Is Sports Betting Legal in West Virginia? Everything You Need to Know

History of Sports Betting Legalization in West Virginia

West Virginia’s journey to legal sports betting began with proactive legislation anticipating the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Murphy v. NCAA decision, which overturned the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing states to regulate sports wagering.

In March 2017, H2751 proposed amending the state constitution to legalize sports betting in casinos, setting the stage for SB 415, signed into law on March 9, 2018, without Governor Jim Justice’s signature. This made West Virginia one of the first states to legalize sports betting post-PASPA.

Key milestones include:

• August 30, 2018: First legal bet at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

• December 27, 2018: BetLucky launched online betting, but ceased operations in March 2019 due to legal disputes.

• August 2019: FanDuel and DraftKings stabilized online betting.

• January 2020: BetMGM entered the market.

• March 2022: Esports betting legalized.

• November 2023: Fanatics Sportsbook and ESPN BET launched.

• April 2025: SB 576 authorized fixed-odds horse and dog racing bets.

Compared to Virginia (legalized 2020, launched 2021) and Maryland (legalized 2020, launched 2021–2022), West Virginia’s early adoption positioned it as a regional leader, capturing revenue from offshore markets and establishing a robust framework.

Regulations Governing West Virginia Sports Betting

The West Virginia Lottery Commission oversees sports betting, ensuring compliance, fairness, and consumer protection. Key regulations include:

Age and Location: Bettors must be 21+, verified via KYC (ID, address, SSN digits). Geofencing ensures bets are placed in-state, with violations risking $1,000 fines or 90 days in jail. Non-residents can bet if physically present.

Licensing: Up to five casino licenses, each supporting three online skins (max 15 online sportsbooks). Licenses cost $100,000 initially and for five-year renewals. Nine online sportsbooks operate as of July 2025.

Taxation: A 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) generated $5.6 million in 2024, supporting the General Fund (education, infrastructure, senior services) and the Compulsive Gamblers Treatment Fund. Operators pay a 0.25% federal excise tax. Winnings over $600 face 24% federal and 2.2–4.82% state taxes (4.82% with ID, 6.5% without).

Restricted Markets: Prohibited bets include high school sports, in-state college teams (e.g., WVU Mountaineers, except in national tournaments like March Madness), college player props, politics, entertainment awards, judged sports (except surfing), and LIV Golf Tour. Credit card deposits are banned.

Legal Framework: The 1961 Wire Act and 2006 UIGEA target illegal operators, with state penalties up to 7 years in prison and $2,000 fines. The Commission enforces audited odds, SSL/TLS encryption, and AML compliance.

The Commission’s participation in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement also enables cross-state online poker, enhancing the gambling ecosystem.

Recent Developments in West Virginia Sports Betting

[July 10, 2024]: West Virginia Issues Cease-and-Desist to Bovada Sportsbook 

[May 15, 2024]: West Virginia Online Casinos Report $19.6M Revenue in April 

Where to Bet: Online and Retail Sportsbooks in West Virginia

West Virginia’s hybrid model offers nine online sportsbooks and five retail casinos:

Online Sportsbooks:

• FanDuel (www.fanduel.com): Partnered with The Greenbrier, offers “Bet $5, Get $150.”
• DraftKings (www.draftkings.com): Hollywood Casino partner, features 24 sports markets.
• BetMGM (www.betmgm.com): The Greenbrier, “Bet $10, Get $150.”
• Caesars (www.caesars.com): Mountaineer Casino, offers casino rewards integration.
• Fanatics (www.fanatics.com): Hollywood Casino, launched November 2023.
• ESPN BET: PENN Entertainment, replaced Barstool in 2023.
• BetRivers: Mountaineer Casino, launched June 2022.
• Betly: Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island, replaced BetLucky in 2020.
• Golden Nugget: The Greenbrier Casino Club, joined in 2023.

Retail Sportsbooks:

• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races (Charles Town): First to launch, vibrant betting lounge.
• The Casino Club at The Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs): Private, FanDuel-operated, for resort guests and members.
• Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort (New Cumberland): Caesars and BetRivers lounges.
• Mardi Gras Casino & Resort (Cross Lanes): Betly sportsbook.
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack (Wheeling): Betly betting windows and kiosks. Online betting (95% of 2024’s $505.4 million handle) offers remote registration, diverse payment methods (PayPal, PayNearMe, bank transfers), and promotions. Retail provides social atmospheres, cash transactions, and large-screen viewing, ideal for events like the Super Bowl.

Betting Options: What Can You Bet On in West Virginia?

West Virginia’s sportsbooks offer a wide range of betting options:

Bet Types:

• Moneyline: Bet on the winner.
• Point Spreads: Wager on victory margins.
• Totals (Over/Under): Predict combined scores.
• Parlays: Combine multiple bets for higher payouts.
• Teasers: Adjust spreads for lower odds.
• Futures: Bet on long-term outcomes (e.g., Super Bowl winner).
• Prop Bets: Wager on specific events (e.g., first scorer).
• Live Betting: Real-time bets with dynamic odds.
• Exchange Wagering: Peer-to-peer betting, Lottery-approved.
• Straight Bets: Single-event wagers.

