Sports Betting Sites Regulation in West Virginia at a Glance
✅ Sports betting sites have been legal since 2018.
✅ WV was the fifth state to legalize online sports betting.
✅ There are nine licensed betting sites in the state.
✅ Sports bettors must be 21 years or older and should live within West Virginia state lines.
✅ West Virginia is the only US state with a licensed private sportsbook, The Greenbrier.
Top 3 West Virginia Betting Sites for April 2023
We have compared all the licensed West Virginia betting sites to find the best options for WV clients. Below is a list of the top three West Virginia betting sites in April 2023:
- Live streaming available on selected sports
- Excellent sign-up bonuses
- Easy deposit and withdrawal process
- Square Games
- Considerable daily House Specials odds boosts, and insurance promos
- Frequently lowered juice
- Placing a bet is straightforward
- The interface on the website and app is intuitive and easy to use
- It is easy to find the odds for the particular bet you want to make
21+ only, must be present in the state of West Virginia. T&C’s apply. If you or someone you know has or may have gambling problems, call the West Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER
Best West Virginia Betting Apps
Mobile apps offer bettors several benefits, including convenience, vast betting markets, and competitive odds at your fingertips. Below are our top three picks for the best West Virginia betting apps you should try.
| Rank | Betting site | Why play here | Go to site |
| #1 | DraftKings | Easy-to-use app functionality. | Visit |
| #2 | BetRivers | Numerous wagering and sports betting categories. | Visit |
| #3 | BetMGM | Best deposit bonus for WV clients. | Visit |
Best West Virginia Betting Sites for Beginners
With many online sportsbooks to choose from, new bettors often find it hard to pick the right one for their betting needs. Here are our three best betting sites in West Virginia for first-time gamblers.
| Rank | Betting site | Why play here | Go to site |
| #1 | DraftKings | Covers a wide variety of sports. | Visit |
| #2 | BetRivers | Bet insurance allows risk-free wagering. | Visit |
| #3 | Caesars Sportsbook | The best welcome bonus for new customers. | Visit |
New Betting Sites in West Virginia
Given the large betting population of residents in West Virginia, more and more bookies are set to launch within the state. Here are the newest additions to the list of licensed online bookmakers in West Virginia.
| Rank | Betting site | Date of launch | Go to site |
| #1 | BetRivers | June 2022 | Visit |
| #2 | Barstool Sportsbook (Soon to be ESPN Sportsbook) | November 2021 | Visit (Coming Soon) |
| #3 | Caesars Sportsbook | August 2021 | Visit |
All Betting Sites Available in West Virginia
- DraftKings
- Caesars Sportsbook
- FanDuel
- BetRivers
- BetMGM
- Barstool Sportsbook (Soon to be ESPN Sportsbook)
- PointsBet
- William Hill
- Betly
Best West Virginia Betting Sites Bonuses and Promotions
West Virginia betting sites provide a wide range of enticing bonuses and promotions to new and regular customers. However, most are accompanied by detailed wagering requirements. Always read the terms and conditions before using a bonus or promotion to ensure your actions meet the payout requirements.
21+ only, must be present in the state of West Virginia. T&C’s apply. If you or someone you know has or may have gambling problems, call the West Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER
Types of Bonuses and Promotions Available in West Virginia
Although the terms and conditions vary from one sportsbook to the next, all West Virginia betting sites offer these common bonuses and promotions.
- Match deposit or reload bonus: The bookie matches your deposit amount in bonus funds. The operator usually sets a max cap.
- Free bet: Ideal for new bettors to test out a sportsbook before they wager real money. Although you cannot withdraw a free bet, you can withdraw any winnings earned from free bets.
- Risk-free bet: If your first wager registers as a loss, the bookie will refund your lost bet by offering a risk-free bet. This offer is also known as bonus bets or bonus credits.
- Money-back offers: Often available to regular bettors, this bonus constitutes a refund for your net losses during a specific period or for bets on a particular league or sport.
- Match bet: The bookie doubles your initial bet but only credits half the bet amount from your account if the bet wins.
- Enhanced odds offers: Also known as boosted odds, the operator maximizes your payout by increasing the odds on a specific match or league.
- Loyalty program: Bookies keep their regular players interested by offering exclusive rewards through VIP/loyalty programs.
Types of Bets Available in West Virginia
Generally, West Virginia customers can bet on any market besides college prop bets. Below are some common bet types available on West Virginia betting sites:
- Moneyline: Bets on which team will win a specific game.
- Point spread: A bookie sets the victory margin in a specific game, and the bettors bet whether the margin is too high or too low.
- Over/Under totals: Customers wager on whether the bookie’s total combined game score is under or over the actual game’s result.
- Props: Bettors place wagers on other aspects of the game other than the final results. Often, prop bets relate to player or game performance.
- Futures: Customers place wagers on future games or leagues.
- Parlay: Bettors can place different wagers on the same game and include them in the same bet slip to maximize potential returns.
- Teasers: Often available in parlay format, teasers allow bettors to adjust a point spread in exchange for reduced betting odds.
- In-game: Wagers made as the game is ongoing in real-time. In-game bets may include prop bets, moneyline, point spread, etc.
- Round-Robin: Involves placing bets on three distinct two-team parlay bets. The bettor wins even if only one of the parlays wins.
Popular Sports and Leagues to Bet on in West Virginia
While West Virginia has no local sports teams, the best West Virginia betting sites offer many sports and leagues to bet on. Here are some of the most popular sports and leagues to bet on in West Virginia.:
- MLB: Baseball fans in West Virginia love betting on pro teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburg Pirates, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, and the Cleveland Guardians.
