West Virginia Sports Betting in 2024: Legal WV Sportsbooks

Top 5 West Virginia sports betting sites

The best sportsbooks feature excellent mobile experiences, top-notch welcome offers, and a wide range of competitive odds. Sign up with the top five West Virginia betting sites to take advantage of everything these sportsbooks have to offer in 2024.

1. BetMGM WV

$1,500 in Bonus Bets

Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

CVRBONUS1500

Claim $1,500

BetMGM is one of the most iconic names in the U.S. betting landscape, offering impeccable gambling services for decades. In 2024, Maryland bettors can expect sharp betting lines, great ongoing bonuses and boosts, a fantastic mobile app, and one of the industry's top loyalty programs — MGM Rewards.

Browse our BetMGM Sportsbook review for a comprehensive look at this operator, including how the latest BetMGM bonus code 'CVRBONUS1500' can result in up to $1,500 in bonus bets. 

• App Store rating: 4.8/5 (iOS), 4.3/5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,500 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 2 days

2. FanDuel WV

Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + 3 Months of NBA League Pass

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of min $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins.

Claim $150

Wielding one of the industry’s premier welcome bonuses, FanDuel has set itself apart from its competition in a myriad of ways, including its top-tier online sportsbook app, unique bet types and promos, and exclusive live-streaming partnerships. If you’re looking for the best place to start wagering on sports, there are few better options than FanDuel Sportsbook.

Jump into our FanDuel Review to learn more.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS); 4.7 (Android)
• Best feature: Competitive odds
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + 3 Months of NBA League Pass
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

3. Caesars WV

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Code: COVERSBONUS1000

Claim $1,000

Caesars Sportsbook steps up to bat with one of the best sports betting apps in the U.S. and features a highly touted rewards program, along with one of the better customer support services in the industry.

Refer to our Caesars Sportsbook Review for more analysis from our experts.

• App Store rating: 4.6 (iOS); 4.4 (Android)
• Best feature: White glove customer service
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

4. DraftKings WV

Bet $5, Get $150 + $1K Deposit Bonus

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of min. $5 and get $150 in bonus bets.

Ends: Jan. 5, 2025

Available in West Virginia

Claim $150

It’s difficult to discuss the best online sports betting experiences in any state without mentioning DraftKings Sportsbook, and West Virginia is no exception. The operator’s straightforward interface on both its website and highly regarded sports betting app makes navigation and wagering a snap. Throw in a great number of sports to bet on, a ton of bonuses and promos, and an extremely reliable payout system, and it becomes apparent why DraftKings WV is one of the state’s top-five sportsbooks.

Ensure you read our DraftKings Review to learn all you need to know about the sportsbook.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS); 4.6 (Android)
• Best feature: Live betting
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + $1K Deposit Bonus
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

5. Fanatics Sportsbook WV

$1,000 in No Sweat Bets

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place a min. $1 daily first bet and, if the wager loses, get up to a $100 no sweat bonus bet for 10 consecutive days. Daily bonus issued within 72 hours.

Ends: Dec. 31, 2024

Claim $1,000

Fanatics is widely known for its sports merchandise, but its online sportsbook is an emerging operator set to make a name for itself in the U.S. sports betting industry. Fanatics Sportsbook is now live in 21 states and offers a well-rounded sports betting experience to WV bettors, highlighted by its exceptional loyalty program and NFL live streaming capabilities. 

Our Fanatics Sportsbook Review provides more details.

• App Store rating: 4.7 (iOS); 3.8 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 in No Sweat Bets
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

Best WV sports betting offers and bonuses

Legal sportsbooks are constantly attempting to attract new Mountain State bettors to their platform. While each betting promo or sign-up bonus differs and some fall flat, we've highlighted the best West Virginia sports betting bonuses in 2024 for your convenience:

BetMGM - $1,500 in bonus bets: BetMGM WV allows new users an additional opportunity to win. Bettors who lose their first wager can earn up to $1,500 back in bonus bets — which arrive as up to five $300 bonus bets (equal denominations of 20% of the total amount of the qualifying bet.) Use BetMGM bonus code 'CVRBONUS1500' to activate this offer, which expires on Dec. 31, 2024.

