West Virginia Sports Betting and Best Sportsbooks

West Virginia Sports Betting Updates

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 WV sportsbooks is licensed by the state. The West Virginia sportsbook is often branded after its partner brand. Several of these physical operators are also connected to digital platforms.

The West Virginia sports betting license allows each licensed casino to offer up to three different branded sportsbook platforms. The state’s legislation requires the operator to show the name of the casino to which the license was granted.

The state’s five brick-and-mortar casinos are approved for licensing, which means anyone 21 or older can bet on sports in-person at the WV sportsbooks. (Bettors should note that one of the casinos, the Greenbrier Resort, only permits gambling by hotel guests and club members).

Each online sportsbook in West Virginia is reachable from desktop browsers or smartphones using its partner brand’s sports betting app. Whether you have an iOS or Android device, there are dedicated apps available to download.

Best West Virginia Sports Betting Sites

Mobile sports apps offer huge advantages for sports bettors, most notably convenience and the ability to check odds and lines at multiple sportsbooks in West Virginia simultaneously. Whether you use iOS or Android, all of the apps can be downloaded from your operator’s site or the App Store. It’s easy and free of charge.

FanDuel: FanDuel Sportsbook has one of the most downloaded apps in states with legal sports betting. Partnered with the Greenbrier Casino Club, the FanDuel sportsbook app contains all of the most popular sports and wagering options, along with a live (in-game) betting feature and bet slip option.

DraftKings: Tops the state in online sportsbook revenue and is among the leading national operators. Partnered with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, DraftKings offers easy-to-use sports betting app that works quickly and adjusts well to smaller screen size. Offers live betting and betting slip option.

Caesars Sportsbook: Leading global operator William Hill agreed to be acquired by Caesars Entertainment in 2020, merging two sports gambling powerhouses. Caesars West Virginia is partnered with the Mountaineer Casino in the northern part of the state, where it has a retail location. Caesars WV is a top online operator in several states, including the biggest markets in the US.

BetMGM: Partnered with the Greenbrier Casino Club, the BetMGM app has all of the same wagering options as the browser platform. Many betting options are available with odds boost promotions, depending on the sport and day of the week.

How We Pick the Best WV Sports Betting Sites

Among the most important factors we consider at Bookies.com when choosing the best WV online sports betting sites:

• Safety and security: We only recommend online WV sportsbooks that are licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission, which regulates West Virginia sports betting in the state. The commission is charged with “establishing a secure, responsible, fair and legal system of sports wagering.’’ We never recommend betting with offshore-based online operators, which are not licensed and operate with little or no oversight.
• Software and user experience: Your West Virginia online sportsbook should be user-friendly and easy to navigate with software that is functional and responsive, both on desktop and for mobile betting.
• Bonuses and promotions: Online bonuses are standard fare to sign up new players, but not all bonuses are the same. Some are more restrictive, requiring significant play before the bonus money can be redeemed. We help determine which bonus offers are the most lucrative and look for the frequency of other promotions, such as odds boosts.
• Odds and prices: Your best sportsbooks should offer the sports and type of wagers you want to play, at the most competitive prices. You should be able to place parlay bets, props, teasers, totals and moneyline wagers in West Virginia.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in West Virginia?

Yes. West Virginia sports betting was approved in 2018, the fifth state to do so. The first land-based WV sportsbook began operations in August of that year, with online sports betting in West Virginia launching in December 2018. As of June 2020, five retail WV sportsbooks and three online betting sites were operating in West Virginia, with more online betting sites expected to join the market.

Bettors must be as least 21 years old, and all sports wagers must be placed within the state of West Virginia.

Benefits of Legal West Virginia Sports Betting

The most obvious benefit of online sports betting is convenience. Online sports gambling allows you to bet from your home computer or your sports betting app from anywhere within the state, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No need to drive or to stand in line to wager.

Wagering online also allows you to shop for the best prices instantaneously via computer or smartphone, rather than making trips to different West Virginia sportsbooks looking for the best odds on games you want to bet. Online wagering is simply more efficient.

