West Virginia Casinos

Your Absolute Guide to West Virginia Online Casinos

The landmark Supreme Court ruling that enabled different states to establish online casinos (especially after the Black Friday crash) has significantly impacted West Virginia, even though it’s only a tiny dot on the online gambling horizon. Needless to say, online casinos are growing at a faster rate in US states, and West Virginia is another state that has set the stage for online gambling and gone about it in the right way. With over 1.78 million individuals residing in West Virginia, the state makes its mark as one of the pioneers of online casino gaming in the United States. Although retail casinos in the Mountain State have been legal for years, online casinos in West Virginia were first legalized in 2019.

This was a great move, not just because the world was tilting to technological adaptations in all its endeavors. West Virginia also generated a reasonable revenue in tax charges, and this money was then used for infrastructural developments, education, and more.

Table of Contents

Pros and cons

How to choose the best online casino

Online casino games

Mobile gaming

Bonuses

Payment methods

History

FAQ

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Despite having limited providers and a small population compared to the other states on the list where online gambling is legal, West Virginia has some of the best online casinos in the country, with top contenders such as BetMGM, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, Caesars Palace, BetRivers, and FanDuel making WV their home. In other words, it may be small, but it packs quite a punch! WV also has five land-based casinos, and the West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates online casino gambling. The lawful age to participate in e-wagering is 21 years, and bettors are subjected to a state tax rate of 2% to 5.75% on winnings - so it’s all legal, regulated, and above-board.

West Virginia online casinos chips image

Today, we will delve deeper into West Virginia online casino wagering, and, more importantly, how you can get started. The other aspects we will discuss include the pros (and downsides) of e-wagering in WV, what to consider when choosing WV casinos, the betting options available to WV players, and many more. Aside from this, we've also included some interesting history and facts about casino gaming in WV, so you know how it all began in the Mountain State.

There are also some interesting updates in WV as of May, 2024, and one of these updates is sure to delight any poker enthusiast - West Virginia’s online poker scene is set to begin in the latter part of 2024, and the best poker operators are expected to make for a fascinating lineup - BetMGM, WSOP, and PokerStars, among others.

The WV online casino landscape has been ready and waiting for years - since June 2020, in fact, when the first online casino opened its virtual doors - and it is standing on the cusp of some major changes. Are you ready to dive in? Let’s see what’s in store for West Virginians this 2024.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Wagering Online in West Virginia

There are some guaranteed hits when you decide to go online for casino gaming. But to be perfectly honest, there are some misses as well, just like in land-based casinos. But here are some of the pros of wagering on a web-based casino in West Virginia:

Convenience and Flexibility

Players have been wagering at retail bookmakers long before the introduction of online casinos in West Virginia. However, we must admit: web-based wagering has a different feel to it. Bettors can easily place their bets conveniently without visiting a retail bookmaker. This saves you a lot of time, especially if your preferred bookmaker is far from your location in the state.

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and wanting to book your bets. It’s almost impossible - not to mention incredibly inconvenient - if you were to visit a retail casino! However, employing online resources is feasible as you can place your wagers with your mobile device in minutes. You no longer have to dress up and drive - your favorite online casino is at your fingertips.

Safety and Privacy

We can all agree on one thing: nothing beats privacy. When you make use of online casino wagering, you can place wagers without anybody knowing. On the other hand, wagering at retail bookmakers places you in a position where other people will know you gamble. It’s far from ideal, and your safety might also be compromised. For instance, there have been instances where bettors were assaulted (and robbed!) of their winnings when leaving a retail bookmaker. E-wagering saves you from such scenarios, and you can be assured of the safety of your sensitive information at all times, since all casinos have technology in place to protect your data.

Multiple Payment Options

Online WV casinos provide a lot of payment options to their customers, even adding more options as we speak - the payment methods are constantly changing, making it more convenient for online casino-goers like you. You can check the betting options on your preferred WV casino and decide which one to use. It is noteworthy that bookers will usually payout using the same deposit method, so make sure you access your options carefully.

Easy Bet Monitoring

One great advantage you have as an online bettor is that you can wager online and easily monitor the progress of your bets. All you need is to login into your betting account and navigate the open bets section. You can basically manage your account, place your bets, and watch your progress - all from the relative ease and safety of your gadget.

Multiple Betting Options

WV players also have a plethora of betting alternatives to choose from. For instance, because online gaming is fully legal in West Virginia, bettors can play everything from blackjack, roulette, slot, poker, sports betting, live casino games, fantasy sports, and more. You can explore any of these options as meticulously as you want, and you don’t have to waste anybody's time at the casino or bookmaker. The freedom you have is exhilarating!

