West Virginia has shown that it’s ready to become a leader in the online gaming space. A key element of this push is West Virginia online sports betting, which is ready to compete.

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West Virginia Online Sports Betting West Virginia was one of the first US states to legalize sports betting, proactively passing a bill while the federal ban was still on the books. With bipartisan support in the legislature, the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act (S 415) became law in March 2018 without a signature from Gov. The West Virginia online sports betting markets still cover all national sports, such as the NFL. Live betting is also available in most places, including casinos. WV sports betting brought the action to less commonly played sports as well. The state has noteworthy activities to put money on, including motocross and monster truck races. WV Online Sports Betting West Virginia was one of the earliest states into sports betting. In August 2018, it became the fifth state to legalize sports gambling and the third to approve online betting. FanDuel quickly took advantage of this opportunity by launching a WV online sportsbook in August 2019. West Virginia officially has sports betting, including online wagering, in 2020. FanDuel Sportsbook is live with its sports betting app in West Virginia as of August 2019. DraftKings Sportsbook joined FanDuel a few days later and is live as well, giving West Virginians access to two of the most popular sportsbooks outside of Nevada.

The state legalized sports betting soon after the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting. Just one year ago, the Mountain State took it a step further and legalized online gaming and poker as well.

Though West Virginia gamblers may have to wait for regulations to enjoy other forms of online gaming, sports betting is legal and live in the state. Players can enjoy a variety of sports betting options both online and in-person. Three online sportsbooks have already launched in West Virginia, and more are expected in the coming months.

West Virginia Online Sportsbooks At A Glance

Here’s a quick overview of the online sportsbooks currently available in West Virginia.

FanDuel

FanDuel is partnered with The Casino Club at the Greenbrier property. The company operates the Greenbrier’s retail sportsbook in addition to its online sports betting site.

FanDuel makes it easy to place a sports bet. The app is available for West Virginia bettors on iOS and Android. You can also head to FanDuel’s website to get started.

DraftKings

The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has a sportsbook operated by Penn National Gaming. For the property’s online sportsbook, Penn partnered with DraftKings.

West Virginians can download the DraftKings app on iOS or Android or just head to the website on a desktop device.

BetMGM

MGM is well-known for its casino properties around the world. In the US, the company is carving out a space for itself as a sports betting leader, too. In West Virginia, MGM is partnered with The Greenbrier to offer online sports betting.

Android, iOS, and desktop users will have no trouble accessing BetMGM’s sportsbook in West Virginia. All methods are available to players in the state.

Online Sports Betting Sites Expected In West Virginia

Even though only three online sportsbooks are live in West Virginia, there will probably be many more in the near- to mid-future. Below are a few operators that are most likely to offer online sportsbooks in The Mountain State.

William Hill

William Hill operates the retail sportsbook at West Virginia’s Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino Resort property. Though the Mountaineer doesn’t have an online sportsbook yet, it’s likely William Hill will provide the technology if and when the property launches one.

FOX Bet

FOX Bet, owned by The Stars Group, is not a company to sit back in any legalized state. It’s almost a guarantee that FOX Bet will launch an online sportsbook in West Virginia. However, there are no key partnerships that indicate exactly when or with which land-based property they may launch.

The Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino seemed a solid contender for FOX Bet’s land-based partner last year. Mountaineer was owned by Eldorado Resorts, which plans to merge with Caesars. Caesars’ FOX Bet partnership made that a likely launch scenario for West Virginia. But in 2019, Century Casinos and VICI Properties bought Mountaineer from Eldorado. William Hill now operates the property’s retail sportsbook.

Essentially, FOX Bet’s future in West Virginia is unclear, but don’t be surprised if the company enters the market with an online sportsbook soon.

See our comprehensive Guide To Online Gambling In West Virginia.

West Virginia Online Sports Betting Bonuses

Online sportsbooks have every reason to offer bonuses to new players. In states like West Virginia where competition is tight, this is especially true. Sports betting sites will usually have a number of bonuses available that will help you maximize the value of your wallet and get the most out of your sportsbook experience.