It’s also far easier to track your performance with online sports wagering, either through your account balance or win/loss statements, which are provided to you for free.

Complete List of WV Online Sportsbooks

Sports Bets Offered in West Virginia

• Moneyline: A wager on a team to win a game based on moneyline odds set by the WV sportsbook. No point spread. If the Pittsburgh Steelers are -140 to beat the Cleveland Browns (+120), a bettor must wager $140 to win $100 on the favored Steelers, or $100 to win $120 on the underdog Browns.
• Point Spread: A team is favored to win a game by a specific number of points or goals. Bettors choose the favorite or underdog with their respective odds. Let’s say the Steelers are a 3-point favorite over the Browns. To cash a bet on the Steelers, they must win the game by more than 3 points. To cash on the Browns, they must win the game or lose by two points or less. If the Steelers win by 3, it’s a push and the bet is refunded.
• Parlay: A wager on two games or more. All selections must win for the parlay to cash. The more teams in the parlay, the higher the odds and payoff.
• Totals: A wager that the final score will be over or under the combined points/goal of both teams in a particular game.
• Futures: A wager on a team or player to be determined at a later date. Examples of NFL futures bets are wagering on a team to win the Super Bowl before or during the NFL season. In golf, you can bet on a player to win the PGA Championship before the tournament tees off.
• Teasers: Allows the bettor to adjust a point spread in exchange for reduced odds. The bet is often made in a parlay format. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs are 10-point favorites over the Cincinnati Bengals. In a 6-point teaser, the bettor could select the Chiefs -4 or the Bengals +16. The same six-point adjustment is applied to all other games in the parlay. The reduced parlay payout depends on how many points are teased.
• Round Robin: A bettor constructs three different two-team parlays and cashes if one of the parlays wins. A round robin offers less risk than a traditional parlay, but also less reward.
• In-Game: Wagers placed after a game has started. A wide range of betting options may be offered, from adjusted point spreads to real-time proposition bets, such as how many points will be scored during the first quarter of a particular NBA game. Online sports books use computer algorithms to set in-game wagering odds and the action moves quickly.

What Sports Can I Bet on in West Virginia?

The West Virginia betting menu is vast, including all the major sports leagues and major NCAA Division I football and basketball, including games involving West Virginia schools. The list includes soccer, golf, tennis, motorsports, boxing, mixed martial arts and several international sports.

How to Sign Up for WV Sportsbooks

The sign-up process is simple and free. It's similar to signing up for a sports betting account from Arizona, New Jersey, Colorado and soon to come New York Sports Betting will also join the list with the best NY sports betting apps. The only money you’ll need is to fund your account.The first step is to visit the website. You can click on our recommended list above of the best WV sportsbooks and be taken there to claim a special signup bonus. You will be guided through a registration process and asked to provide:

• Name
• Date of birth
• E-mail address
• Cell phone number
• Address
• Last four digits of Social Security number

The last four digits of your Social Security number are necessary for the online WV sportsbook to verify your identity and age, and occasionally you will be asked for the entire number. All bettors must be at least 21 years old and legal wagers must be placed within the state of West Virginia. Geolocation technology pinpoints your location.

After your account is set up, claim whatever bonus offers you choose to accept and select one of the banking options to fund your account. Once funds are deposited, you are ready to wager.

If you experience any sign-up issues, WV online sportsbooks offer technical support on their apps, toll-free numbers, email or online chats.

Payment Options for WV Online Sports Betting

FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM accept several payment options. Among them:

Play+/casino prepaid cards: Some WV online sportsbooks have their own prepaid cards which can be funded with a credit card or checking account. Successful prepaid card transactions process instantly, so you don’t have to wait for a physical card to begin wagering.

PayPal/e-wallets: Online accounts that secure bank or credit card information, allowing for fast, easy deposits. PayPal is the most popular e-wallet, but some online sportsbooks may only accept Neteller.

Debit/credit cards: All WV online sportsbooks accept credit and debits to fund an account, making it the most convenient and popular option. But be aware that some financial institutions still reject gambling transactions as a matter of policy, and others treat these transactions as a cash advance and charge higher fees.