Bonuses and Promotional Offers

One of the best things about online casinos and bookmakers in West Virginia are the bonuses and promos they offer customers. Players that wager online have a better chance of being eligible for these bonuses and promos. In other words, online casino platforms give better bonuses and promos than their land-based counterparts simply because they have less costs! Some common bonuses are free bets, no deposit, welcome, and referral bonuses. You'll be positioning yourself for big gains if you can leverage these bonuses.

But, as mentioned, there are also some downsides to online casino wagering, as follows:

Payout Delays

Withdrawing your winnings can take time and effort. In WV as in other states where online casino gambling is legal, most online casinos and bookmakers only allow bettors to withdraw their winnings through the same payment method, although this is changing, too. Also, they may require further verification when a payout is initiated, which could be quite frustrating for the bettor - but keep in mind that verifying your account can also be seen as advantageous to you, because your identity is protected and verified. It wouldn’t be easy for unscrupulous individuals to attempt to impersonate you!

Addiction

Since it's easy to wager online, bettors may spend too much time gambling. Don't get us wrong. It's possible to be addicted to gambling if you use retail casinos and bookmakers, and we all know this. However, the direct access that a web-based WV casino provides can easily get you addicted as well. But if you can control yourself or make use of various tools and resources (of which there are plenty), you'd have no problems. Otherwise, you can always contact the West Virginia Gaming & Racing Association or other gambling bodies for support. Sometimes, it’s all about knowing that there are resources and organizations out there who are ready to give a helping hand.

Transaction Fees

It can be quite hard to keep all your money if you gamble at a web-based WV casino due to the charges incurred when depositing and withdrawing. This may be frustrating, especially when you're dealing with small amounts. One piece of advice is to find out which banking option has the lowest fees, and take advantage of that option.

A man playing at the best West Virginia online casinos image

Criteria to Consider When Choosing an Online Casino in WV

There’s no doubt about it: we will always advise our readers to consider their options carefully before settling for any casino, particularly a WV casino. First, you must ensure that the online casino or bookmaker addresses your own betting needs. Choosing casinos or bookmakers can be tough, especially if you're a beginner.

But the good news is that you can use the following criteria as the yardstick when choosing casinos in West Virginia:

Best Online Casino Bonuses

Compared to other bigger states like Pennsylvania, online casinos in West Virginia are limited to a few options. This means there is fierce competition between casinos and bookmakers to keep customers. So what is a better way to keep customers than offering them mouthwatering bonuses? This is certainly good for you as you can leverage the bonus offers to win more. However, don't go for bonuses alone. Always consider quality service first.

Safety and Support

The next criteria is, how safe is the WV casino? What kind of experiences do other players have with customer support? These are some of the questions you should answer when assessing the casinos West Virginia offers.

Safety is always critical when wagering online, as your personal information can be easily leaked to scammers and hackers. Therefore, your information should be protected. The first step to doing so is selecting a trusted and safe casino that has different security measures (such as SSL encryption) in place and is strict about verifying the players’ identity.

Mobile Options

A casino in West Virginia can offer an amazing web experience to users - but a poor user experience on the mobile app. On the other hand, some players prefer using the app to the website because it's relatively easier and safer to access your account through the app. Whichever your preference is, ensure your casino has a great web and mobile app. One gives you the utmost convenience, while the other gives you better navigability and ease of use, so decide which is better for you.

Payment Flexibility

One important aspect of e-wagering is payment flexibility. When this is taken away, wagering online becomes a struggle as you're limited to a few payment options. However, with several payment options, you can easily select those methods you're comfortable using, whether you’re more comfortable using PayPal, ACH or e-checks, or a newer payment method like Play+ or ApplePay.

Games and Software

Of course, it also pays to go for an online casino platform that can give you an array of games and software options. A provider with a great combination of games such as slot games, table games, and even live dealer games and sports betting are excellent as a standard requirement.

Game Options

As a bettor, of course you want full flexibility as well, which can only be achieved when there is a wide range of betting options. You would want to choose something that fits your preferences and suits your gameplay mood, whether you want to try your luck at slots or want to go all-out at sports betting, it’s important that you find an all-inclusive casino in WV that suits your needs.

West Virginia Online Casino Games Options

WV Players have a plethora of exciting betting alternatives to explore. Here are some of the most popular and thrilling game options that will give you endless hours of entertainment:

Slots

West Virginia online casino offers more than a few unique online slot games. In traditional slot machines that you will often see in retail casinos, the games are often ordered based on the number of bets wagered on them. The case is quite different in online slots, as you can place any desired amount. Players can also use the auto-spin feature instead of continuously pressing the slot button.

