West Virginia Sports Betting: Best West Virginia Sportsbooks December 2024

Closer Look at the Best Online Sportsbooks in West Virginia

Is Sports Betting Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Virginia as of March 2018, when the West Virginia Sports Lottery Wagering Act was passed. The state anticipated the overturning of PASPA, laying the legal groundwork so that they could quickly introduce retail and online betting when the opportunity presented itself. The state has five licensed casinos and racetracks, each of which is allowed to accommodate up to three sportsbook skins. In 2019, HB 2934 was signed into law, making West Virginia the fourth state to legalize online casino games and poker. 

In September 2018, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town was the first sports betting venue to open in the state, while the first online sportsbook went live in December 2019 with the launch of BetLucky. However, online sports betting witnessed a halt when BetLucky ceased operations in March 2019. After six months, this changed as FanDuel and DraftKings entered the WV market, reviving the online sports betting scene. 

How to Get Started Betting in West Virginia

It is easy to get started on a WV sportsbook and place your first bet. If you are a beginner, we have provided a step-by-step guide for you to follow:

1. Select a licensed sportsbook. Firstly, it is essential that your chosen sportsbook holds a valid license from the regulatory body of West Virginia. This confirms that the platform is legitimate and protects your personal and financial information. All the books recommended on this page are fully licensed and legal for WV bettors.

2. Register your account. When signing up, you will be asked for certain information like your name, email, date of birth, and address. You will also have to create a password for your account.

3. Verify your identity. Some platforms will need you to confirm your identity by submitting documentation such as ID, passport, or proof of address. This is a legal requirement for all regulated sportsbooks.

4. Claim your welcome offer. Next, you can make the most of the welcome bonus. As an introduction to the platform, they tend to be the most generous promos you can get. It is important to always be aware of the T&Cs, and to check if you need to opt-in or use a promo code. 

5. Deposit money. Find the cashier section, where you will have to deposit some funds to place your first bet. Certain welcome bonuses will require a qualifying deposit and wager. 

6. Place your first bet. Next, you can explore the sports and betting markets available. Select your preferred option to add it to your betslip, type in your stake and click the button to confirm your bet.

7. Withdraw your winnings. Finally, if you are successful, you can enjoy your winnings. Fees, limits, and processing time are different depending on your selected sportsbook.

West Virginia Sportsbook Bonuses

Sportsbooks in WV have a variety of bonuses that are designed to attract and keep bettors on their platform. Welcome bonuses are the stars of the show, as a way of appealing to new users. Before claiming any bonus, it is important to thoroughly read and understand the T&Cs. 

Here are a few of the most common welcome bonuses that you might come across:

Bonus Bets

A bonus bet is simply a kind of betting voucher that is provided by the sportsbook. It is a common welcome offer with several sportsbooks offering bonus bets in exchange for registering and making a qualifying wager. Often, the qualifying wager is on the small side, so it is great for those who are not looking to risk a lot of money.

Second Chance Bets

A second chance bet provides you with a safety net, as the sportsbook will refund you some or all of your initial wager. If you lose your bet, then you will be reimbursed in bonus bets up to a specified limit. If this sounds appealing, then it is worth checking out Caesars’ welcome offer of a second chance bet up to $1,000.

Deposit Match Bonuses

With this bonus, the sportsbook will match a certain percentage or all of your deposit up to a limit. Essentially, the more that you deposit, the more you can benefit from this kind of offer. The matched portion is in bonus bets or sight credit, so you can’t just withdraw it right away. 

No-Deposit Bonuses

A no-deposit bonus is entirely free, there is no deposit or wager required from you. All you have to do is sign up to claim the bonus bets, which tend to be a smaller amount ranging from $10 to $20.

Which Sportsbooks Apps Are Available in West Virginia?

In today’s digital age, the way that we interact with online platforms such as sports betting sites has transformed due to mobile devices. Bettors now lean heavily towards the convenience of accessing sportsbooks on their phones. This shift has clearly influenced the betting landscape, pushing platforms to up their game and provide top mobile compatibility. 

All of our recommended sportsbooks have highly-rated mobile apps:

1. FanDuel - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.7/5 (Android)

2. DraftKings - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)

3. BetMGM - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.3/5 (Android)

4. Caesars Sportsbook - 4.6/5 (iOS); 4.3/5 (Android)

What Can You Bet On in West Virginia?