In some cases, online sportsbook operators will offer a combination of promotions that allow you to earn even more bonus money when you sign up. Keep an eye out for multiple offers and check whether you can combine them. Below you’ll find a list of common bonuses you may find at West Virginia’s online sportsbooks.

Deposit Match

Of all bonus types, deposit matches are the ones you’re most likely to encounter at West Virginia’s online sportsbooks.

Deposit matches are simple in theory: you deposit an amount into your account, let’s say $100. The operator then matches that amount, so now you have $200.

There are a few things to be aware of, though. First, many of these bonuses only apply to your initial deposit, so any future deposits won’t net you the reward. Second, you usually have to claim the bonus (by making a deposit) within a pre-set time window. Normally, this can fall anywhere between 7 and 30 days from the date you create your account. Finally, there’s almost always a cap to the amount the operator will match. For many sports betting sites, this is $500. DraftKings offers this bonus and limits your match to $500.

Risk-Free Bets

Risk-free bets (sometimes called “lossback” bets) give you a safety net for your first bet. Once you sign up, make a deposit, and place a bet, your offer kicks in. If that first bet loses, your account is credited with the amount you wagered. If your bet wins, the offer expires.

Risk-free bets are capped and sometimes have time limits attached, much like deposit match bonuses. FanDuel offers a risk-free bet up to $500 for West Virginia players.

Some operators take it a step further and offer two risk-free bets. As always, carefully check the terms and conditions to ensure you get the best offer available.

No Deposit Bonus

No deposit bonuses can take a few formats, but they usually grant you a small amount of money when you sign up to kickstart your betting account. Some operators grant you the money via an account credit, typically around $25.

Available Sports At West Virginia’s Online Sportsbooks

West Virginia Sports Betting 2021 Online WV Sportsbooks Apps

The Supreme Court decision that declared the Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act unconstitutional put sports betting in the hands of individual states. As a result, the US has a wide variety of sports betting legislation. The laws surrounding sports betting often dictate which sports you can wager on, and West Virginia is no different.

West Virginia is different, however, because its laws only include very specific and granular prohibitions. With the exception of high school matches, virtually no sports are off-limits for West Virginia sports betting enthusiasts.

Betting On Professional Sports In West Virginia

West Virginia’s sports betting sites offer a plethora of professional sports wagers. Players will have absolutely no trouble finding bets on the most popular American sports. The MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA Tour, and many others are available. Even without a professional sports team in the state, bettors in the Mountain State have plenty to bet on.

Betting operators see massive participation in each sport’s respective championship. The World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, and other major events draw big betting numbers plus tons of diverse wagering options. If you’re a sports fan in West Virginia, you‘ll always find something interesting to bet on when it comes to professional sports.

College Sports Betting

College sports betting is prohibited by some states and carefully regulated by others. For example, Illinois only allows bets on college sports if they 1) don’t involve an in-state college, and 2) don’t take place within the state. West Virginia, though, allows college sports betting across the board.

West Virginia has a very active college sports fandom, so sports betting enthusiasts looking to place wagers on college teams like WVU can do so quite easily.

National Collegiate Athletic Association matches are all fair game in West Virginia. March Madness and the college football championship undoubtedly bring in plenty of bets both online and at retail sportsbooks in West Virginia.

International Sports

Outside of the popular US sports scene, West Virginia sportsbooks provide plenty of opportunities for betting on international sports.

The options are nearly limitless, but some of the most popular international sports you can find on West Virginia’s sports betting sites include cricket, soccer, tennis, darts, table tennis, and others.

Esports Betting In West Virginia

Like college sports, esports represent a contentious legislative area for sportsbooks. It’s pretty much luck of the draw whether your state allows esports betting. For West Virginians, esports betting is allowed by law with only minimal restrictions.

Esports wagering is allowed in West Virginia as long as all competitors in the match are above 18 years old. Of course, esports is an industry that is led by young players, so this may rule out a fair number of events. But there’s still plenty to enjoy for esports bettors, and West Virginia’s sportsbooks can offer these bets without issue.