- NBA: WV customers’ most popular basketball teams include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Washington Wizards.
- NFL: Football fans in WV enjoy the competitive odds available on top West Virginia betting sites. Some popular NFL teams among WV bettors include the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Cleveland Browns.
- NHL: Hockey is also popular among West Virginia customers, with many betting on the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburg Penguins, and the Washington Capitals.
Features Available on a West Virginia Betting Site
- Live betting and streaming features: WV customers can enjoy placing live bets and watching the action as it unfolds on the best betting sites in West Virginia.
- Attractive bonuses: West Virginia betting sites offer some of the most generous bonuses for new and regular sports bettors, from welcome bonuses to free bets to bonus bets, loyalty programs, odd boosts, and cash-back offers.
- Safe betting environments: West Virginia features five retail sportsbooks and nine online bookmakers that are fully licensed to provide a safe and secure gambling environment.
- Competitive odds: WV bettors enjoy some of the best odds on the online betting market, enabling them to maximize their potential payouts.
- Excellent mobile apps: Although they have different features, all nine online sportsbooks have responsive and easy-to-use mobile apps compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices.
- Responsible gambling resources: West Virginia betting sites offer a wide range of responsible gaming resources for problem gamers and their families.
How to Create an Account on a West Virginia Betting Site
Creating an account on a West Virginia betting site is simple. All you need to do is follow some simple steps, and you can start wagering immediately. Below are the steps to follow to register a WV betting account:
- Go to your preferred WV official betting site. Click any of the links mentioned above to enjoy a generous welcome bonus.
- Fill out the registration form by providing accurate personal data, including your full name, address, email, phone contact, and date of birth.
- Enter the relevant promo code to claim your welcome bonus
- Click the ‘submit’ button at the bottom of the page to complete the registration process.
Some sportsbooks may require you to verify your identity and age by providing the last digits of your SSN or attaching a copy of your passport, government-issued ID, recent utility bill, or driver’s license.
How to Deposit on a West Virginia Betting Site
Once you create an account on a West Virginia betting site, the next step is to fund it. Luckily, West Virginia betting sites facilitate seamless deposit and withdrawal processes. Here are the steps to follow to fund your WV betting account:
- Login to your betting account.
- Go to the Banking page.
- Select your preferred deposit option and currency.
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit into your account.
- Click the ‘Submit’ button, and the funds will be instantly credited to your account.
Most Popular Deposit Methods on West Virginia Betting Sites
The best betting sites in West Virginia offer many reliable deposit and withdrawal methods. Some popular options include:
- Bank cards: All West Virginia bookmakers accept debit/credit cards when making deposits. Ensuring that your bank does not charge you higher transaction costs when depositing into your betting account is advisable.
- E-wallets: The fastest and most trusted deposit option on WV sportsbooks. Common e-wallets include PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and many more.
- Prepaid cards: Some West Virginia bookmakers offer their own cards for easier and faster deposits and withdrawals. Such cards are usually funded via a checking account or a credit card.
- PayNearMe: Available in cash-only payments, this deposit option requires bettors to pay cash at a Family Dollar, West Virginia 7-Eleven, or CVS Pharmacy. A barcode scan will instantly deposit the money into your account upon payment.
- Bank transfers: Although this deposit method takes the longest to complete, it is a player-favorite due to the low transaction costs and widespread acceptance by bookies.
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in West Virginia
West Virginia Sports Betting History
Betting in West Virginia can be traced back to January 1986 and the launch of the state lottery. The following year, the State government established video lotteries at Mountaineer Park. While WV bettors engaged in legal online casino gambling as early as 2007, sports betting in WV began in 2016 when Attorney General Patrick Morrisey legalized betting on daily fantasy sports.
However, it wasn’t until March 2018 that state legislators legalized sports betting. This was just before the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act ruling in May 2018. In August of the same year, Hollywood Casino accepted the first legal sports wager.
Betlucky.com was the first licensed online bookmaker to operate in West Virginia. However, it shut down three months later due to disputes between its betting partner, Mionmi Gaming, and Racino owner, Delaware North. This dispute also led to the closure of two other retail sportsbooks.
In August 2019, DraftKings and FanDuel became licensed operators in West Virginia, filling the gap left by Betlucky.com. Caesar’s and PointsBet joined the WV online betting scene in 2021, followed by BetRivers in 2022.
Current Situation in West Virginia for Sports Betting
In February 2023, the West Virginia betting market was worth $39.7 million, a significant drop from $44.7 million in January. Nonetheless, DraftKings still launched its horse racing app in anticipation of the Kentucky Derby on May 6.
The Next Step for Sports Betting Regulation in West Virginia
The West Virginia betting laws and regulations allow up to 15 online sportsbooks to operate in West Virginia, provided they have valid licenses. As a result, we look forward to more reputable bookies gaining West Virginia licensure in the coming months.
Responsible Gambling in West Virginia
Unfortunately, some people indulge in betting and take it too far. However, West Virginia has implemented several responsible gaming measures to ensure that bettors assert control when placing wagers.
From limiting your deposit amounts, the duration of your gaming sessions, and the wager amount per bet, it is clear that West Virginia takes problem gambling seriously.
In addition, the West Virginia Lottery Commission provides numerous resources to assist problem gamers and their families. These include
- Gamtalk
- Gam-Anon
- Gambler’s Anonymous
- 1-800-GAMBLER
West Virginia Sports Betting Tax Rate
The West Virginia Lottery Racetrack and Table Games Act states that licensed operators are deducted a 35% tax rate on their gross receipts. Bettor winnings from online casinos and sportsbooks are taxed as personal income.