West Virginia sportsbooks have a wide range of sports and betting markets to explore. The availability of specific markets varies among the different platforms, but our recommended sportsbooks have the most extensive options. We have outlined the most common types of bets below: 

Moneyline

For this popular bet, you simply place a wager on the team or individual that you think will win the game. The payout is based on the odds established by the sportsbook. Positive odds show a lower likelihood of winning, while negative odds indicate the favorite to win. Here is an example:

• Brooklyn Nets (+130)

• Cleveland Cavaliers (-155)

The Cavaliers are the favorite here. You would need to make a bet of $155 to win $100. Your total payout would be $255. Whereas for the BKN Nets, you would have to make a wager of $100 to win $130, for a total payout of $230.

Point Spreads

A point-spread bet involves wagering on the margin of victory rather than the outcome of the game. The sportsbook sets a point spread that one team must surpass for the bet to win. Essentially, it creates a balanced betting situation, especially for teams with different skill levels. It can look like this:

• Brooklyn Nets +3.5 (-110)

• Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)

Here, the Cavaliers would have to win by 4 points or more for your bet to be successful. While the Nets would just need to avoid losing by 4 points or win the game. For each side, the typical odds are around -110 for point spread bets.

Totals

In a total bet, you predict whether the combined final score of both teams will be over or under a specified amount that is set by the sportsbook. For this reason, it is also known as an Over/Under bet. Take a look at this example:

Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

• Over 226.5 (-110)

• Under 226.5 (-110)

The odds for each side are usually around -110, similar to a point spread bet.

Futures

A futures bet is when you predict the outcome of a future event in advance, such as a major league championship. For example, if you think that the Cincinnati Bengals will win the Super Bowl then you can make a futures bet before the season has even started. You can place futures at any point throughout the season, but you tend to get better odds the earlier you bet. 

Prop Bets

Prop bets focus on specific events within a game that are not necessarily related to the final outcome. They can cover a range of scenarios, but the most popular props involve individual player performance in certain statistical categories, or the performance of the team as a whole. For instance, in basketball, popular props include the number of assists, rebounds, or three-pointers. In football, it can mean passing yards, touchdowns, or longest kicked field goals.

Parlays

A parlay combines multiple individual bets on a single ticket. Bettors must be successful in all the individual bets for the parlay to win. While offering higher payouts, it does come with a greater risk. Teaser bets allow you to adjust point spreads or totals in the parlay but offer a lower potential payout. 

Live Betting

Live betting, or in-play betting, is when you place wagers on a sporting event while it is still happening. Unlike traditional betting where bets are placed before the event begins, live betting allows you to wager as you watch. The odds are continuously updated based on how the game is panning out. Common wagers include predicting the next team to score or the total number of points scored by the end of the game. Our recommended sportsbooks all have excellent live betting sections.

Betting Restrictions in West Virginia

Sports betting in West Virginia  is subject to the following restrictions:

• It is not allowed to wager on high school sports.

• You cannot bet on entertainment or political events.

College Sports Betting in West Virginia

Betting on college sports is legal in West Virginia. You can bet on in-state and out-of-state college teams, there are no restrictions on player prop bets or live betting.

The list of NCAA Division 1 College Programs:

• Marshall Thundering Herd

• West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia Sports Betting Facts

How Does West Virginia Online Sports Betting Compare to Other States?

Compared to other US states, West Virginia ranks quite low, with a total sports betting handle of $2.2 billion. However, it must be taken into account that the state is 40th in terms of population with just 1.8 million residents. 

West Virginia’s hiatus in online sports betting makes the state difficult to compare to others. Rhode Island is probably the best point of comparison, because it legalized online sportsbooks in the same year and has a population of around 1 million. It is just below West Virginia, with a total handle of 1.8 billion. Thus, WV’s total handle is more or less on track for its population size.

West Virginia has a flat tax rate at 10%, which is lower than other states. For example, New York has a tax rate of 51%, Pennsylvania has 36%, and Tennessee has 20%. Although, it is not as low as states like Michigan with 8% and Nevada’s 6.75%. Unlike other states, you can bet on esports and there are no restrictions on college sports betting in West Virginia.

West Virginia Sports Betting Updates

In March 2018, West Virginia was one of the first states to legalize sports betting even before PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court. As the year progressed, retail locations began opening and, by the end of the year, online sports betting went live.

Below, we have provided a comprehensive timeline of key events in West Virginia sports betting:

• Aug. 5, 2024 - Oddin.gg secured a temporary sports betting license, enabling the operator to provide esports betting odds within the state.

• July 3, 2024 - West Virginia issues a cease-and-desist order to Bovada over unlicensed sports betting within the state, becoming the fourth state to do so.

