Looking for the best online casino sites in West Virginia? Browse the list with this guide, which also covers casino bonuses, banking methods, and much more.
West Virginia online gambling is alive and kicking. The first sites launched back in 2020, heralding a new era for fans of slots, roulette, blackjack, and other casino classics. Wondering where to start with online casinos in the state? We’ve packed this guide with need-to-know information covering everything from legal online casinos and how to spot them, to withdrawals, gaming options, and all the additional information you’ll need. You can use this to find your perfect place to play.
Are online casinos legal in West Virginia?
Yes. Regulated casino sites launched in the Mountain State in July 2020, almost 18 months after the WV Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (HB 2934) passed into law in March 2019. The West Virginia Lottery is responsible for issuing operator licenses and regulating the state’s online casino sites, ensuring players can enjoy real money games via safe and fair platforms.
The WV Lottery also sets out rules for players, who must be at least 21 years old and be physically located inside West Virginia state lines to place legal wagers.
Why play at a licensed West Virginia online casino?
To secure and keep a valid operator license, online casinos must adhere to strict rules and regulations. The meticulous casino review process undertaken by the WV Lottery verifies the integrity of the gambling operators and checks that sites toe the line on several factors. These include hosting games that adhere to minimum industry standards, the provision of responsible gambling tools, and more.
The wide-ranging benefits afforded to players at licensed sites are why we will only ever recommend West Virginia online casinos that have the official WV Lottery seal of approval.
Why should I avoid offshore online casinos?
Some West Virginia players may be tempted to sign up to online casinos based outside the state. But this is something we’d absolutely advise against. Many offshore sites don’t carry licenses from reputable iGaming authorities, and you may fall foul of unfair games, paltry or non-existent customer support, and unscrupulous banking practices.
Since offshore sites are beyond the reach of West Virginia’s laws, pursuing any formal complaints may prove to be frustrating – or even impossible. All in all, it’s far safer to play at regulated and licensed casinos.
How to identify a legal online casino in West Virginia
We only feature legal West Virginia online gambling sites here at Gambling Spotlight. That means sites with a current license from the WV Lottery.
However, it’s good practice to confirm you are signing up at a legal online casino – so it doesn’t hurt to double-check. A glance at the casino’s homepage should be enough, as it will mention that it’s licensed. If you have any lingering doubts, you can contact WV Lottery customer service directly to confirm a licensed operator.
Which online casinos can West Virginia residents play at?
West Virginia law allows for a total of 15 online casinos – that’s three virtual skins for each of the five land-based casinos in the state. So far, only a small proportion of the allocated number of sites are live, so there’s plenty of room for other operators to jump on board.
In the meantime, here are the online casinos that are up and running in the Mountain State:
- DraftKings Casino
- BetMGM Casino
- BetRivers Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- Caesars Casino
- Golden Nugget
West Virginia’s land-based casinos
West Virginia has five land-based casinos, all of which are commercial. Four of the five are racinos with either greyhound racing or horse racing available on-site. The fifth WV casino, The Casino Club at the Greenbrier, is a private casino open only to resort members and hotel guests.
Casino | Address |
The Casino Club at The Greenbrier | 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 |
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort | 1420 Mountaineer Cir, New Cumberland, WV 26047 |
Mardi Gras Casino and Resort | 1 Greyhound Dr, Cross Lanes, WV 25313 |
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack | 1 S Stone St, Wheeling, WV 26003 |
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | 750 Hollywood Dr, Charles Town, WV 25414 |
How to play real money online casino games
Ready to play real money casino games online? Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Use this page to compare West Virginia online casinos and the welcome bonuses available from each. Click through to your preferred online casino site.
- We’ll direct you straight to the casino sign-up page. You will need to enter a few details, such as your name, address, email, and so on, and undergo some basic checks to verify your identity. Remember to enter the bonus code if one is required for the welcome offer.
- After opening your new online casino account – which should only take a few minutes – spend some time getting familiar with the site. You might start by checking out the responsible gambling tools or trying some of the free-play games. If you have a no deposit bonus, you can play real money games at this point.
- When you feel ready, head over to the cashier to make your first deposit. WV online casinos accept various payment methods, so you should have no problem finding one to suit. Remember that many welcome offers will require a minimum first deposit amount.
- Most of the payment options available to West Virginian players offer instant deposits, so you can start playing real money casino games online right away.