There are also two varieties of online slots – the progressive jackpot and the fixed jackpot. In a progressive jackpot, the prize increases as the jackpot is played and not won. (it collects the wagered amount and adds it to the existing prize). For the fixed jackpot, the prize amount is predetermined. Ultimately, it’s your choice which slot game to select – and you literally have hundreds to choose from. But here’s a tip: go for the ones with a high RTP!

Live Dealer

Live Dealer games can be compared to online video games - it’s akin to being right there on the casino floor. Here, you're not playing the system but a real human, and if you miss being in an actual casino, then live dealer games are for you. The best part is that online casinos are built in such a way that players can interact with each other without actually seeing themselves. You can play live dealer games like baccarat, roulette, three-card poker, and more.

Table Games

Many players believe that the best odds can be found in table games. Just as the name suggests, they take place at a casino table. Of course, it's quite different when you're playing online, but it's practically the same as retail table games. Some casinos in West Virginia even offer free table games, so there’s no additional risk to you. With this, you can practice and get better at the games before you play with your real money. Some of the popular table games are baccarat, blackjack, and roulette.

Online Poker

Online poker rules are the same as physical poker. The only difference is that online poker takes less time and is less risky, as you can wager peanuts on it. There are a variety of poker games, so ensure that whichever game you choose, you understand the rules. Right now, online poker is not yet offered at WV casino platforms, but this is expected to change late this year.

Lottery

Players that wish to participate in the online lottery must be at least 18 years of age. Unlike table games, it's a hard task to find free lottery games. Also, WV runs state lotteries, so it may not always be possible for you to play online.

But some popular lottery games online casinos WV offers are scratchcards and Keno. To play lottery games, visit the website or app of your desired WV casino. Bingo is one of the oldest lottery games and has existed since 1530 (but interestingly enough, it wasn't called bingo then). The basic idea behind bingo is to cross out the numbers on your card as it's being called out. Bear in mind that bingo is not offered online in WV, and you can only play bingo at designated bingo halls in the state.

Sports Betting

Some of the leading bookmakers in the country have settled in WV, and West Virginians can enjoy betting on their favorite sports. From the NFL to tennis, WV bookmakers have them all.

There is also Daily Fantasy Sports offered in the state, and you can play with your own fantasy team at some of the major sports betting platforms.

West Virginia Mobile Gaming

Players can skip visiting a retail bookmaker to place their wagers, thanks to the internet. Instead, you can now wager from your devices. One of the perks of mobile gaming is that you can do things faster and at your convenience.

Since online gaming was legalized in West Virginia in 2019, casinos have adopted and integrated e-gaming with their services - and since so many gamers are now accessing casino platforms through their mobile phones and other gadgets, the overall user experience on mobile should be well worth it. To access the mobile app of your chosen platform, all you need is an account and an internet-connected device.

Bonuses West Virginia Casinos Offer

Bonuses have always been an integral part of gambling in the US - as a matter of fact, it’s the best way used by online casinos to attract players! Many casinos and bookmakers offer customers several kinds of bonuses to persuade them to wager. A bettor can reduce risk with bonuses while expecting higher potential returns. So, instead of wagering a high amount of money on a bet, you can use bonuses to boost your returns.

Whether you're a beginner or a pro gambler, you should take advantage of the bonus. One of the tricks highly profitable gamblers employ is using bonuses. But to prevent the exploitation of bonuses, many casinos and bookmakers may include some wagering conditions. For instance, you may need to wager a bonus five times or more to withdraw the profit.

Let's analyze some of the common bonuses you will come across on a casino WV online:

Welcome Bonus

The famous welcome bonus (also known as a sign-up bonus) is a one-time bonus awarded to new players. Once a player signs up on a casino platform, they will be eligible for a welcome bonus. As the name indicates, it's awarded in a bid to urge fresh customers to place their wagers.

Note that most welcome bonuses usually have strict wagering conditions and an eligibility period. If you're new to gambling, you can use this bonus to test the waters before wagering with your hard-earned cash. Note also that there may be several kinds of welcome bonuses, such as the deposit match bonus, the no deposit bonus, and returns on your losses, where the casino/bookmaker will match any funds you’ve lost.

Deposit Bonus

Ordinarily, you'll need to fund your betting account to wager. However, some bettors may be reluctant to fund their accounts. Therefore, casinos in West Virginia offer a deposit bonus, usually on the first deposit, to encourage players to make a deposit. Players may also be offered a deposit bonus at intervals depending on the bookmaker.