• Mary 11, 2024 - Sports betting in West Virginia has seemingly gotten off on the right foot in 2024. Brands operating in the state earned just over $6 million in revenue, a rise of almost 13% from 2023.

• May 6, 2024 - West Virginia's handle drops 34% month-over-month in April. 

• April 25, 2024 - WV sports betting handle rose to $47.2 million in March, up 20.4% from February and 3.7% year-over-year.

• March 15, 2024 - A proposed WV sports betting house bill 4700 would allow the West Virginia Lottery Commission to ban people who harass athletes, officials, or coaches from betting on sports.

• Feb. 6, 2024 - West Virginia sportsbooks revenue grew by 65% YoY in January, reaching $6 million for the month.

• Jan. 30, 2023 - West Virginia sports betting drops to $54 million in December from $56.4 million in November.

• Jan. 25, 2024 - Atlanta-based PrizePicks adds a new peer-to-peer game, PrizePicks Arena, to West Virginia and three other states.

• Nov. 16, 2023 - Fanatics Sportsbook launches in the state.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, DFS is legal in West Virginia which was confirmed in a statement by WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in 2016. You can find DFS platforms on FanDuel and DraftKings. 

Sports Teams in West Virginia

West Virginia does not have any major league teams. However, you can find passionate fans of college sports as well as teams from neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

West Virginia Sportsbook Partnerships

Since West Virginia has no major league teams, there are not any sportsbook partnerships with pro teams.

How We Rated the Top West Virginia Sports Betting Sites

Our process relies on the key principle of hands-on experience. We dive right into it by thoroughly testing out each platform. By undertaking this approach, we ensure that our reviews are reliable and personal by capturing the user’s perspective. Everything in our reviews comes from our own research and experience, not from third party pages or just regurgitating the sportsbook’s advertisements.

Our experts are required to commit a minimum of 2 hours to each of these six key areas:

1. User Experience: We go through the registration process, then we explore the site to assess its functionality and overall design. It is important that a sportsbook be attractive, intuitive, and user-friendly. We test this on both desktop and mobile for a uniform experience. 

2. Features: We navigate the sports and betting markets, looking at whether there are a variety of popular and niche options. We like to see unique features such as DFS platforms, live streaming and betting, picking services, and early cash-out.

3. Promotions: We claim any available bonuses to gauge how they work, seeing how valuable and fair they are. We also carefully read the T&Cs to make sure that there is nothing hidden in the fine print. We have a lot of time for platforms with generous bonuses, loyalty schemes, and regular promotions, and we go through the opt-in process with each one.

4. Deposits and Withdrawals: We test out the payment methods on offer to see how fast the processing time is and if there are any limits or fees attached. We follow the process for every single method from start to finish, for both deposits and withdrawals. We appreciate a variety of methods, such as e-wallets, credit/debit cards, and bank transfers.

5. Customer Support: We contact sportsbook customer support to see how responsive and helpful they are. This involves sending email, using the live chat, and calling their number. We also value a detailed and informative FAQ section.

6. Responsible Gambling: We have high regard for sportsbooks that advocate for users to practice responsible gambling through links, guides, or contact numbers, as well as in-house tools like daily limits, session reminders, or self-exclusion options.

Our process extends beyond this, as we have a team of post-publication editors that dedicate 5 hours per month to ensuring that our reviews remain up-to-date.   

Why You Should Trust Us

At WSN, we are dedicated to being an authentic and trustworthy guide for sports betting. We don’t just skim the surface. We delve into each platform to ensure our opinions on their performance are as genuine as they can be. 

We have been part of the betting industry since the very beginning. Our expertise comes from years of active involvement and continuous learning. We’ve seen it all, so we know exactly what makes a good sportsbook.

Ultimately, our mission is to provide you with the knowledge to make informed betting decisions.

Getting Help: Responsible Gambling in West Virginia

The West Virginia Lottery is the regulatory body that oversees legal sports betting in West Virginia. The WVL collaborates with various organizations to advocate for responsible gambling in the state, like the Compulsive Gambling Treatment Fund. On the WVL site, you can find a link to 1800 Gambler, which is a nationwide organization. Here, you can find several helpful resources, links, and guides on problem gambling. You can also directly contact support through online chat, text, email and call.

Sportsbooks in West Virginia also have specific tools to help manage betting:

• Deposit/wager limits - Sets a predetermined amount so that you control your spending.

• Time alerts - Provides notifications to keep you aware of the time spent on betting.

• Self-exclusion - Stops you from accessing a platform for a certain period or indefinitely.