Which games can I play at West Virginia’s online casinos?
West Virginia online casinos offer an exciting line-up of real money games. Here’s a quick overview of what’s on the menu for players and what’s still to come:
Blackjack
Can you beat the dealer to 21? It’s one of the time-honored pursuits at casinos worldwide, and blackjack is widely available at WV online casinos. Thanks to random number generators (RNGs) and crisp graphics, you’ll enjoy a realistic and fair blackjack experience – and using basic strategy with single deck versions can reduce the house edge to just 0.15%!
Roulette
You can spin the iconic roulette wheel on all the iGaming platforms in West Virginia. Classic European, French, and American Roulette are widely available, just as you’d expect from any top land-based casino. What’s more, you can find exclusive titles at certain online sites – for example, BetMGM’s exciting Roulette Pro.
Slots
Online casinos in West Virginia come loaded with impressive selections of online slots from top software providers like NetEnt and Microgaming. Alongside popular titles like Starburst and Fruit Shop, players can also try their luck with progressive jackpot slot games such as Divine Fortune and Mercy of the Gods.
Baccarat
One of the most straightforward card games, baccarat is a popular pick with players worldwide – and West Virginia is no exception. There aren’t as many online baccarat variations as blackjack and roulette, but finding regular and high-stakes versions of the game shouldn’t prove tricky.
Craps
Typically taking up the liveliest spot on the casino floor, craps is one of those games that has yet to arrive for online players in West Virginia. Online craps games have been developed by some software providers, so we hope it won’t be long until this changes. In the meantime, you can play craps in person in all of the state’s land-based casinos.
Live dealer
There’s a certain magic that comes with having live casino games at your fingertips. After all, you get to interact with real dealers and croupiers on webcam, which is about as close to a land-based casino experience as you can get.
Unfortunately, West Virginian players will need to wait to get a slice of the action, as the state’s online casinos have yet to launch live dealer options. Hopefully, it won’t be long until they do.
Mobile casino apps in West Virginia
Mobile casino gambling is firmly on the agenda for online casino players in West Virginia. All the operators currently live in the state have mobile-optimized sites that offer seamless gameplay. What’s more, you can download mobile casino apps for Android and iOS.
Apps are ideal because they remove the need to open up your browser and navigate over to the casino’s URL whenever you want to play. Instead, you can simply tap through to the games on the app. You’ll also benefit from a generally faster, smoother interface, as well as push notifications that send the latest West Virginia casino bonuses directly to your home screen. Apps are available as a free download, so you can test them out with no financial commitment.
West Virginia online casino bonuses
There are often a few perks on offer when you sign up as a new player at a West Virginia online gambling site. Here’s a quick overview of the most common promotions:
Free spins
If you have a penchant for spinning the slots, then you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for free spins offers.
Simply put, these bonuses let you spin the reels of a slot for free, with the potential to make real money returns. Free spins are often provided in return for a minimum deposit, and they usually apply to a specific game, such as Play’n Go’s Book of Dead – always check the T&Cs to be sure.
First deposit bonuses
New players can often claim a first deposit bonus. These bonuses match your first real-money deposit with bonus funds, up to a stated percentage and value. For example, BetRivers offers a 100% match up to $250. DraftKings goes even further, equalling your first deposit with up to $2,000 in bonus funds.
No deposit bonuses
Some online casinos in West Virginia will give new players a bonus just for signing up – no deposit required. You may, for example, be handed a certain amount in play credits, or free spins.
A no deposit bonus is usually worth claiming as it gives you the chance to test out a site risk-free to see if it suits your style. However, it’s important to remember that wagering or playthrough requirements will generally apply.
Reload bonuses
Reload bonuses are amongst the most common West Virginia online casino promotions for existing customers. As the name suggests, these offers reward you for making a real money deposit into your account. You could find yourself in line for a matched deposit bonus or some free spins with this offer.
Bonus terms and conditions
While all this talk of bonuses can get players excited, remember that strings are almost always attached. Casino bonus terms and conditions often specify a minimum deposit in order to participate, and specific methods may render you ineligible for certain offers. There may also be a strict deadline by which you have to use the bonus before it expires.
Then there’s the thorny issue of wagering requirements. These tell you how many times you’ll need to bet your bonus – or your free spins winnings – before you’re able to cash out any returns as real money. The higher the wagering requirements, the more challenging it will be to access any potential bonus winnings.
