Best West Virginia Sports Betting Sites in 2026

Written by: Richard Janvrin |✅Fact Checked and Updated March 2024 by: Michael Savio

Few states invested in online sports betting like West Virginia did, passing legislation before the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned in May 2018.  

West Virginia was one of the first states to the party to offer online sports betting to their residents and those passing through, launching the first site in December 2018.  

Here, our USA Legal Betting experts will discuss all things West Virginia sports betting, including the top online sportsbooks, creating an account, bonuses/promotions, and more.

Is Sports Betting Legal In West Virginia?

Yes. Sports betting has been legal in West Virginia since March 2018, when Senate Bill 415 was signed into law. In June of that year, sports betting regulations were created. In December, the first online sportsbook, BetLucky, went live. Today, it’s defunct, but it marked West Virginia as one of the first states to offer legal online sports betting.

1. DraftKings West Virginia - Top Choice for Wagering on WV Sports Teams
2. FanDuel Sportsbook  West Virginia - Premier Choice for WV DFS Betting
3. BetMGM Sportsbook  West Virginia  - The Top WV Sports Betting App
4. Caesars Sportsbook West Virginia - Top-Tier WV Odds and Odds Boosts
5. Fanatics West Virginia - Most Unique WV Betting Markets
6. BetRivers Sportsbook West Virginia  - Leading West Virginia Rewards Program
7. ESPN BET Sportsbook West Virginia  - Highly Anticipated WV Rebrand
8. Betly Sportsbook West Virginia - Great New Online Sportsbook for WV

In West Virginia, there are eight active sportsbooks since BetLucky and WynnBET went defunct. Below, we’ll rank them and provide some insight into each of them, including the bonus and promotion options.

After reviewing the eight live online sportsbooks above, we discuss the most common bonuses and promotions below.  

• Bonus Bets: Bonus bets can be earned from deposits, wagering a specific amount to receive an amount or various other sources like receiving them back after a failed wager.
• Deposit Bonus: A deposit bonus can net you bonus bets. A popular example is a 100% deposit bonus of up to $1,000. So you can deposit up to $1,000, receive a match at a 100% rate, and get it as bonus bets.
• Loyalty Programs: With Loyalty Programs, you’ll earn points that you can redeem for numerous prizes and bonus bets.
• Odds Boosts: With odds boosts, a game, contest, or prop will be artificially enhanced to make the wager more appealing from a betting odds perspective. This is done by the sportsbook or via a promotion provided by the site.

📰 June 6 2023: West Virginia Lottery investigating several online sportsbook companies that may be operating illegally in the state.

📰 October 2023: Fanatics launches in West Virginia, closing the PointsBet platform that had previously been in operation. 

📰 October 2023: The September sports betting handle hit $44.4 million, an increase of more than 85% compared to August.  

📰 September 2023: Fanatics rebrands PointsBet to “PointsBet, A Fanatics Experience” after purchasing PointsBet USA.

📰 August 11, 2023: WynnBET ceases operations.

📰 July 2023: June sports betting revenue hits $2.05 million.

📰 July 7, 2023: Betly shuts down its separate betting apps in preparation for one integrated app for the sportsbook and casino.

Below, we’ll go over the key moments for sports betting legalization in WV.

• March 2018: WV passed SB415, but sports betting was still illegal nationwide.
• May 2018: PASPA is overturned.
• June 21, 2018: The sports betting regulations are agreed upon.
• December 2018: The first online sportsbook, BetLucky (which is now defunct) goes live).
• 2019: Online casinos become legal on March 27, 2019. More sportsbooks launch in August.
• 2020: The first online casinos launched in July.

For the sports betting law in West Virginia, there are some notable practices that stand out.

• The sports betting tax on gross sports wagering revenue for sportsbooks is 10%.
• $100,000 application fee.
• The first online sportsbook was BetLucky in December 2018, which is not defunct.
• Online sportsbooks must have a retail partner.
• Cannot bet on college props.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission regular sports betting in WV.

Below are the handle numbers dating back to the launch of online sports betting in West Virginia.