FanDuel - Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + 3 Months of NBA League Pass: First-time FanDuel WV customers can snag $150 in bonus bets. All it takes is a $5 deposit and a $5 wager on any sports market. If your bet wins, you'll receive the welcome bonus within 72 hours. No FanDuel promo code is needed, but you need to claim this offer before Dec. 22, 2024. 

Caesars Sportsbook - $1,000 First Bet on Caesars: Enter our exclusive Caesars Sportsbook promo code 'COVERSBONUS1000' to secure up to $1,000 in bonus bets. Register a new account and place your first real money wager within 30 days. If that wager loses, you'll get the entirety of your stake back, up to $1,000, in bonus bets. New users have 14 days to use the bonus bet.

DraftKings - Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + $1K Deposit Bonus: The DraftKings Sportsbook sign-up bonus is a boon for new WV bettors. Deposit a minimum of $5 and wager at least $5 on any sports market before Jan. 5, 2025. The sportsbook will instantly hand out six $25 bonus bets for a total of $150 if your bet wins or loses. No DraftKings promo code is required to claim the bonus, which is valid for seven days (168 hours). You can also access a secondary '20% deposit match up to $1,000' welcome offer, which is valid until Nov. 30, 2024. 

Fanatics Sportsbook - $1,000 in No Sweat Bets: New Fanatics Sportsbook customers in West Virginia can claim up to $1,000 in no sweat bonus bets by placing a daily $1 wager on any market of -500 or longer for their first 10 days. The operator will match the daily wager in bonus bets up to $100 if the wager loses. The offer is valid until Dec. 31, 2024. No Fanatics Sportsbook promo code is required to qualify.

Read all terms and conditions associated with these bonuses and promotional offers.

West Virginia sports betting updates

West Virginia lawmakers were quick on the draw as they already had sports betting laws in place ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

Here are some key events in West Virginia's legal sports betting history:

Nov. 6, 2024: Caesars Entertainment launches horseshoe online casino in West Virginia, following one opening in Michigan. Caesars also launched an online casino in Pennsylvania and Ontario.

Nov. 6, 2024: West Virginia generates a $50 million sports betting handle in October.

Oct. 8, 2024: West Virginia's September sports betting revenue is up 48% year-over-year.

Sept. 10, 2024: College football boosts West Virginia sportsbooks in August, as revenue increased 78% year-over-year for the month. 

Aug. 19, 2024: West Virginia generated a 13.2% hold in July, which is among the highest numbers in the country. 

Aug. 5, 2024: Oddin.gg secures a temporary sports betting license in West Virginia, allowing the operator to provide esports betting odds within the state. 

July 3, 2024: West Virginia issues a cease-and-desist order to Bovada over unlicensed sports betting within the state, becoming the fourth state to do so. 

June 11, 2024: West Virginia continues its run of sportsbook-friendly holds in May as the Mountaineer State posted an 11.3% win rate for the month. 

May 6, 2024: West Virginia's handle drops 34% month-over-month in April. 

April 25, 2024: West Virginia's monthly handle rises 34% in March due to increase in basketball wagers. 

Feb. 29, 2024: West Virginia House passes sports betting harassment bill — HB 4700 — which allows the state lottery to ban individuals who conduct harmful behavior towards athletes. 

Feb. 6, 2024: West Virginia sportsbooks enjoy a 65% year-over-year revenue increase in January, announcing $6 million in revenue for the month. 

Jan. 25, 2024: PrizePicks adds new peer-to-peer game in West Virginia and three other U.S. states — PrizePicks Arena. 

