New Jersey lawmakers led the charge to legalize sports betting in the U.S. outside Nevada. But West Virginia actually beat New Jersey to the punch, legalizing those bets in March 2018—two months before the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban.
After the SCOTUS ruling, lawmakers in the Mountain State raced to create a regulatory framework for the new industry. The first bet was placed on August 30, and online casinos were close behind, launching in July 2020.
Since then, West Virginia’s iGaming market has grown by leaps and bounds. In October 2021, sports fans placed more than $61 million in total wagers—up from $17 million in September. Total online casino handle for December was $280 million, a 41.5% increase from November.
Here’s a breakdown of the market and its top operators:
BetMGM Sportsbook & Casino
In January 2020, BetMGM launched its mobile sports betting app in partnership with the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. Its online casino app followed in August of the same year.
BetMGM features include in-app, livestreamed sporting events from around the world, and offers industry-leading promotions only available inside the Mountain State.
With BetMGM, fans can place bets quickly and easily—even if they have never bet on sports before. Adam Greenblatt, CEO of Roar Digital, said West Virginians “will notice the care we’ve put into making this a mobile betting experience for die-hard sports fans and novices alike.”
New customers are treated to a generous welcome bonus—create a new player account, and you’re eligible for:
- The 100% Deposit Match: Once you’re ready to deposit, BetMGM matches your first transaction dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 (this cap is boosted to $2,500 for West Virginia players).
- Bonus Spins (WV Only): West Virginia players currently receive an extra 50 Bonus Spins on the Bellagio Fountains of Fortune slot as a cherry on top.
The Fine Print: The deposit match typically has a 15x wagering requirement, and you have 14 days to complete it. In the world of online casinos, 15x is considered very fair compared to some offshore sites that require 50x or more.
BetMGM Rewards Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including bonus credits for online casino play, poker play, and sports wagering. Points can also be used for hotel, dining, and other experiences at MGM Resorts properties nationwide.
Caesars Sportsbook & Casino
Caesars Sportsbook & Casino launched in August 2021, in partnership with the Mountaineer Casino in New Cumberland.
Caesars offers a 100% free bet in the amount of your first deposit bonus, worth up to $1,500, when you sign up to play. Want to get started with a lesser amount? That’s OK too—a minimum deposit of $50 qualifies you for a $50 free bet.
The sportsbook offers an extensive menu of sports and wagers, including live betting and same-game parlays on an easy-to-use platform. Sportsbook promos are regularly updated.
Like BetMGM, Caesars has a popular loyalty program. Caesars Rewards accumulate as you play, and are redeemable for hotel stays, dining, shopping, and more.
Caesars Casino features a vast library of online slots and table games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, and more. All games on the app have been optimized for smaller screens, and some will give you the choice to play in landscape or portrait mode. There is a full list of free-to-play versions of online games, so you can try them out before you play for real money.
You’ll find a rotating schedule of special perks and promotions, and as you continue to play, the promos will be personalized just for you.
It’s easy to find your way around the casino lobby and mobile sportsbook. All in all, Caesars provides a seamless, top-of-the-line player experience.
BetRivers Casino
In April 2021, BetRivers launched its online casino in West Virginia, partnering with the Mountaineer Casino. BetRivers is a brand of Rush Street Interactive (RSI).
The BetRivers app features a fun array of online slot games and popular table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. As in other markets where it operates, BetRivers often adds new games, giving players fresh content and the robust entertainment library it’s known for in other states.
BetRivers has a larger range of games than many of its competitors, and the casino lobby is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Customers in the Mountain State also have access to RSI’s loyalty program,
iRush Rewards. It serves up plenty of perks, depending on your tier level, including birthday gifts, VIP events, hotel stays, and dining experiences.
BetRivers’ mobile app performs well on all devices. And while the sign-up bonus is less than you’ll find elsewhere—a 100% deposit match of up to $250—it comes with a very generous 1x rollover requirement.
If you’re 21 years of age or older and inside the borders of West Virginia, you can get in the game, online or at one of the state’s five land-based casinos.
More on iGaming in West Virginia
Sports bettors in West Virginia can bet on a wide range of markets, including:
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Football
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Darts
- Golf
- Tennis
- MMA
- Auto Racing
- Olympics
- Soccer
- Table Tennis
Bet Types
- Moneyline
- Spread
- Totals (Over/Under)
- Futures
- Props (except college sports)
- Alternative lines
Banking Options
- PayPal
- Visa/MasterCard/Discover
- Venmo
- ACH/eCheck
- Online Banking
- Play+ Prepaid Cards
- PayNearMe
- Cash at the retail casino cage
Responsible Gaming Protections in West Virginia
According to the West Virginia Gaming & Racing Association, 1% to 2% of all gamblers have a gambling problem. Are you one of them? Ask yourself if these statements apply to you:
- You’ve often gambled longer than you planned, sometimes until your last dollar was gone.
- Thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep.
- You have used income or savings to gamble, while letting bills go unpaid, or borrowed money to finance your gambling.
- Gambling losses have left you feeling depressed or even suicidal.
- You have broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling.
- Feelings of remorse often follow a gambling session, and you have made frequent, unsuccessful attempts to stop.
- You have gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations.
If this sounds like you or someone you love, consider seeking professional help. Call the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia at 1-800-426-2537, or visit 1-800-GAMBLER.net. For tips on how to keep gambling safe and fun, click here.
