Gambling in West Virginia
Casinos were legalized in the state of West Virginia back in 1994 and since they have housed five casinos which include two operating dog racetracks and two horse racetracks. West Virginia primarily has what is called “racinos”. So racinos are basically video lottery games at pari-mutuel horse or dog racing facilities. The tables available at these casinos are owned by the state.
Is Real Money Gambling Legal in West Virginia?
Fortunately, it is! There are quite a few land-based casinos offering domestic gaming options. Nevertheless, it is important to note that, players below the age of 21 years are not permitted to enter these casinos:
- Hollywood Casino at Charles town races (Thoroughbred Racino)
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort (Greyhound and Thoroughbred Racino)
- Mardi Gras Casino & Resort (Greyhound Racino)
- The Casino Club at the Greenbrier
- Wheeling Island Hotel- Casino Racetrack (Greyhound racetrack)
What do the Brick-and-Mortar Casinos have to Offer other than Races?
A majority of the casinos mentioned above offer various casino games such as table games like:
| Blackjack | Baccarat |
| Spanish 21 | Slot machines |
| Video poker | Craps |
| pokers | Three card poker |
| Mini-Baccarat | Roulette |
Is Online Gambling Legal in the State of West Virginia?
Brace yourself as West Virginia has finally legalized online betting including online poker. Thanks to the inaction of Jim Justice, the Governor of the state. The bill, known as the Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (or HB 29340) was passed by the Senate and the governor neither signed it nor vetoed it. According to West Virginia Law, if the governor takes no action within 15 days of the legislative piece hitting his desk, the bill becomes the law and that is what exactly happened in this case. That being said, West Virginia has become the fifth state along with Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada to offer web-based casinos to its public. In short, the bill rules it legal for land-based casino games to be enjoyed on electronic devices like phones, desktops, and tablets.
What Does ‘Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act’ Say?
The bill points out that it will allow for five online gaming licenses in the state. Only brick-and-mortar casinos will receive the same for $250,000 for a five-year license. They can refresh the license for $100,000 after every five years. As per the bill, online gambling income will be taxed at 15%.
When will West Virginia Launch Online Gambling?
Even though the legislation points out that the West Virginia Lottery has the time till June 2020 to shape its initial laws and regulations of iGaming, it might be in the late 2020s that online casinos become functional in the full swing. Although nobody can say for sure as to when it will be available in full swing.
Is there any Age Restriction Imposed on the Players?
Well, like everywhere else, players have to be twenty-one of age to play at domestically regulated WV internet casinos. Nonetheless, players who are 18 can gamble at lawfully certified and regulated web-based betting platforms located outside the United States.
What are some of the Legal Web Based Gambling Platforms that Allow Players from West Virginia?
West Virginian players can gamble at some of the most legally authorized prominent U.S. online casinos mentioned below:
- Bovada with a smashing bonus of 100% up to $3,000
- Ignition Casino with a bonus of 100% up to $1000
- Café Casino with a bonus of 500% up to $5000
- Casino Max offers a bonus of 300% up to $9,000
- Cherry Jackpot bonus of 200% up to $20,000
- Roaring 21 with a bonus of 200% up to $10,000
- Slots.lv Online Casino with a bonus of 200% up to $1000
The casinos boast of a wide game selection, alluring bonus offers top-notch security profile and high-quality performance.
The Fate of Sports Betting in West Virginia
Of late, West Virginia also made domestic betting lawful. This is a boost for the state with respect to it added tax revenue in-flow and also brought local sports teams like Marshall Thundering, Wheeling Nailers, West Virginia Rough Riders and West Virginia Mountaineers to the limelight. All the five casinos native to this U.S. state boast of sports wagering partnerships:
- The Greenbrier: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Mountaineer: William Hill US.
- Wheeling Island: Miomni
- Hollywood: William Hill US, DraftKings Sportsbook
- Mardi Grass: Miomni
Online Sports Betting in West Virginia
West Virginia has successfully legalized online sports betting in addition to in-person betting. Some of the brands with the best West Virginian Sportsbooks are guaranteed of offering competitive odds compared to Vegas bookies, live dealer casino options, reliable payouts, and vast betting lines. The sites are:
- Bovada: 50% up to $250
- Sports Betting: 50% up to $1000
- BetDSI: 100% up to $500
- BookMaker.eu: 50% up to $500
- BetOnline: 50% up to $1000
When planning the outline for mobile or online sports betting, the regulators added that each casino licensee can offer a maximum of three individually branded online platforms, commonly referred to as the “skins”. It is a mandate for each of the skin partners to display the logo of the license-sustaining casino within its platform.
Can West Virginian Players Enjoy Poker?
You are in for some good news because the state does offer poker gambling in some of the various gambling dens.
What about Online Poker? Is it Legal and Available to the Players?
Online poker is also available for the players to enjoy and they can do so at some of the top rated casinos mentioned below:
- Ignition casino with a maximum bonus of 100% up to $1000
- Bovada with a bonus of 100% up top $500
- BetOnline offering a bonus of 100% of $1000
- Sports Betting with a bonus of 100% up to $1000
In addition to this, last November, PokerStars had made an agreement with Eldorado Resorts to provide their online poker platform. You will be thrilled to learn that Eldorado is the owner of Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort in Cumberland. And hence, it is highly likely for the world’s most established online poker provider will be made accessible in West Virginia.
West Virginian Gambling Laws
How does West Virginia Define Gambling?
Gambling is defined by the state as betting or wagering of any valuable thing or money on any game of opportunity or consciously giving money or some valuable item for another to bet on any game of chance
What is the Penalty Outlined by the State?
The gambling penalties can range from $5 to $100 for wagering at table games. For those keeping a gaming table or machine unlawfully is sure to face a fine in the range of $100 to $1000 and even 2-12 months of jail time.
What does the Law Necessarily Say?
According to the articles 22A, 22B and 22C of the West Virginia Code Chapter 29 and articles 10 and 23 of Chapter 19, West Virginia permit licensed horse and dog racing and Bingo, raffles and other games of chance. It also allows scratch cards, charitable gaming, poker gambling, pari-mutuel wagering and video lottery games similar to slot machines, but the machines are strictly prohibited from using casinos themes in the likes of baccarat, roulette, and dice.
What are the Activities Banned by the Law?
Activities bordering on the line of animal fighting like cockfighting or dog fighting are prohibited. Also, “numbers” or “policy” games, keeping illegal gaming tables like keno or faro tables or devices on properties, guarding gambling activities or gambling at hotels are ruled out as illegal by the law.
A Concluding Thought
No matter if you are a resident of this state or just a tourist cruising through this beautiful state, the place keeps up with your gambling interests. Even though there are some things that you are forbidden to do, there are lots and lots for you to enjoy like the state lotteries that have been in play since the 1980s or the racetracks. It does offer you with a range of commercial gaming facilities. The online gambling is also available without any local restrictions as such but it is true that it will take some time for the online casinos to function in full swing. Till then enjoy whatever the state has to offer and it is pretty impressive.
The legal gambling status of all US states
- Online casino & sports betting is legal
- Sports betting is legal
- Considering legalizing online gambling