

2018

Fluharty reintroduces a sports betting bill in early January. State Sen. Stephen Baldwin files a matching bill, S 106, in the Senate. Neither bill passes, but the ball is rolling.

Later that month, State Senator Ryan Ferns files S 415. This bill set the license fee at $100,000 and established that sports betting would be taxed at ten percent of revenue.

The bill quickly passed through both chambers of the legislature. Gov. Jim Justice allowed the bill to become law without his signature, and thus, West Virginia became a sports betting state on March 3, 2018.

2017

In March, Fluharty introduces H 2751. The bill failed to pass but succeeded in stirring up the conversation.

In September, the state commissioned a $160,000 feasibility study regarding legal sports betting in West Virginia. The study found that 30 states will eventually legalize sports betting, which emphasized the importance of timing for legalizing sports betting in the Mountain State.

2016

State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed numerous amicus curiae briefs in support of New Jersey’s federal lawsuit against PASPA.

WV sports betting timeline

Aug. 10, 2018: The West Virginia Lottery Commission granted interim sports betting permits to Penn National and FanDuel.

Aug. 30, 2018: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races became the first legal sportsbook in the state to accept wagers.

Sept. 13, 2018: The Greenbrier opened its sports betting windows and maintains the only private casino in America. It made a deal with daily fantasy sports titan FanDuel Group in June 2018 to operate its sports betting facility.

Nov. 21, 2018: Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort became the third sports betting location.

Dec. 27, 2018: Mardi Gras Casino and Resort and Wheeling Island Hotel launched both retail and mobile sports betting.

March 6, 2019: Mardi Gras and Wheeling sportsbooks, along with their online app BetLucky Sportsbook, cease operations.

WV sports betting FAQ

Is there an age requirement to bet on sports in WV?

Yes. You must be 21 years old to place bets in West Virginia.

Do you need to be a WV resident to place a sports bet?

No, but you must be physically located within WV’s borders at the time of placing a wager.

Who oversees sports betting in WV?

The West Virginia Lottery Commission.

Are there mobile sportsbooks available in WV?

Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook both offer online betting in West Virginia.

There are indeed legal sports betting opportunities in West Virginia, if you know the right destinations at which to place your bets. The Federal Wire Act of 1961 and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act combine to effectively ban online and offline sports betting in the United States. The only exceptions are the four states that are exempt from PASPA, meaning they can offer brick and mortar bookmaking services to their residents and visitors. These states include Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. These federal laws ensure that there are no state licensed bookmaking services in the state of West Virginia. There are no state laws addressing sports betting or online gambling in West Virginia.

The US federal laws governing sports betting in the US do not prohibit US residents from enjoying betting opportunities from legally licensed and regulated sportsbooks located offshore. These legal destinations are not subject to, nor do they violate any US federal laws or WV state law. Therefore you can bet on your favorite teams and sports without worrying about breaking the law. Both federal and state law do prohibit players from participating in unlicensed and unregulated gambling operations. This means it is critical that you only visit and bet at gambling sites that are legitimately licensed and subject to regulatory oversight. The brands recommended in this guide qualify as legal sportsbooks gambling sites. You can review the state gambling laws yourself by visiting the West Virginia state legislature website.

What is the Legal Gambling Age in West Virginia?

The legal gambling age in West Virginia is 21 years of age. This includes the minimum legal age for betting on sports online. Anyone who attempts to place bets prior to their 21st birthday is doing so in direct violation of the law. Among other penalties, those caught engaging in underage gambling will loose their winnings and any other funds associated with their gambling session. We strongly urge you not to consider this course of action. It is not worth the consequences.

What Types of Betting Lines Will I Find at Legal West Virginia Sportsbooks?

While we cannot speak for all sportsbooks, the brands represented in this guide all offers a tremendous selection of sports events covered in their betting lines. This includes lines on football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, hockey, soccer, NASCAR and other motor sports, boxing, Olympic events, and other mainstream sports categories. You will also find lines covering those categories that are not as mainstream, including cricket, rugby, cycling, swimming, and boating, among others. Professional, collegiate, and European leagues are included, so you'll have lines covering NFL, NCAA, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, as well as leagues from Europe and other countries. Many of our featured brands also offer lines on non-sports related events that include celebrity gossip, reality competitive TV shows, current events, and politics. By doing this they often attract gamblers who enjoy betting but are not strong sports fans. You will also notice that many of our recommended brands also offer other gambling venues, such as casino gambling, horse betting and poker.

The Marshall Thundering Herd

Most people who know of Marshall outside of the state of West Virginia typically know them for two reasons. Number one, they made a movie about them recently, 'We Are Marshall,' which was the story of how the team kept going even though the entire team and staff died tragically in a plane crash. Secondly, people know them for the combination of Chad Pennington and Randy Moss that wreaked havoc on the collegiate world for a couple of great years in the late '90s. In recent years, however, Marshall hasn't had much going for it. Will things ultimately turn around for the embattled program?

Marshall actually did better than expected last year, and that's primarily because they play outside of teams that you're going to find in top-25 bowl contention. They play in C-USA, alongside teams like Alabama Birmingham, Louisiana Tech, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, and Old Dominion, to name a few. Even still, the betting structure is still the same, and gamblers still win and/or lose real money on the team.

Last year, the Thundering Herd were actually 9-5 ATS (against the spread), 2-0 after a bye, and 4-1 in non-conference games. As the away favorites, they were 4-2, and one of their worst categories was in-conference games, where they went 5-4. They're a better team this year, though they're currently 1-1 on the record and ATS. But we do expect a solid Marshall performance, with a 10-4 ATS record in all games.

The West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers of West Virginia were way down on the list last year in terms of NCAA rankings, at roughly #67. Part of this was because they lost their top QB Geno Smith to the Jets in the NFL draft, and another part was that they play in a very tough conference. Unlike Marshall, the Mountaineers play in a legit power-five conference, the Big 12, with teams like Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. Now, the Big 12 isn't like the SEC or anything, but it's certainly a far cry from C-USA.

Wv Mobile Sports Betting

In all their games last year, the Mountaineers managed to go 7-6 ATS, and actually really surprised people as underdogs by going 4-1. This meant that they were a competitive team that didn't get blown out often. And they did this primarily outside of their conference, as teams like Baylor and TCU simply put up too many points to sustain a cover.

When Will West Va Have Sports Betting

The Big 12 has actually stepped up this year instead of down, so we don't expect great things for West Virginia. Look for a year where they might improve on their ATS to the tune of 8-5, but don't expect much more than that. They're an iffy bet, at very best, and anyone betting on them might want to look elsewhere in the Big 12, e.g. TCU or Baylor.