Payment methods
One of the benefits of playing at a licensed online casino in West Virginia is that you’ll have access to various trusted banking options.
Not all online casinos accept every payment method, and some options are deposit-only. Withdrawal times can also vary, internal processing times meaning this can be the case even when using the same banking method at different sites.
Deposit
When you head to the cashier page of your favorite online casino in West Virginia, you’re likely to find many of the following payment methods are available.
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover)
- Prepaid Play+ cards
- Cash at the casino cage
- E-wallets
- PayNearMe
- ACH/eCheck
- Online bank transfer
Withdrawal
When it comes to withdrawing money from your account, there are fewer options compared to making a deposit. Here are some of the most prominent:
- Cash at the casino cage
- Play+ cards
- E-Wallets
- ACH/eCheck
- Check by mail
- Online bank transfer
History of gambling in West Virginia
The road to legal online gambling in West Virginia hasn’t been the shortest journey. Here are some of the important moments along the way.
1994 – Slot machines are legalized at racetracks in the state. This allowance will later be extended to include other venues, such as bars and restaurants.
2007 – Table games are legalized in West Virginia, allowing racetracks to function as full-fledged casinos.
2019 – Governor Jim Justice allows bill HB 2934 to pass without signing it. This new legislation legalizes online casinos in West Virginia.
2020 – DraftKings launches the first online casino in West Virginia on July 15th.
Problem gambling support in West Virginia
Online or in-person, gambling should be purely a source of entertainment. However, some players can find that the fun stops and gambling starts to cause problems, whether in terms of their financial situation, home life, or mental wellbeing.
If you’re facing difficulties with problem gambling, help is readily available. The organizations below are ready to provide advice, resources, and support to West Virginian gamblers:
The Problem Gambling Help Network of West Virginia
Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER
Email: jdaviswalton@firstchoiceservices.org
National Council on Problem Gambling
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Phone: 855-2CALLGA
Ready to play online casino games in West Virginia?
So, there you have it: everything you need to know about online casinos in West Virginia in one handy guide. If you feel ready to play, you can use this page to browse the best online casinos in the state, weigh up the welcome bonus offers, and click through to sign up to any site that catches your eye.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in West Virginia?
Yes, legal online casinos have been up and running in the Mountain State since summer 2020.
How do I know if I’m playing at a licensed West Virginia online casino?
The relevant information usually sits in the footer area of the homepage. Look for a license from the WV Lottery, which regulates the gambling industry in the state.
Will I be taxed for my casino gambling winnings?
Casino gambling winnings in the USA are subject to federal income tax. However, West Virginia does not apply a state tax to casino winnings.
What other forms of gambling are allowed in West Virginia?
In addition to online and in-person casino gambling, West Virginia permits real money retail and online sports betting, online poker, daily fantasy sports, and bingo. You can also wager on greyhound and horse racing, and play the West Virginia Lottery.
Do you need to be in West Virginia to play at a West Virginia online casino?
Yes, you’ll need to be inside West Virginia state lines to place bets on real money casino games. Online casinos use geolocation technology to ensure that only those who are physically in the state can play.
Are West Virginia online casino games fair?
Yes, all the games available on WV online casinos are subject to intensive testing both before and after their release. This testing confirms that game outcomes are fair and random and that actual payout rates line up with those advertised.
Which is the best online casino in West Virginia?
The best online casino in West Virginia for one player will not necessarily prove the top pick for another. For example, some will favor BetMGM because it offers a no deposit free play bonus to new members, while others may prefer the look and feel of FanDuel. You can decide for yourself by signing up to a few sites and feeling them out.
Are there any new online casinos in West Virginia?
The West Virginia online gambling market is still in its early stages, with plenty of scope for growth. One of the latest additions is Golden Nugget, which launched in September 2021. WynnBET is set to launch soon thanks to its partnership with Delaware North – which runs the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort.
References:
https://www.playwv.com/casinos/
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https://www.pennbets.com/west-virginia-prepares-gambling-expansion/
https://www.westvirginiagambling.info/casinos/
https://www.greenbrier.com/casino/games.aspx
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https://www.onlinepokerreport.com/us/wv/
https://www.1800gambler.net/contact
https://www.greenbrier.com/casino/games.aspx
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