West Virginia launched sports betting in 2019, but as always, new bettors start wagering every day. Below is a quick "how-to" guide on getting started.

1. Pick a Site: Check out our reviews to see which site(s) suit you best.
2. Create an Account: Download the mobile app for the site or visit the desktop page and create an account. You must provide personal details such as your name, address, phone number, and last four digits of your social security number.
3. Welcome Bonus: Meet the requirements of the welcome bonus. This could include depositing funds, meeting wagering requirements, or inputting a promo code.
4. Add Funds: On the homepage, you’ll find a link to deposit funds in the upper right. Head here and complete the process to load your account up to start betting.
5. Start Wagering: With funds in your account, browse the available games and bets, add them to your bet slip, confirm your wager, and wait for the results.
6. Withdraw Your Winnings: After racking up some wins, withdraw your funds and reap the rewards. These are typically found on a Cashier page. For example, at DraftKings, this can be found in the upper left after clicking on your account icon. Each sportsbook will have its own unique spot where it’s accessible.

Yes. The eight sportsbooks in West Virginia have mobile apps. Below, we’ll touch on using them, including registering, depositing, and placing bets.

How Do I Use A WV Sportsbook Mobile App?

Registration
To begin, visit the app store on your device. Next, search for the online sportsbook you want to play at, download the app, and create an account. During registration, provide the required personal information and a promo code, if necessary, for the welcome bonus.
Depositing Funds:
After creating your account, venture to the deposit page. You can find it in the upper right corner of the app or through a menu option. You'll select your preferred method and complete the process.
Placing Bets:
After creating an account and depositing funds, it's time to bet. Head to the homepage, find the sports menu, browse the game options for the sport you're interested in, and add some wagers to your betslip. Once they're added, put in the amount you want to wager and wait for the results.

Football

NFL

There are numerous NFL betting sites to choose from in West Virginia. While there’s no professional team in the state, all betting sites in the state more than accommodate NFL betting as it’s the most popular sport to bet on before, during, and after the season.

Super Bowl

Each February, you’ll find that all sites in WV strive to become the best betting site for the Super Bowl due to the amount of attention the big game receives regarding wagers.

NCAA Football

West Virginia is home to many NCAA football betting sites, with the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd in the state. The Mountaineers are members of the Big 12 Conference and compete with big-name teams like Texas and Oklahoma.

Basketball

NBA

Betting on the NBA is available in WV.  In addition to betting on the NBA Finals, numerous other markets are available, including moneyline, point spread, totals, props, and more for the 82-game regular season.

NCAA Basketball

NCAA basketball betting is also available in WV. The Mountaineers have made the NCAA Tournament 13 times since 2005.

March Madness

March Madness betting is up simillar to beting on the Super Bowl, as this is the next big event after the NFL season. The Mountaineers made it March Madness in 2023.

Baseball

MLB

MLB betting is available in WV, and here, betting on the World Series is encouraged, sure, but there’s also the playoffs and 162-game regular season.

Hockey

NHL

Betting on the NHL is available in WV. Here, you can bet on the Stanley Cup Finals, the 82 regular season games, and the entire postseason. Betting on the Stanley Cup will also provide ample bonus and promotion opportunities.

Golf

Golf betting sites are available in WV and here, you’ll be able to bet on the winners of numerous tournaments, including the PGA Championship.

NASCAR Auto Racing

While there are no tracks in the state, NASCAR betting is still popular in West Virginia. Here, you’ll be able to bet on the winners of races and numerous driver head-to-head props.

Boxing

Betting on Boxing is available in WV. With boxing, you can bet on the winners of events and props. Boxing betting has seen a surge in popularity with the abundance of celebrity matchups.

MMA

MMA betting sites are also available in WV. However, if you’re looking for the best UFC betting sites, DraftKings is a great place to start with its variety of prop bets available for each matchup.

Horse Betting

Horse betting is available in WV. It became legal by the Racing Commission in 1931. Pari-mutuel wageing became available in 1933.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily Fantasy Sports can be played in West Virginia. They were given the green light in 2016 by the attorney general.

