West Virginia legalized sports betting in 2018, making it one of the first states to allow regulated sports wagering after the repeal of PASPA. There are now multiple legal options for betting on sports in West Virginia, both online and in-person.
Is sports betting legal in West Virginia?
Yes, sports betting is legal in West Virginia. In March 2018, the West Virginia legislature passed a bill to allow sports wagering at the state’s five casinos and through online sportsbooks. After the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in May 2018, West Virginia moved quickly to implement sports betting regulations. The first legal sports bets were placed in West Virginia in August 2018.
Where can I bet on sports in West Virginia?
There are a few different options for legal sports betting in West Virginia:
Retail sportsbooks
West Virginia’s casinos are authorized to offer Vegas-style sports betting. There are sportsbooks open at:
– Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
– Mountaineer Casino in New Cumberland
– The Casino Club at The Greenbrier
– Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro
– Wheeling Island Hotel Casino in Wheeling
These retail sportsbooks accept wagers on all major professional and college sports. You have to place bets in person at the sportsbook counter or kiosks at the casino.
Online sportsbooks
West Virginia also allows online and mobile sports betting. There are currently six WV-approved online sportsbooks:
– DraftKings
– FanDuel
– BetMGM
– William Hill
– PointsBet
– BetRivers
With these apps and sites, you can place bets from anywhere in West Virginia using a computer, smartphone or tablet. Online registration only takes a few minutes.
Lottery Sports Wagering
The West Virginia Lottery Commission operates its own sports betting app called WV Sportsbooks. This allows you to bet on sports from your phone or tablet anywhere in the state.
So in summary, you have a choice of casinos, online sites or the lottery app to legally and safely bet on sports in West Virginia.
What sports can I bet on in West Virginia?
West Virginia’s sports betting laws allow wagering on a wide variety of professional, college and international sporting events. Some of the major sports offered at WV sportsbooks include:
- NFL football
- NBA basketball
- MLB baseball
- NHL hockey
- College football and basketball
- Golf
- Tennis
- Soccer
- Boxing and MMA
- Motorsports
You can also often bet on more niche sports like rugby, cricket, darts, snooker, cycling and Olympic events.
The main prohibition is on high school sports – West Virginia does not allow betting on prep sports events or players under 18. But otherwise you can find odds on all the major pro leagues and college contests.
What types of wagers can I place?
West Virginia sportsbooks allow all the traditional bet types including:
Moneyline
This is a straight bet on which team will win the game. The odds are adjusted based on each side’s probability of winning.
Point Spread
The point spread sets a margin of victory that the favored team must win by. This creates action on both sides.
Totals / Over-Under
You bet on whether the combined points scored by both teams will go over or under a set number.
Futures / Outrights
You can bet on future outcomes like which team will win the championship or division rather than one specific game.
Props
Props are wagers on outcomes other than the final score, such as player performance. There are also exotics like first score type.
Parlays
Parlay bets combine multiple wagers together, so all bets must hit for the parlay to win. The odds increase with more legs added.
Teasers
Teaser bets let you adjust the point spread in your favor on multiple games in exchange for lower odds.
So West Virginia provides plenty of ways to get action on individual games or events through to season-long futures.
Are there any limits on sports bets in West Virginia?
West Virginia does impose some limits on the amount you can wager and win when betting sports:
- The maximum bet accepted at retail sportsbooks is $2,000.
- The maximum bet online is between $500 and $5,000 depending on the operator.
- The max payout at retail books and online is capped at $25,000 per bet slip.
These limits help operators manage risk and prevent exploits by sharp bettors. Limits are generally higher online compared to in-person.
Sportsbooks also have the right to refuse or limit any bet at their discretion. Your account may be restricted if you consistently bet into limits.
What mobile betting apps are available in West Virginia?
All the licensed WV sportsbooks offer iOS and Android apps for betting. Downloading the app is the best way to access all features and place bets directly from your phone. Here are the mobile betting options:
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings has a slick, easy-to-use mobile app with competitive odds and lots of ongoing promotions. You can live bet on games and redeem free bets.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel built its reputation on daily fantasy sports. The sportsbook offers new-user bonuses along with odds boosts.
BetMGM
An offshoot of MGM Resorts, BetMGM ties in with the M life Rewards program. The app has a clean interface and solid betting options.
William Hill
This seasoned UK bookmaker offers a full-service app. William Hill is known for generous deposit matches and profit boosts.
PointsBet
PointsBet has a unique PointsBetting model along with standard fixed odds. The app also provides live streaming of certain events.
BetRivers
BetRivers launched its user-friendly sportsbook app in 2020. You can track and automate bets along with unlocking rewards.
So with all the top sportsbook operators active in WV, you have your pick of mobile betting apps. It’s easy to get started and find the best odds.
Is it safe to bet online in West Virginia?