Nov. 16, 2023: Fanatics Sportsbook officially launches in West Virginia and begins migrating customers over from PointsBet. 

Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET goes live with online and mobile sports betting, launching in West Virginia and 16 other states.

Nov. 2, 2023: ESPN BET plans to launch on Nov. 14, 2023, with online sports betting going live in 17 U.S. states, including West Virginia. 

Aug. 11, 2023: WynnBet — the legal sports betting and iGaming platform for Wynn Resorts — closes operations in six jurisdictions, including West Virginia.

June 23, 2023: WynnBET launches its sportsbook and iCasino in West Virginia.

May 10, 2023: West Virginia's monthly sports betting handle drops 11% month-over-month, totaling just over $38.5 million in April.

March 29, 2023: DraftKings introduces its DK Horse app to West Virginia sports betting in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby.

March 14, 2023: House Bill 3232 fails to pass through the Senate. The bill, introduced by Rep. Clay Riley, would have fabricated a system to evaluate sports betting handicappers.

Feb. 7, 2023: West Virginia lawmakers introduce HB 3310, a bill which would ban sports bettors from wagering should they harass any player, coach, or official at a sports event.

June 7, 2022: BetRivers launches its West Virginia online sportsbook.

March 14, 2022: Over the weekend, lawmakers pass a bill that will allow legal WV sports betting sites to accept bets on esports events.

Jan. 26, 2022: PointsBet launches its online casino in West Virginia. The iGaming platform was previously released in Michigan and New Jersey.

Dec. 17, 2021: The WVU Mountaineers meet the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 28, 2021.

Nov. 22, 2021: Barstool Sportsbook launches its mobile app in West Virginia.

November 2021: WV registers a monthly handle of $61.7 million for October.

January 2020: BetMGM enters the West Virginia sports betting market with its online sports betting app.

August 2019: Mobile betting returns to West Virginia with the arrival of FanDuel and DraftKings.

March 2019: Legal disputes unexpectedly halt the operations of BetLucky and two other sportsbooks — leaving West Virginians in the dark and without online sports betting options.

December 2018: BetLucky becomes the first online operator to go live in WV.

August 2018: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town accepts the first legal sports wager in West Virginia.

May 2018: SCOTUS officially strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), opening the door for the West Virginia Lottery Commission to get to work on establishing state regulations.

March 2018: West Virginia lawmakers legalize sports betting — Gov. Jim Justice gave the go-ahead for the bill to become law.

March 2017: Delegate Shawn Fluharty introduced bill H2751 which added verbiage to the state’s constitution regarding the legalization and regulation of sports betting at WV casinos. This homegrown solution was put into place in the event that PASPA was overturned.

Is sports betting legal in West Virginia?

Yes, West Virginia has legal sports betting. Senate Bill 415, enacted in March 2018, facilitated the launch of retail sports betting in August of the same year. Legal online sportsbooks became available in August 2019.

Presently, Mountain State sports bettors can choose from nine legal WV betting sites.

What sportsbooks are legal in WV?

Gone are the days of BetLucky, but West Virginia sports betting is in fine form in 2024.

The West Virginia Lottery oversees these nine online sportsbook operators:

1. BetMGM - Best for banking
   
   
2. FanDuel - Intuitive menus
   
   
3. Caesars - Largest bonus
   
   
4. Fanatics Sportsbook - Unique bet types
   
   
5. DraftKings - Best mobile app
   
   
6. BetRivers - Best for new bettors
   
   
7. ESPN BET - Lots of markets
   
   
8. Golden Nugget - Most secure
   
   
9. Betly - User-friendly
   
   

Legal sportsbooks in West Virginia

West Virginia sports bettors may place wagers with a wide range of online legal sportsbooks or visit a retail location to bet on events in person. Mobile sports betting apps and sports betting websites may be used for online betting, while retail sportsbooks can be found in one of West Virginia’s casinos.