Other West Virginia Betting Options

West Virginia sportsbooks have huge bet portfolios that extend beyond what many would label “typical” sports.

In The Mountain State, you’ll find UFC, boxing, NASCAR, and other sports.

Horse racing makes an appearance on some sports betting sites, especially for tentpole events like The Kentucky Derby. Of course, there are racing-specific betting sites like TwinSpires or TVG available in West Virginia if you’re looking for a racing-oriented experience.

Election betting remains a fuzzy area for West Virginia. While a few states allow the practice, West Virginia quickly flip-flopped on the issue when FanDuel started offering 2020 election bets. For now, it looks like elections and political wagers will stay out of reach for West Virginia bettors.

See our guide to 2020 Election Betting.

Popular Deposit Methods

West Virginia’s online sportsbooks make it incredibly easy to deposit funds and place a bet. Thanks to digital payment methods and online banking, funding your account only takes a few seconds.

Before you plan to use one of these methods, check to be sure your favorite sportsbook accepts it. Not every sportsbook is the same, though many provide most (if not all) of these options. Here are some of the most popular deposit methods available in West Virginia.

Credit And Debit Cards

Sportsbooks usually accept debit and credit cards. This deposit method is quite popular among bettors simply because so many people have a card accessible. Even though credit and debit cards are practically ubiquitous in the US, not every sportsbook accepts all cards. It’s worth checking the website of your preferred sportsbook before you head to the deposits page.

Prepaid Cards

If you’d prefer not to use a credit or debit card, prepaid cards might be the best option for you. You can load the card with however much money you’d like, then use it to fund your sportsbook account.

E-checks And Online Banking

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You can directly connect your bank account to your sportsbook account, making it easy to deposit funds through an e-check on an online banking transfer. Online banking tends to be the faster of these two options, but they’re both popular among sports bettors.

Online Payment Services

In the era of online commerce, services like PayPal and Skrill have gained tons of traction. The sports betting world has adopted these e-wallet services as well. PayPal is the most commonly accepted online service for sports betting deposits. You can connect your account and add funds to your West Virginia sports betting account with just a few clicks or taps.

Cash

You can deposit funds in cash by paying a visit to your online sportsbook’s land-based casino partner. Head to the property’s sportsbook counter or cashier to add cash to your account.

Biggest West Virginia Sportsbooks By Revenue

In the online space, it’s likely no surprise that West Virginia’s three sportsbooks are in tight competition with one another. FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings are the only online sports betting sites in the state.

It’s important to note here that BetMGM and FanDuel both operate as online skins of The Greenbrier’s sportsbook, so their revenue is combined into the property’s standing.

DraftKings, partnered with The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, is a leader in West Virginia. Its online revenue since launch is more than $1 million ahead of The Greenbrier, which includes both FanDuel and DraftKings.

The land-based side tells a similar story. Hollywood holds onto a significant lead compared to its competition. The Mountaineer Sportsbook and The Greenbrier Sportsbook join Hollywood on the podium in terms of retail revenue.

Despite the large disparity between Hollywood and DraftKings and the other West Virginia sports betting providers, performance in the state is historically strong. Casino closures in early-mid 2020 due to the Covid-19 crisis put a dent in retail revenue. But the two properties with online sportsbooks already in place were able to offset some retail losses thanks to online revenue. Still, even online sports betting struggled in light of sports league shutdowns.

What Do I Need To Sign Up For An Online Sportsbook In West Virginia?

Most sportsbooks will require nearly identical information when you sign up for an account. Have the following information ready when you sign up. You’ll need these for any of West Virginia’s online sportsbooks; FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Date of Birth
• Email (you will also create a username password)
• Social security number (to confirm your identity, most sportsbooks will ask for the last four digits)

You’ll also need to create a few security questions in case you ever need to recover your account.

If you have all of the information listed above, you can also prepare to make a deposit by having your payment method ready. Sportsbook sites will often take you directly to the deposit page right after you create and confirm your account.

