West Virginia was one of the first states to legalize and license sports gambling in the post-PASPA era. The state authorized its racino locations to begin hosting brick-and-mortar betting and mobile wagers via passed legislation. WV brick and sports betting officially launched on September 1, 2018.

Even with state-regulated online sports betting platforms in place, residents can also legally access licensed offshore online WV sportsbooks for their online betting needs. This page focuses on the legality of WV sports gambling and has information on both domestic and offshore online sports gambling markets.

Is Online Sports Wagering Legal In WV?

Yes, State-licensed online sports gambling is permitted through WV gambling laws. Not long after the racinos and casinos started offering sports betting did online sportsbooks launch, now residents can choose between offshore and domestic online sports betting services.

Top-Rated Offshore Sportsbooks In West Virginia

The list below comprises our team’s most recommended licensed offshore online sportsbooks for WV bettors. Each of these sportsbooks carries a legitimate license and is regulated by a respected gaming commission located outside of the US. They have all been providing legally sanctioned betting services to WV bettors for years.

Site Name	Bonus	Rating	Type	USA	Visit Site
	$250		Sportsbook		Visit Site Full Review
	$1,000		Sportsbook		Visit Site Full Review
	$500		Sportsbook		Visit Site
	$2,500		Sportsbook		Visit Site Full Review

Other West Virginia Gambling Pages

When Did West Virginia Legalize Sports Betting?

West Virginia passed a bill back in March 2018 which legalized the licensing and regulation of brick and mortar and mobile sports betting in the state. However, the state had to wait for PASPA, a domestic sports gambling ban, to be repealed. Regardless, the state’s confidence in PASPA's removal showed their strong desire to implement legal wagering options.

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town accepted the first-ever legal WV wagers during a soft launch on August 30. The official launch happened on September 1. Mobile WV sportsbooks were launched soon after their domestic counterparts.

Where Can I Place Legal Wagers In West Virginia?

Aside from the use of licensed offshore online sportsbooks, West Virginia residents can walk into the following brick and mortar locations to place legal wagers on their favorite sports teams and events:

• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
• Mardi Gras Casino and Resort Cross Lanes
• Wheeling Island Hotel
• The Casino Club at The Greenbrier

How Old Do I Have To Be To Legally Bet On Sports In WV?

The legal sports gambling age in West Virginia is 21. Underage betting carries hefty fines and possible imprisonment by WV law enforcement. Licensed offshore online services such as WV online casinos, WV online bingo, and WV online poker rooms also require account holders to be of legal gambling age based on state laws and their own brand's minimum gambling age.

West Virginia Avoids Integrity Fees

Upon the consensus of PASPA coming to an end, representatives from the MLB and NBA began traveling to US states to pitch certain conditions they wanted with regulated betting schemes. These conditions included integrity fees (basically royalty fees paid out to the leagues on betting revenue) and data control rights.

West Virginia set an early precedent by refusing to play ball with the sports leagues, much to their chagrin. When the bill hit the governor’s desk, it did not include provisions for the leagues. Governor Jim Justice failed to sign the bill without these provisions but it still successfully passed after making it through the waiting period.

After the fact, Governor Justice urged lawmakers to reconsider their position on integrity fees. The Governor also has interests in the Greenbrier, a well-known golfing location, so he is undoubtedly biased towards a deal that would see him benefit from legal betting with integrity fees.

Leagues Continue To Press WV

The sports leagues are not backing down from West Virginia. The Director of the West Virginia Lottery Commission that ushered in legal wagering departed unexpectedly - just shortly after the soft launch of WV betting. The Director was strongly was against integrity fees. However, the current acting Director, Doug Buffington, recently gave testimony to lawmakers, that urged them to revisit the issue of integrity fees.

It is clear that the leagues’ influence runs deep in the WV political circle. West Virginia was fortunate enough that their bill passed without these conditions, but they will have to continue fighting to preserve their version of regulated sports wagering as more pressure from the leagues come.

FAQs

How Do Offshore Sportsbook Bonuses Work?

Licensed offshore online sportsbook bonuses give bettors extra money to place on props, point spreads, futures, etc. The most common type is a match bonus commonly presented as a Welcome Bonus that matches a player's deposits up to a specific amount (i.e. 25% match up to $500).

WV players can also find bonuses for live and mobile betting, as well as, first-time bettor risk-free bets. Each bonus comes with special terms and conditions which must be met before the withdrawal.

Is Live Betting Available At Online Sportsbooks Accepting WV Residents?

Yes.  The licensed offshore sportsbooks featured on this page all offer live betting options from both their desktop and mobile applications and have carefully designed their sportsbook to facilitate responsive technology and render their full range of betting services across virtually all platforms, including live betting.

Is Mobile Sports Betting Legal In West Virginia?

Absolutely.  Along with the existing mobile sports betting applications provided through reputable offshore sportsbooks, the state has also launched a mobile sports gambling initiative.  While it may take some time for the state-based options to effectively compete with their long-standing and more experienced offshore counterparts, we feel that having the option to choose between offshore or state regulated mobile betting is the best of both worlds.