West Virginia sports betting sites

Land-based West Virginia sportsbooks

Latest West Virginia sports betting news

Who can partake in West Virginia sports betting?

West Virginia sports betting is open to anyone 21 years of age and older. Players can place physical bets at a casino or try their luck online with West Virginia sports betting sites. Let’s cover the basics before placing your first bet:

The pros and cons of WV sports betting

New Mountain State bettors can open West Virginia sports betting accounts online and place nearly any type of wager from anywhere in the state.

Each retail provider is permitted to host up to three unique sports betting brands — often referred to as “skins.” There are currently nine legal sportsbooks in West Virginia that are taking wagers online.

Convenience of remote registration

Few limitations for sports bettors

Statewide West Virginia sports betting via online sportsbooks

Limited WV sportsbook providers

Glitchy geolocation tracking software

Cut-off times for NFL Draft

How to start betting in West Virginia

Sports bettors in West Virginia have the option of traveling to a retail sportsbook to place a physical bet or using an online sportsbook to wager remotely. Both options accept a variety of payment methods and offer a multitude of betting opportunities.

What you can't bet on in West Virginia

West Virginians can place different types of wagers on nearly every sporting event, but there are some limitations. As with other states, bettors are not permitted to place wagers on high school athletes. Here is a rundown of what else is not available to bettors:

Politics

The West Virginia Lottery Commission strictly prohibits gambling on any political event, including Presidential elections.

Awards ceremonies

Celebrity and pop-culture events, such as the Academy Awards, are off-limits in West Virginia.

What about the NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft has turned into a major betting event, and West Virginians can partake in the betting action. However, there is a small wrinkle: Betting for the opening round closes 24 hours prior to the start of the draft at West Virginia sportsbooks. This measure is designed to curb any last-minute wagers made in the wake of any news leaks.

What about WV college sports?

Betting on West Virginia university and college sports is permitted. Additionally, there are no regulations on player proposition bets or live betting.

What about esports?

HB 4826 became law in March 2022. As of June 10, 2022, West Virginians are allowed to bet on virtual events at one of the state's licensed esports betting sites.

West Virginia sports betting handle

West Virginia betting has experienced peaks and valleys in the volume of month-to-month sports wagers, but the state appears to have overcome recent setbacks.

Due largely to a six-month stretch of no online sports bets in 2019, West Virginia’s online and retail betting handles are nearly identical.

Over $1.5 billion has been generated in total, and with licenses permitting land-based casinos to partner with up to three skins apiece, the future of West Virginia sports betting looks bright.

Here’s a breakdown of West Virginia sports betting earnings to date:

Editor's note: West Virginia releases its sports betting handle and revenue weekly, so monthly totals may not be exact.

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

Home team advantage: West Virginia sports

The Mountain State is not home to any professional sports teams, but West Virginians are as passionate about professional and college sports as any other in the nation.

Despite your fandom, it’s important to remain objective when placing bets on your favorite team. Our how to bet guides are an excellent resource for beginner bettors to learn the basics of different types of wagers.

NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins

Get live NHL odds

NBA

Cleveland Cavaliers

Get live NBA odds

NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers

Get live NFL odds

MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates

Get live MLB odds

Although no upcoming fights are scheduled in the Mountain State, the best UFC betting sites and top boxing betting sites allow you to easily browse the markets and back fighters you can cheer on as passionately as your hometown teams.

West Virginia sports betting law

Despite Gov. Jim Justice's decision not to sign SB 415, the WV sports betting bill became law in March 2018. Retail wagering was introduced on Aug. 30, 2018, while online sportsbooks arrived on Aug. 26, 2019.

Legal West Virginia sports betting highlights include:

• The West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates all online and land-based sports wagering in WV.
  
  
• You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in West Virginia.
  
  
• West Virginia sports betting law allows for five sports wagering licenses.
  
  
• Land-based and online sportsbooks are taxed 10% of gross gaming revenue.
  
