Sports Betting in West Virginia 2025

Is Sports Betting Legal In West Virginia?

West Virginia was one of the first states to legalize sports betting after the federal ban was lifted in 2018. Within months of the Supreme Court’s ruling, West Virginia passed its own legislation and launched regulated sportsbooks by late 2018. Since then, the state has built out a strong, accessible betting market with both retail and mobile options. With multiple licensed apps and websites available, West Virginians enjoy one of the most straightforward and competitive sports betting environments in the U.S.

Top 5 West Virginia Sportsbooks

Here are our top five recommended sportsbooks available in West Virginia.

BetOnline

BetOnline has a great signup bonus. This is one of our key criteria when evaluating sportsbooks. In this case, you can make it even larger by depositing with Bitcoin, raising the bonus to a 100% match.

Bonus:

50% up to $250

Bet now

Bovada

Bovada is the best-known sportsbook in West Virginia and has a stellar reputation based on over a decade of solid service. If you want a trusted name in a secure environment, this is the one for you!

Bonus:

50% up to $250

Bet now

BetUS

With over 20 years in the sports betting industry, BetUS knows what they are doing. They have some of the fastest and easiest payouts of any online sportsbook.

Bonus:

125% Sports Bonus - up to $2,000

Bet now

MyBookie

MyBookie has great sports betting markets. Whether you want to bet ont he big sports leagues or smaller niche leagues, you will definitely find what you want here!

Bonus:

50% up to $1,000

Bet now

Xbet

XBet has a great interface for mobile users. Here, you do not even have to download the app. You can just access their betting site using your mobile device and it will automatically calibrate to your phone’s dimensions.

Bonus:

50% up to $200

Bet now

Legal Sportsbooks in West Virginia

Sports betting has been legal in West Virginia since 2018, and the state has embraced a fully competitive model. Multiple licensed sportsbooks operate both online and through retail casinos, and residents can place bets from anywhere within state lines using mobile apps or websites. There are no geolocation restrictions requiring physical presence at retail locations, making the experience seamless and convenient. With strong regulatory oversight and a wide range of betting options, West Virginia’s legal sportsbooks offer a robust and user-friendly platform for online wagering.

You can also check out the legal sports betting situation across the United States.

West Virginia Quick Facts

Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about sports betting in West Virginia. Legal since 2018, the state operates a competitive, multi-operator market regulated by the West Virginia Lottery. Mobile betting is fully legal and accessible statewide — no need to visit a retail location to place a wager. With both online and in-person options available, West Virginia offers one of the most flexible and bettor-friendly legal markets in the U.S.

West Virginia’s Betting Landscape – Competitive and Convenient

Unlike states that limit betting through a single operator or geofenced locations, West Virginia’s approach promotes competition and accessibility. Bettors can sign up, deposit, and place wagers entirely online — no in-person visit required. Multiple private operators are licensed and regulated by the state, offering mobile apps that compete on odds, bonuses, and user experience.

This open model creates a dynamic betting environment where players benefit from better promotions, more betting options, and the ability to compare odds across platforms. Whether you’re betting on the NFL, March Madness, or international soccer, West Virginia’s legal options offer a strong foundation.

Why Some West Virginia Bettors Still Explore Offshore Sportsbooks

Even with a robust legal market, some West Virginians still explore offshore sportsbooks. These platforms can provide access to niche markets, crypto payment options, or fewer restrictions overall. While they operate outside U.S. jurisdiction, offshore sportsbooks appeal to users looking for more flexibility, anonymity, or specific features not available with state-licensed operators.

What Offshore Sportsbooks Offer That Legal WV Sites May Not

Here’s what continues to attract some bettors to offshore platforms:

• Crypto Payments – Bet and withdraw using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies
• Entertainment & Political Betting – Often available, unlike with licensed U.S. operators
• Higher Betting Limits – Offshore sites may cater to high rollers with fewer cap restrictions
• Faster Payouts – Crypto and e-wallet withdrawals can be quicker than traditional banking
• Less Friction – No geolocation or state ID verification hurdles
• International Market Access – Bet on events that may be blocked or limited in domestic apps

Who Can Bet in West Virginia?