Bank transfer/ACH: The equivalent of an electronic check. A direct connection is established between the online operator and your checking account. Widely accepted, low fees, though transactions may take longer than other methods.

PayNearMe: A cash-only deposit option with no credit cards or bank account needed. Simply bring your cash to a West Virginia 7-Eleven, Family Dollar or CVS Pharmacy and a barcode will transfer the funds to your online account.

How to Deposit and Withdraw and Online Sportsbooks in West Virginia

West Virginia online sportsbooks want to make it as easy as possible to deposit and withdraw from your account, but not all share identical options. In terms of deposits, the options listed above are generally accepted.

Withdrawals are also available in a variety of methods. Processing times vary, but the quickest way to receive your funds is through e-wallets, Play+ and prepaid cards. ACH/bank transfers take longer. If you’re in no hurry to receive your funds, some WV online sportsbooks will mail a check if you request one.

Note that credit/debit cards are generally not a viable withdrawal option. That means if you make a deposit with a credit/debit card, you will need an alternative method to withdraw funds.

Retail West Virginia Sportsbooks & Locations

While West Virginia sports betting online is extremely convenient, WV bettors certainly have retail options as well. WV sports bettors can make in-person sports wagers at any of these West Virginia facilities:

A Closer Look at Each West Virginia Sportsbook

A breakdown (below) of West Virginia online/mobile sportsbooks and partners. Each licensed WV casino or racino is entitled to three skins.

Bonuses & Promotions at WV Sports Betting Sites

West Virginia online sportsbooks offer a variety of bonus offers to sign up new players. Most include playthrough requirements, so it’s important to read the terms and conditions. Among the most popular bonus offers:

Risk-free bets: If your first sports bet loses, the player is credited with a bonus bet of the same amount.

Deposit match: Make a first deposit and your online WV sportsbook will match that amount, sometimes up to 100%.

Odds boosts: The operator will boost the odds for a specific team or proposition bet, lowering or eliminating the house advantage. For example, if the Pittsburgh Pirates are +170 odds to beat the Chicago Cubs, the WV sportsbook may boost the odds to +200 or higher.

Parlay insurance: Occasionally offered on parlays of four teams or more. If all of your teams win except one, your parlay wager is refunded. Teams that are big moneyline favorites may be excluded.

Loyalty programs: Points or credits, earned for each dollar wagered at your online West Virginia sportsbook, can be redeemed for cash when specific thresholds are met. The more you wager, the higher the rewards.

WV Sports Betting History

1986: West Virginia establishes state lottery. First lottery ticket is sold in January.

1987: State allows for video lottery terminals at Mountaineer Park.

1994: State lawmakers pass legislation allowing VLTs to be operated at all state racetracks (and eventually bars).

2007: Tables games and poker are legalized and allowed at state’s pari-mutuel horse tracks (Charles Town, Mountaineer Park) and greyhound tracks (Wheeling Downs, Mardi Gras), transforming them into racinos.

2008: Voters approve referendum allowing casino authorization at The Greenbrier, which opens its Casino Club in 2010.

2016: West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says wagering on Daily Fantasy Sports is legal under state law.

2018: State legislators legalize sports betting in March, pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the Professional and Amateur Sport Protection Act, which is overturned in May. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races accepts state’s first legal sports bet in August.

December 2018: BetLucky.com is West Virginia first online sportsbook to launch, but ceases operations three months later due to dispute between racino owner Delaware North and betting partner Mionmi Gaming. Dispute also closes retail sportsbook at two racinos for nearly a year.

March 2019: West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act is passed, legalizing online gambling and online poker.

August 2019: FanDuel and DraftKings fill the online sports betting gap vacated by BetLucky.com.

January 2020: Delaware North reopens retail WV sportsbooks at its two racinos with new partner IGT.

May 2020: Lottery Commission approves emergency rules for online gaming in the state. Online casinos likely to begin operations later in the year. Permanent rules expected to be approved in 2021.

References

1. West Virginia Lottery
2. US Department of Justice
3. American Gaming Association
4. National Council on Problem Gambling
5. International Association of Gaming Regulators