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West Virginia passed the WV Lottery Interactive Wagering Act in March 2019, joining the small but growing number of US states with legal online casino gambling. With the additions of poker and sports betting, the Mountain State is one of the few that regulates all three primary forms of online gambling.
The first legal WV online casino — DraftKings Casino — went live on July 15, 2020. It enjoyed a monopoly for about six weeks before Roar Digital joined the ring with its BetMGM product.
West Virginia online casinos
So far, there are two online casinos operating legally in WV:
The law permits iGaming operators to partner with one of the state’s five brick-and-mortar casinos, each of which may deploy up to three online casino brands. That means there could eventually be as many as 15 online casinos available to gamblers statewide. Expect the small WV interactive market to be a competitive one.
WV online casinos will mostly be available for both desktop and mobile devices, including iOS and Android smartphones.
West Virginia online casino partnerships
| Licensee | Brand | Launch |
|---|---|---|
| The Greenbrier | BetMGM Casino | August 28, 2020 |
| Hollywood | DraftKings Casino | July 15, 2020 |
| Mardi Gras | -- | -- |
| Mountaineer | -- | -- |
| Wheeling Island | -- | -- |
Land-based licensees are allowed three online casino brands apiece.
FanDuel Casino WV will almost certainly be the next operator to launch a West Virginia online casino via its partnership with The Greenbrier.
The Stars Group also secured access to WV under a partnership with Eldorado Resorts, but the situation has since changed for both parties. TSG is now part of Flutter — the same company that owns FanDuel — and Eldorado sold off its WV casino in order to facilitate its acquisition of Caesars.
Games at WV online casinos
Products available in other regulated US online casino markets provide some indication of what games might be available from those in West Virginia.
The catalog for most operators will likely include a variety of slots and video poker titles, along with table games like blackjack and roulette. Stakes should range from as low as a penny up into the thousands of dollars.
It seems less certain that supporting companies like Evolution Gaming will bring their novel products and services to less-populous states like WV.
West Virginia online casino bonuses
Online casinos routinely offer various promotions to players, including:
- No-deposit bonuses
- Matching bonuses
- Reload bonuses
- Referral bonuses
A no-deposit bonus gives new players funds just for registering an account, allowing them to try out games without risking any of their own money. They are similar to no-risk bets that give players free bets before they deposit. Such bonuses cannot be withdrawn, but any winnings the player accumulates with them can be.
Matching bonuses give first-time depositors an amount that matches their deposit up to a designated maximum. Those bonuses generally must also be wagered within a certain time period after depositing (e.g., 30 or 60 days). Reload bonuses are similar, giving players bonus funds to match amounts they deposit.
Referral bonuses give players bonuses for recruiting other players to get accounts. Other loyalty promotions common to online casinos include double-points deals and rewards programs.
Depositing and withdrawing at WV online casinos
Much as is the case with WV online sportsbooks, online casinos in the state will no doubt accept a variety of methods for users to deposit funds to their accounts:
- ACH/eCheck
- credit and debit cards
- online banking/bank transfers
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Play+
- PayNearMe
- check
- cash at the casino cage
Withdrawal options may be fewer, though cash-outs via ACH/eCheck, PayPal, and regular checks will likely be allowed. Players will also be able to withdraw funds in person at the licensing casino’s cashier cage, in all likelihood.
Sweepstakes casinos in West Virginia
While players in West Virginia await regulated real-money options, there exists an alternative in sweepstakes online casinos such as Chumba Casino.
Sweepstakes games don’t use real money but rather require one of two virtual currencies — gold coins and sweeps coins. Sites that operate under this model are therefore legally able to welcome gamblers from West Virginia and nearly every other US state.
FAQ: West Virginia online casinos
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Here are answers to some of the most-common questions about online casinos in West Virginia.
Are online casinos legal in WV?
Yes. Online casino gambling is legal in West Virginia under a law passed in 2019, and the first regulated sites appeared in 2020.
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Sweepstakes online casinos like Chumba Casino also welcome West Virginians.
Who can play at WV online casinos?
West Virginia’s rules are similar to most other states with legal online gambling. The minimum age is 21 and online gambling is open to visitors as well as state residents. Employees of the state’s casinos are forbidden from gambling, and the state lottery maintains a self-exclusion registry for problem gamblers.
One must, however, be located within the physical borders of the state in order to bet at regulated online gambling sites. Online casinos will be able to ensure players are indeed inside West Virginia via geolocation technology.
What are the fees and taxes for WV online casinos?
Online casino operators pay $250,000 apiece for the privilege of offering their games in West Virginia. Licenses are valid for five years, and renewal costs $100,000.
The state taxes WV online casino revenue at a rate of 15%.
Who regulates online casinos in WV?
The West Virginia Lottery regulates all gambling in the state, including online casinos.
- Phone: 800-982-2274
- Email: [email protected]
West Virginia online casino history
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Lawmakers in West Virginia spent a few years toying with the idea of legal online gambling before a piece of 2019 legislation gathered enough steam to cross the finish line.
The WV Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (HB 2934) authorized both online casinos and WV online poker sites, making the small state one of the few with a full suite of iGaming options. The two chambers passed the bill with relative ease in March, and online casinos subsequently became legal without the governor’s signature.
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The launch timeline proceeded on schedule, with emergency rules finalized over the summer. DraftKings Casino christened the WV market with its launch on July 15, 2020. BetMGM subsequently began offering online casino games in the state at the tail end of the following month.