  
• West Virginia bettors may bet on college sports — including in-state teams.
  
  
• esports wagering is permitted in West Virginia.

Other types of gambling

The Mountain State is home to five casinos — including four racinos that offer horse and dog racing. Regardless of where you choose to play, you can expect to find droves of classic table games and slots.

Quick facts: West Virginia sports betting

West Virginia has left no stone unturned in terms of its betting landscape. Betting on esports and online poker are two generally longshot options that are available for West Virginians. 

Check out the table below for a quick breakdown:

Responsible gaming in West Virginia

Like other states with legalized gambling, West Virginia takes problem gambling very seriously. The West Virginia Lottery Commission has taken steps to ensure proper resources are in place for those who need assistance.

Cautionary reminders of the risks associated with gambling can be found in all of WV’s casinos. Additionally, the Compulsive Gambling Treatment fund has been established to support problem gambling initiatives.

Individuals can also voluntarily add themselves to a self-exclusion list by submitting a written request to the director of the Lottery Commission.

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

The Supreme Court's ruling overturned the long-standing federal ban on sports gambling. West Virginia, and several other states, acted on the legislation that was already in place to offer legalized sports betting. Sports gambling is also legal in these U.S. jurisdictions:

Legal U.S. sports betting launches

Legal North Carolina sports betting is here, launching on March 11, 2024. bet365, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and more are all currently available for registration.

Vermont sports betting arrived on Jan. 11, 2024. Three operators — FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook — were available on day one. 

Legal Maine sports betting launched on Nov. 3, 2023. Mainers can now place legal wagers statewide with mobile betting apps via DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook.

Kentucky sports betting became a reality when retail locations opened their doors to eager bettors on Sept. 7, 2023. Online and mobile wagering followed with a highly-anticipated Sept. 28, 2023, launch.

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

Unlike West Virginia, there are still plenty of states moving toward legal sports betting.

Check out the list below of locales that may potentially put legal sports gambling measures in place soon:

West Virginia sports betting history

SB 415 legalized WV sports betting — online and land-based — in March 2018. Today, nine West Virginia betting sites and five retail locations accept legal wagers.

2023: DK Horse — a DraftKings horse race betting app — goes live in West Virginia. WynnBET launches it's sportsbook and casino in the state.

2022: Lawmakers pass a bill to legalize esports wagering. 

After launching its West Virginia online casino in 2021, BetRivers sets its online sportsbook live in the Mountain State.

2021: Barstool, Golden Nugget, and PointsBet enter the mobile sports betting market in West Virginia.

2020: BetMGM goes live in WV in January. Betly and William Hill (now Caesars) bring their mobile betting apps to West Virginia in time for the 2020 NFL season.

WV sportsbooks take in over $414 million in the first full year of legal sports betting.

2019: BetLucky leaves the West Virginia online sports betting market due to legal disputes. WV bettors gain legal access to online wagering options on Aug. 26 when DraftKings and FanDuel launch mobile West Virginia betting apps.

2018: Gov. Jim Justice does not sign SB 415, but the bill becomes law due to inaction in March.

In May, the Supreme Court deems the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional, giving West Virginia and other U.S. states complete control of how and when they regulate online and retail sports betting.

The first WV retail sportsbook opens its doors at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town on Aug. 30.

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

West Virginia sports betting conclusion

Consider West Virginia as the elder statesman on the U.S. sports betting block. Legal WV sports betting began in 2018, and each of the state's five licensed casinos or racetracks is allowed to host up to three sportsbook brands or skins, as they are known. Residents can register remotely with any of the nine sports betting sites live in West Virginia but could gain access to as many as 15.

West Virginia bettors have a cornucopia of markets to engage with, including collegiate sports, the NFL Draft and esports. Sports gamblers from neighboring states, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio, can cross into WV to place wagers until their respective states formally roll out legal sports betting.