Deposit bonuses do have a cap to prevent gamblers from exploiting them. For example, there might be a $200 cap on your deposit. So, whether you fund your account with $200 or $1000, you will still receive the $200 cap in bonus.

Risk-free Bet Bonus

Who wouldn't want to try something out risk–free? As already mentioned, with risk-free bets, players can be eligible for a total refund on their bets within a specific period (usually a day). Bettors can also be eligible for a percentage reimbursement of their initial wager if the bet is lost. For instance, an online casino might offer refunds of up to $5 on lost bets.

Referral Bonus

WV casinos may have a referral program to bring in new customers. When you refer a player to the platform, you will be awarded a referral bonus (for instance, $100 per successful referral). But the casino may also attach an eligibility condition to the bonus. For example, your referral may be required to fund their account and also wager with the money.

No-deposit Bonus

As previously stated, players are not required to fund their accounts to qualify for this bonus. Usually, WV casinos target new and inactive players to encourage them to place wagers. A no-deposit bonus is a great opportunity to explore the betting site before making any financial commitment.

Odds Boost

This is common when it comes to sports betting. The higher the probability of an event happening, the lower the odds. Likewise, the lower the probability of the event occurring, the higher the odds.

An odd booster, therefore, increases the anticipated payment on your stake. For instance, a bookmaker offers a 1.2 odd of the Toronto Raptors defeating the Boston Celtics in an NBA game. To win $10, you must stake $50 (for a total payout of $60). The same $50 bet can yield $20 with an odd booster ($200 payout).

The Most Common Payment Methods at WV Online Casinos

In WA, bettors have a plethora of payment methods when it comes to deposits and withdrawals. Since you're wagering online, you wouldn't be confined to a particular payment method. However, most casinos will have a deposit and withdrawal limit, so you want to consider that before you decide to move forward. You also want to make sure that your chosen casino accepts your preferred payment method before you start wagering on them.

Some of the most common and popular payment methods are the following:

PayPal

Millions of people trust PayPal all around the world, and it is arguably the most common payment method of them all. The payment provider was founded and headquartered in the United States, which is another reason it's preferred in the country. PayPal makes it easy to fund and withdraw from your betting account. All you need is to sign up for an account on the website and link your bank card.

To fund your wagering account, you'll need to first fund your PayPal account before transferring it to your betting account. However, the process is quite fast, so don't fret. Neteller and Skrill are also other e-wallets that you can consider.

Play+ Prepaid Card

Play+ was particularly established to make iLottery payments easier. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation covers it, and WV e-betting platforms accept it. Once you sign up on Play+, you can fund it and link it to your iLottery account. Some casinos may also offer special prepaid cards that you can use on their platforms, and this is another aspect that separates Play+ card from the rest of the payment methods out there. The best aspect of Play+ is that there are very minimal fees associated with it.

Bank Transfers

Funding your account with a bank transfer is quite direct. You can send the fund directly from your bank balance to your gambling balance at low fees; no intermediary is needed.

Visa/Mastercard

Credit or debit card deposits and withdrawals are also popular in the US. To deposit money using your Visa/Mastercard, sign in to your online gambling platform and choose card payment. You'll need information like the card number, card name, CVV, and expiry date to complete your payment.

Deposits are usually instant, so that’s a bonus for credit or debit card payments. However, withdrawals may take a longer time to process due to verification. In addition, many online casinos will only allow withdrawals through the same deposit method. For instance, if you use Neteller to fund your account, you may only use it to withdraw your winnings.

Gift Card

Gift cards are pre-funded cards of a particular amount. They can be in dominations of $50, $100, $200, or more. For example, suppose your casino West Virginia supports gift card funding. In that case, you can purchase your desired amount and redeem the balance with the concealed code on the card.

Note that withdrawal speeds can also vary depending on your chosen method and the casino operator, but the process typically takes one to five days.

The Legality of Casino Gambling in West Virginia

In West Virginia, online casino gambling became legal as far back as March, 2019. So if you are equal to and over the age of 21 and are spending time in West Virginia (you don’t have to reside in the state to enjoy online casino gaming), then you have nothing to fear since online gambling is completely legal in the state.

In fact, the most renowned online casino gambling platforms have decided to set up shop in the Mountain State, and these include Caesars Palace Online Casino, BetRivers, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings. These platforms are all regulated and authorized by the West Virginia Lottery Commission. In addition, in the same year it was legalized, legislators in West Virginia also signed the West Virginia Interactive Wagering Act which actually introduced online casinos to state residents. Since the legalization of online gaming in WV, the number of online casinos has grown to ten, with each one having a land-based casino partner.