Legal Online Sportsbooks Versus Illegal Online Sportsbooks: What To Know

Simply put, legal sportsbooks protect you and your information in ways that illegal, grey market, and offshore sites can’t.

It’s easy to find illegal sports betting sites with a quick online search, but they can be potentially harmful to sports bettors. And, quite frankly, they offer stale betting options compared to their fully regulated counterparts. There are some key differences that give regulated sportsbooks a leg up.

League Buy-In

Professional sports leagues will provide data to legal sportsbooks, giving those operators a viable avenue to offer live and in-play betting. This gives you as a bettor countless options for wagering. Offshore sites don’t (and legally can’t) have access to this data, so they won’t offer these types of bets.

Government Oversight

Legal US sportsbooks are all overseen by government entities. In West Virginia, the state lottery holds this responsibility. Government oversight means that sportsbooks must adhere to strict laws set forth by state legislators, undergo a rigorous licensing process, and regularly renew their permits. If they don’t, they simply can’t operate lawfully and risk being shut down.

Grey market sites are only required to follow the laws of countries where they operate. Sometimes, this means there are no laws at all dictating a sportsbook’s operations. You’re far safer using a regulated sportsbook than an offshore option.

West Virginia Online Sports Betting FAQ

21+. Anyone 21 or older can participate in online sports betting in West Virginia.

When you sign up for an account, you’ll be required to submit your date of birth and social security number to verify your age.

Other forms of gambling like pari-mutuel wagering and lottery games are open to younger players in West Virginia. Anyone 18 or above can bet on horses online or play the lottery in the state.

Legal online sports betting is also legal in nearby Virginia but has yet to launch. Bettors there will also need to be 21 to place a bet.

Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook is live in West Virginia and is currently one of the top sites for sports betting in the state.

DraftKings is partnered with West Virginia’s Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

The site offers plenty of bonuses and promotions for West Virginia players, making it an excellent option for first-time sports bettors.

Yes. FanDuel has an online sportsbook live in West Virginia as part of its partnership with The Greenbrier. You can easily access FanDuel’s app on the iOS app store or, for Android users, FanDuel’s website.

The Greenbrier, FanDuel’s land-based partner, has also partnered with BetMGM for an online sportsbook. Both online sports betting sites are live in West Virginia.

No. To place a bet at a West Virginia sportsbook, you need to have the full amount of your bet in your account at the time of the transaction.

West Virginia Online Sports Betting Sites

Some sportsbooks in the state do accept credit cards as a deposit method.

Yes. Some states restrict college sports betting in various ways, but West Virginia has no such restrictions. You can bet on NCAA matches, March Madness, the College Football Championship, and much more in West Virginia.

No. You can sign up fully online. Have your key information ready: name, address, birth date, phone number, email address, and social security number. You’ll create a username and password when you sign up as well.

Once you sign up, you can deposit and place a bet within a few easy steps. Keep an eye out for sign-up bonuses, too. Most sportsbooks offer lucrative promotions to new players.

West Virginia online sportsbooks attract new sports bettors and keep existing ones by providing bonus offers and promo codes. It is a great way of maximizing your sports betting bankroll and maximizing your investment when trying out a new sportsbook.

There are currently two online sports betting apps in West Virginia:

More News For West Virginia Online Sports Betting

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West Virginia Online Sports Betting - Best WV Online Sportsbooks

How sportsbook bonuses work

Most sign-up offers come in the form of matched deposit bonuses and free bets. The distinction between the two is blurry because the size of many free bets depends on the size of your initial payment.

Generally, a free bet allows you to place a risk-free wager and claim the winnings if it’s unsuccessful, while a matched bonus grants you a percentage of your deposit in promotional cash.

For example, if you claim a $20 free bet and place a bet at 1.50 odds (winning $30), in most cases, you will be awarded $10 (your winnings minus the initial stake). On the other hand, if you deposit $50 and claim a 50% deposit bonus, you will receive $25 that you can use on any number of bets.