Soccer

Soccer betting sites can be played in WV. Most online sportsbooks in the state offer markets on the MLS and numerous international leagues. You can bet on moneylines and numerous props.

Tennis

Tennis betting in WV allow you to bet on match and tournament winners but also offer a fantastic array of live micro betting opportunities, including the result of the next serve.

College Sports Betting in West Virginia

In West Virginia, you cannot wager on college player props. All other forms of college sports betting are allowed, though.

Prohibited Sports Betting in West Virginia

You cannot bet on high school sports, politics, and college player props in WV.

Professional Sports Teams in Virginia

There are no professional sports teams in Virginia.

College Sports Teams in Virginia

West Virginia Mountaineers

A member of the Big 12 Conference, West Virginia’s football team has a 769-514-45 lifetime record. They’ve won just one national title, which came in 1922. They’ve won 15 conference championships and have had many excellent players come through, including Pat McAfee, Marc Bulger, Steve Slaton, and Pat White.  

Marshall Thundering Herd

The Marshall Thunder Herd is most known for its football team. The most notable players to suit up for them were long-time NFL wide receiver and Hall of Famer Randy Moss. They won two national titles at the FCS level in 1992 and 1996.

DFS has been allowed since 2016. There’s never been an official legalization process, but the attorney general gave it the green light.

Yes. Horse racing betting is legal in West Virginia. To wager, you must be at least 18. West Virginia is also home to some of the last remaining greyhound tracks in the United States. There are a few Grade 2 and Grade 3 races each year, including the Charles Town Classic with a $1,000,000 purse.

• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races: On-site, Hollywood Casino has a Penn National Gaming sportsbook. It’s currently Barstool Sportsbook, but with the rebranding coming on November 14 to ESPN Bet, it’s unclear if that will change, too. There, you’ll find high-top table seating with 80-inch TVs and more.
• The Casino Club at the Greenbrier: Located in White Sulphur Springs, The Casino Club at the Greenbrier has a FanDuel Sportsbook on site. There, you’ll find 21 big-screen televisions. There are dining options and live entertainment available. There’s a dress code after 7 pm.
• Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort: Located in New Cumberland, Mountaineer Casino has a Caesars Sportsbook with a Vegas-like experience. There’s plenty of seating and televisions to capture all of the sports action.
• Mardi Gras Casino and Resort: The sportsbook on-site at Mardi Gras is operated by IGT. Mardi Gras Casino and Resort is located in Cross Lanes, and there’s a full bar on-site for patrons to enjoy.
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack: Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is located in Wheeling and is also operated by IGT. A multi-screen video wall allows patrons to access cocktails and beer. There are kiosks on-site to play bets, too.

Near West Virginia, four legal sports betting states exist, including Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Kentucky Sports Betting

Kentucky sports betting launched in September 2023, with the month bringing retail and online sports betting to the state. Retail betting was launched three weeks prior, and online betting happened just a few weeks into the 2023-24 NFL season.  

Ohio Sports Betting

Ohio sports betting was legal for over a year before officially launching on January 1, 2023. There are numerous online sportsbooks in the state, many of which are also in West Virginia.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting

Pennsylvania sports betting was similar to West Virginia in that they passed laws before PASPA was overturned. The first PA online sportsbooks to go live came in May 2019, with PlaySugarHouse being the first.

Virginia Sports Betting

Virginia sports betting was passed in March 2020 when the General Assembly passed SB 384 and HB 896. The Governor amended the bills, and within weeks, they were signed, and legalized, and sports betting launched just months after that.

Yes, West Virginia casino gambling online is legal and up and running. The state has seven online casinos, including DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, FanDuel, and Golden Nugget. The first site to launch was DraftKings on July 15, 2020. Online casino play became legal in the state on March 27, 2019.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Journalism, Richard Janvrin has been covering iGaming and sports betting since December 2018. His first freelance writing opportunity was with Gambling.com. Since then, Richard has covered sports and iGaming for notable outlets such as Bleacher Report, Forbes.