As we stated previously, the legal gambling age for online casino games and sports betting in WV is 21, although those who are 18 years old and above can participate in other activities, such as horse racing and the lottery.

The History of West Virginia Casinos

WV launched online casinos as part of the second push for the authorization of internet gambling. The pioneering push was attempted in 2018 for sports betting. But it wasn’t until early 2019 that Mountain State legislators began focusing on online poker and internet casinos after initially supporting WV sports betting. This led to the signing of The West Virginia Lottery, Interactive Wagering Act, which was endorsed by both chambers of the West Virginia State Legislature.

It was then up to Governor Jim Justice to determine the next step. He could either approve, reject, or allow it to pass without his approval. Governor Justice opted for option three, just as he had with the sports gambling law a year before. In West Virginia, online gambling became lawful in March 2019. However, things were a bit slow after this major development.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is the body responsible for regulating gambling in West Virginia. It oversaw online casinos and was entrusted with developing regulations to control the emerging sector. However, the West Virginia online sports gambling business was experiencing a crisis at the time (the BetLuck controversy involving the first bookmaker that launched in the state). Thus, the lottery committee was unable to set the laws immediately.

Additionally, it was important to avoid making another error, so the commission applied the brakes. The commission eventually laid down some rules for casino wagering, including prohibiting sports that involved underaged individuals. As a result, WV bettors wager most on horse and dog racing (as it's been existing for the longest time).

WV online casinos are required to pay a 15% tax according to the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (Article 22E of the West Virginia Legislature). Legalizing online casino gambling also meant that players could wager on poker, slots, Keno, video lottery, bingo, baccarat, blackjack, esports, and fantasy sports.

The abolishment of PAPSA (the Professional and Amateur Protection Act of 1992) by the Supreme Court also contributed to online gambling in West Virginia. PAPSA limited sports betting to a few states in the country, but now, everyone of legal age in West Virginia can wager in all available casinos but one, The Greenbrier Casino Club. Only the resort's guests and members of its private club are allowed to wager there.

The Outcome

The overall outcome of online casino gambling in the state of West Virginia cannot be denied: it has greatly contributed to the state’s coffers, and West Virginia residents and legislators couldn’t be happier. It’s fair to say that even if West Virginia has one of the smallest populations of players in the whole online casino space, it still makes a worthy adversary and can undoubtedly compete with other states. We have yet to see West Virginia’s players try their best with the recent signing of the MSIGA agreement which will pit WV’s finest with those from other online casino gaming states like NJ, NV, and MI, but from what we can see, West Virginia will do just fine - in fact, we predict that it will set the pace for the rest of the states to emulate.

FAQ

Why should I play at a legal WV casino vs an offshore casino?

There are several reasons you should only use a legal casino. First, your safety and privacy are guaranteed to some extent when you use a legal casino. Use an offshore bookmaker, and something goes wrong. The state may not be able to protect your consumer rights as the offshore bookmaker may not be bound by the WV lottery law. Secondly, you use illegal offshore bookies. In that case, you are opening yourself up to financial loss as the state's laws already deemed the offshore bookie illegal. Besides, WV bookmakers are more than sufficient to tend to your betting needs, so we see no reason to use offshore bookmakers. Remember that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Can I play online casino games on a tablet or mobile device?

Thanks to the internet and the legalization of online casinos in 2019, you can engage in any form of online wagering as long as you meet the required minimum legal age (21 years). In addition, bettors can use their tablets or mobile devices to access the web or app version of the casino or bookmaker, depending on their preference. Keep in mind, though, that if you want to bet in WV, you must be within state lines. Casinos have geolocation software that automatically detects where you're accessing their services.

Can I win real money at online casinos in WV?

Of course. Many people make extra cash from e-wagering. Bettors can wager on sports, blackjack, poker, baccarat, slots, and more. You're good to go if you're using a reputable casino or bookie and go about your wager in the required manner. Just be careful about going above your means, and remember the golden rule: only bet what you can afford to lose.

How many online casinos are in West Virginia?

There are currently ten online casinos in the state as of May, 2024.These online casinos are FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars Palace, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook and Casino, Fanatics Casino, Hollywood Casino, Golden Nugget Casino, and Betly Casino. The newest online casinos to join the WV roster are Fanatics Casino (formerly PointsBet) in November of 2023, Caesars Palace Online Casino in August of 2023, and Betly Casino, also in August of 2023.

Wia Van Cauwenberghe

Editor | Writer

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