• Minimum Age: 21 years old
• Location Requirement: You must be physically inside West Virginia to bet online
• Residency Requirement: Not required — visitors can legally bet in-state
• Verification: Geolocation and identity verification are mandatory on legal platforms
• Prohibited Parties: League insiders, officials, and those on exclusion/self-exclusion lists

Bottom Line: West Virginia’s Legal Betting Market Delivers

West Virginia stands out for its early adoption of sports betting and its competitive, mobile-friendly approach. Bettors enjoy the freedom to use a variety of licensed apps and place wagers from anywhere in the state. While offshore sportsbooks offer certain unique advantages, the legal market in West Virginia is one of the most accessible and well-rounded in the country — offering convenience, safety, and choice.

West Virginia Sports Betting – Recent Updates

• February 6, 2024 — West Virginia sportsbooks experience a significant 65% year-over-year increase in revenue for January, announcing a total of $6 million in revenue for the month.
• January 25, 2024 — PrizePicks introduces a new peer-to-peer game, PrizePicks Arena, in West Virginia and three other U.S. states.
• November 16, 2023 — Fanatics Sportsbook is officially launched in West Virginia, initiating the migration of customers from PointsBet.
• November 14, 2023 — ESPN BET goes live with online and mobile sports betting, launching in West Virginia and 16 other states.
• November 2, 2023 — ESPN BET announces plans to launch on November 14, 2023, with online sports betting becoming available in 17 U.S. states, including West Virginia.

Four Reasons to Bet on These West Virginia Online Betting Sites

Here are the most important criteria that we consider when we make our final recommendations for WV sportsbooks.

Casinos in West Virginia

There are five retail casinos in West Virginia. And each of these five WV casinos also houses a sportsbook. Of course, you can use online casinos throughout the state without the need to travel to one of only five locations.

Here are the five casinos available in WV:

• The Casino Club at The Greenbrier
• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
• Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
• Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack

West Virginia Sports Betting Timeline

Here is a summary of sports betting in news in West Virginia since 2017.

2023

West Virginia sees a boost in sports betting, with the November handle reaching $56.4 million, up 18% from October. Fanatics Sportsbook replaces PointsBet in November, and ESPN Bet also launches, replacing Barstool Sportsbook in 17 states. In September, the sports betting handle rises to $44.4 million, showing an 85.7% increase from August but a 10.8% decrease year-over-year.

2022

West Virginia legislators persist in efforts to broaden the state’s sports betting options. Delegate Moore Capito introduces HB 4826 to the House Judiciary Committee in February, proposing the inclusion of esports betting. The bill swiftly progresses through both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature and becomes law without requiring Gov. Jim Justice’s signature in less than a month.

2021

A bill was introduced in the legislature that would have expanded the sports betting industry by decoupling casinos from sportsbooks. It would allow sportsbooks to be in more places throughout the state. However, it was not approved.

2020

The global coronavirus pandemic put a halt on sports and therefore on sports betting.

2019

Sportsbooks licensed by WV began this year strong, but they were quickly disappointed. On March 7, BetLucky unexpectedly went offline. They never came back online.

FanDuel and DraftKings started in August of 2019, joining the offshore sportsbooks that have been operating for years in the state.

2018

The Supreme Court strikes down an important part of PASPA, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, thus allowing states to license sportsbooks without violating federal law.

Shawn Fluharty introduced his House bill again, and it was accompanied by a similar Senate bill.  However, the bill that would eventually become law was S 415 and was introduced by the WV State Lottery Commission.

The tax in this bill was set at 10%. The bill passed through the legislative chambers in February and Governor Jim Justice allowed the bill to become law without signing it in March.

The year ended with a bang! December 27th saw the opening of the first online sportsbooks licensed in West Virginia.

2017

Even before it would have been legal, Fluharty introduced House bill H 2751. It would have amended the state’s constitution to allow and regulate sports betting at casinos in West Virginia. It would have taxed sports betting handle at 2%.

The bill also includes language defying the federal government’s ban on sports betting, saying that they had no right to regulate the states in this way. It turns out the Supreme Court would agree.

List of West Virginia Resources

The following West Virginia sports betting resources include legal and responsible gaming information:

• West Virginia Lottery Commission: Regulating body in WV
• 1-800-GAMBLER: Support for problem gamblers
• West Virginia sports betting law: Senate Bill 415
• West Virginia sports betting rules: Full breakdown of WV betting regulations

Trent Reinsmith

Trent is a professional sports journalist specializing in UFC, MMA, and esports coverage. His work has been featured in prestigious publications such as USA Today Sports, Vice, Bloody Elbow, Fight! Magazine, UFC 360, and Narratively. Trent's connection to MMA dates back to the early days when he and his friends pooled their resources to purchase the pay-per-...

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