Welcome promotions come with a limit on the amount you can claim. For example, if you deposit $250 and use the 50% bonus with a $100 cap, you will receive $100 in bonus money instead of $125.

Both free bets and matched bonuses tend to come with an expiry date, which means that you must meet the rollover requirements within a certain amount of time, typically between 10 and 30 days.

Rollover requirements

Rollover requirements determine how much money you need to bet before you’re allowed to withdraw your promotional winnings. They protect operators from bonus abuse, ensuring that the customers stick with the sportsbook instead of milking it for free cash.

For example, a $20 bonus with a standard 5x rollover requires you to bet at least $100 before requesting a cashout. In most cases, only the bonus itself is taken into account, but some sportsbooks apply this requirement to both the initial deposit and promotional cash.

This practice is frowned upon among bettors, and once you do the math, it’s easy to see why. A similar $20 bonus with a 50% match and 5x rollover would require you to wager 5x bonus $20 + 5x deposit $40 = $300.

While this rule isn’t set in stone, free bets tend to come with lower rollover requirements than standard deposit bonuses.

Read the fine print

The differences in rollover mentioned above aren’t the only reason you should always read the terms and conditions before claiming your bonus.

Some bonuses also carry odds-related requirements that force you to place the promotional bets on unfavorable markets. In rare cases, you might even be required to place an extremely risky bet using your own money to unlock your free bet, rendering the promotion useless for value-oriented bettors.

Remember that odds-related requirements shouldn’t always be considered a deal-breaker. If your operator requires you to take some risks but you have a reasonable chance to clear the promotional funds – go for it.

Finding a perfect promotion is nearly impossible. If the rollover is low, expect additional requirements – and vice-versa; if there are no odds-related requirements, the rollover is likely to be higher than average.

Bonus illustration

The William Hill US sign-up offer available to bettors in Nevada is an excellent example of a standard matched deposit bonus with no excessive requirements. To participate in this promotion, you need to create a new William Hill US account and deposit at least $50 to the site.

The bonus amount is always equivalent to 10% of the initial payment and comes with a $50 cap. This means that if you deposit $50, you’ll receive $5, $100 will net you $10, and so on. However, if you deposit $501 or more, you’ll only receive $50 in promotional cash.

The terms and conditions of the bonus state that it is transferred to your account as soon as you play through the initial deposit at least once. This requirement must be met within 90 days – otherwise, the entire bonus expires.

Despite the low match, this bonus is guaranteed to be useful to casual bettors because it is compatible with all kinds of betting strategies – William Hill doesn’t force you to select any specific markets or bet types.

The 1x rollover gives you some extra bang for your buck even if you get extremely unlucky and lose your entire deposit without winning any bets.

Getting the most value out of a bonus

If you’re looking for maximum value, start by checking the odds-related requirements and rollover requirements of the bonuses available to you.

Focus on the offers that allow you to place safe bets and minimize the risk factor – remember that your goal should be to clear the promotional funds for withdrawal; not to turn a long-term profit.

Playing it safe also means that you should forget about parlays – instead, play it straight for a while.

Generally, a 10% bonus with a 1x wagering requirement is better than a 30% bonus with a 5x rollover. The grind your deposit is likely to go through outweighs the benefits of receiving an extra 20% in promotional cash – unless you’re among the experienced bettors who win more than 50% of their wagers.

The rule of thumb for inexperienced bettors is to always go for the easy money.

West Virginia market snapshot

There are no licensed online sportsbooks available in West Virginia as of now. However, the operators eyeing this market are unlikely to assume a different approach than in the other iGaming-friendly states, such as Nevada or New Jersey.

This means that the value of the bonuses that will be initially available to West Virginia residents is likely to be similar to the value of the William Hill US sign-up offer discussed above.

However, as more and more companies enter the market, West Virginia sportsbooks are almost guaranteed to step up their bonus game. This mechanism could be observed on all fenced iGaming markets, and one of the most recent examples is the rivalry between poker and casino sites in New Jersey.

Unfortunately, this process usually takes some time, so don’t expect anything outstanding in the first year or two.