Popular Sports: High demand for NFL (Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders), NBA (Wizards, Cavaliers), MLB (Pirates, Nationals), NHL (Capitals, Penguins), MLS, UFC, boxing, golf, NASCAR, tennis, cricket, and esports (legal since March 2022). NCAAF and NCAAB, especially March Madness, drive significant betting.

Restricted Markets: No bets on high school sports, in-state college teams (e.g., WVU Mountaineers, Marshall Thundering Herd, except in national tournaments), college player props, politics, entertainment awards, judged sports (except surfing), or LIV Golf Tour. Credit card deposits are prohibited. West Virginia’s proximity to Pittsburgh and D.C. fuels fandom, with retail sportsbooks creating social hubs and online platforms ensuring rural access.

Economic Impact of Sports Betting in West Virginia

Sports betting significantly bolsters West Virginia’s economy. In 2024, the market generated a $505.4 million handle and $55.4 million GGR, up 16.5% from 2023, with $5.6 million in taxes at 10% AGR. October 2024 alone recorded a $50 million handle, with September and August up 48% and 78% year-over-year, driven by college football.

The West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Fund allocates the first $15 million to the State Lottery Fund, supporting education, infrastructure, parks, and senior services, with excess funds aiding public employee health insurance. The Compulsive Gamblers Treatment Fund receives $400,000–$2 million annually for treatment programs.

Casinos like The Greenbrier and Hollywood Casino drive tourism, boosting hospitality and retail. The industry creates jobs in technology, customer service, and hospitality, while redirecting revenue from offshore markets. Compared to New York ($22.6 billion handle) or South Dakota ($775,000 GGR), West Virginia’s market is mid-tier but impactful for its 1.8 million population.

Risks of Offshore Betting in West Virginia

Some bettors turn to offshore platforms like Bovada for broader markets (e.g., college props, politics) or tax avoidance, but risks are substantial. A July 2024 cease-and-desist order against Bovada underscores enforcement efforts. Risks include:

• Legal: Geolocation violations incur $1,000 fines or 90 days in jail; unlicensed gambling faces up to 7 years in prison and $2,000 fines. Federal laws (Wire Act, UIGEA) risk account seizures.

• Financial: Delayed or withheld payouts, account closures, or site disappearances.

• Data Security: No U.S. protections increase fraud and identity theft risks, especially with cryptocurrencies. Legal sportsbooks provide audited odds, SSL/TLS encryption, segregated funds, and responsible gambling tools, ensuring safety and recourse unavailable offshore.

Responsible Gambling in West Virginia

West Virginia prioritizes responsible gambling with robust tools and resources:

Tools:

• Self-Exclusion: Statewide program, indefinite duration, reversible after one year with notarized documentation. Violations risk confiscation of winnings and legal penalties.
• Deposit/Spending/Time Limits: Operators offer daily, weekly, or monthly caps, with alerts for threshold breaches.
• Cooling-Off Periods: Temporary betting pauses.
• No Credit Betting: Prohibited to prevent debt.
• AI Monitoring: Identifies risky behaviors, with weekly operator reports.

Resources:

• Problem Gambling Help Network of WV (1-800-GAMBLER): Handled 1,400 calls in 2025 (up 17%), offers 24/7 helpline, chat, crisis counseling, and up to 20 free treatment sessions. Funded $1.45 million in 2021.
• National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700).
• WV Council on Problem Gambling (www.vcpg.net).
• Gamblers Anonymous/Gam-Anon: Three active GA groups in 2021.
• Birches Health: Telehealth treatment.
• WV Gaming and Racing Association: Promotes safe gambling environments.

Funding: The Compulsive Gamblers Treatment Fund receives $400,000–$2 million annually from lottery and betting taxes. West Virginia ranks sixth nationally, spending $0.82 per capita on problem gambling services.

Tips: Budget 1–5% of disposable income, take 30–60-minute breaks, avoid chasing losses, and balance betting with activities like visiting Harpers Ferry or attending Mountaineers games.

Future Outlook for West Virginia Sports Betting

West Virginia’s market is poised for growth. With nine online sportsbooks, the state can support up to 15 (three skins per casino). Recent entries include Fanatics Casino (May 2025) and Oddin.gg (esports, July 2024). Potential new operators include Unibet or bet365.

Legislation: SB 576 (April 2025) allows fixed-odds horse and dog racing bets, with 10% of revenue supporting racing funds. HB 4700 (March 2025) bans harassers, protecting athletes. A 2024 law enables WVU to access anonymized betting data for research, fostering innovation. No repeal threats exist, unlike Virginia’s H.133.

Restrictions on in-state college betting and college player props align with NCAA guidelines but may push some to offshore platforms. Enforcement, like the Bovada order, mitigates this. The 10% tax rate (lower than Pennsylvania’s 36%) attracts operators, ensuring stability.

Is sports betting legal in West Virginia in 2025?

Yes, legal since March 2018, with nine online and five retail sportsbooks.

What is the minimum betting age?

21, verified via KYC.

Can I bet on WVU Mountaineers?

Only in national tournaments like March Madness; college player props are banned.

What are the best sportsbooks in West Virginia?

FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics offer robust options.