Yes, it is completely safe to bet online at licensed WV sportsbooks. All the sports betting sites and apps use advanced encryption to protect your personal and financial data.
They also must go through rigorous vetting and meet strict standards to get licensed in West Virginia. You can bet with confidence knowing you are playing at a legal, regulated operator.
Here are some tips for secure betting online:
- Only register at sportsbooks licensed in WV.
- Look for the green padlock icon in the address bar.
- Use unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when logging in or placing wagers.
- Monitor your account and bet history for any suspicious activity.
- Contact support if you have any issues.
As long as you take some basic precautions, mobile betting apps provide a safe way to wager from anywhere in WV.
What age do I need to be to bet sports online in West Virginia?
You must be at least 21 years old to legally bet on sports online or at retail sportsbooks in West Virginia. This is the minimum age set by state gaming regulations.
All online sports betting sites will verify your age and identity during signup. You typically need to provide:
- Full legal name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Residential address in West Virginia
This ensures all players are of legal gambling age. Sportsbooks could face penalties or lose their license if they allow underage betting.
Some physical casinos allow 18+ guests, but you still cannot place sports wagers until you turn 21. There are no exceptions to the age restriction.
Do I have to live in West Virginia to bet online?
Yes, you must be physically located within West Virginia state lines to place mobile sports bets. The apps use geolocation technology to confirm your location each time you log in.
If you stray outside WV, you will get an error message and be unable to access the sportsbook. This restriction is due to the state’s gaming regulations.
You can be anywhere in WV when betting online – it does not have to match your registered address. But you cannot wager while visiting other states where sports betting may not yet be legal.
Some retail casinos near state borders will accept out-of-state patrons. But you still need to register with your WV address to bet online.
Can I claim sports betting bonuses in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia sportsbooks compete heavily with sign-up bonuses and promotions to attract new users. Here are some common bonuses you can claim:
Deposit Match
Many sites offer a 100% or risk-free bet match up to $500 or $1,000 on your first deposit. This doubles the bankroll to bet with.
No-Deposit Free Bets
Some sportsbooks give new players a small free bet of around $10 without requiring a deposit. This allows you to test the site.
Odds Boosts
Look for enhanced odds on certain bets for big events. This increases the potential payout if your bet wins.
Profit Boosts
Profit boosts give you a percentage increase on your winnings from a successful wager. A 25% profit boost on a $100 bet that wins returns $125.
Referral Bonuses
You can often claim free bets for referring friends to join the sportsbook. The more friends who sign up, the more free bets you earn.
Just make sure to read the fine print for rollover requirements before claiming bonuses. But overall, new West Virginia bettors have access to some of the best sportsbook promotions and perks in the country.
Are there any taxes on sports betting winnings in West Virginia?
West Virginia does not tax winnings from legal sports betting. This means you keep 100% of your payout if you win.
Sportsbooks do have to pay a 10% tax on sports wagering revenue to the state. But this tax is not passed onto players.
The state does not consider sports betting income taxable. So you do not have to worry about reporting winnings or paying income tax.
This gives West Virginia a significant advantage over states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania that do tax sports betting wins. Assuming you live in WV primarily, you get to keep all the cash from your wagers.
Can I withdraw sports betting winnings in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia sportsbooks offer a few options to withdraw your cash winnings:
Online banking transfer
You can transfer payouts directly back to your linked bank account. Transfers are usually processed within 1-3 business days.
Cash at casino cage
For winnings from retail sportsbook wagers, you can collect your cash at the casino cage.
Check by mail
Sportsbooks can mail a paper check to your address. This takes 3-5 business days to receive your winnings.
Play+ Prepaid Card
Linked to your sports account, the Play+ card allows ATM and POS withdrawals.
So you should have no issues cashing out your profits. Just select your preferred payout method.
Keep in mind that all regulated sportsbooks will report payouts over $10,000 to the IRS for tax and compliance purposes. But West Virginia itself does not tax gambling winnings.
Are daily fantasy sports legal in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia formally legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests along with sports betting in 2018. Top DFS operators like DraftKings and FanDuel are licensed to offer contests across all major sports in WV.
You can play daily and weekly DFS contests for real money prizes. These contests let you draft teams of players to compete based on their statistical performance.
DFS is considered a game of skill, whereas sports betting outcomes rely more on chance. But both are regulated forms of legal online gambling for West Virginia residents age 18 and up.
Conclusion
West Virginia has fully embraced legal sports wagering, with multiple mobile and retail betting options now available. WV sportsbooks offer competitive odds and promotions across pro, college and international events.
Online betting can be done safely through licensed apps. You need to be physically located in West Virginia, but can bet from anywhere in the state. Winnings are not taxed, letting you keep 100% of payouts.
So for residents and visitors alike, West Virginia provides an exciting sports betting market with plenty of ways to get action on your favorite teams and sports.
