West Virginia Sports Betting Bill Tracker
West Virginia sports betting was at the forefront of widespread regulation in the US, with the activity becoming legal in March 2018. It was one of the few states that enacted a sports betting law ahead of the Supreme Court decision on the New Jersey sports betting case, which ultimately lifted the nationwide ban on sports gambling. Policymakers have authorized the West Virginia Lottery to oversee the industry’s licensing, taxation, and other regulatory functions. There are five gaming facilities in the state, all of which have applied for a WV sports betting license.
When West Virginia sports betting initially became legal, there was tension between Governor Jim Justice and lawmakers regarding integrity fees. Justice supported working directly with the leagues and meeting compensation requests, while officials were generally against covering any fees. The final WV sports betting rules did not include any language requiring operators to pay sports leagues and most states are continuing this trend in their efforts.
Though West Virginia sports betting is now 100% legal, learning more about the actual law is beneficial. You can use our West Virginia sports betting bill tracker to get the latest on the legislative climate in West Virginia.
Current West Virginia Sports Betting Laws
Sponsor: Ryan Ferns (R - Majority)
Summary: Authorizes the State Lottery Commission to regulate sports wagering when allowed by federal law. The bill would allow up to five licenses, with a $100,000 application fee. Also allows mobile sports wagering through the licensees. Imposes a tax of 10% of adjusted gross wagering receipts.
Excerpt: “An act to amend the Code of West Virginia… to permitting wagering on the results of certain professional or collegiate sports or athletic events and other events authorized as West Virginia Lottery sports wagering activities, after a federal law against such wagering is no longer in effect.”
Actions:
- 03/10/18 - (H) Became law without Governor's signature
- 03/03/18 - (S) To Governor 3/3/18
- 03/02/18 - (H) Passed House (Roll No. 285)
- 02/20/18 - (S) Passed Senate (Roll No. 154)
- 01/29/18 - (S) Filed for introduction
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West Virginia Sports Betting Bill FAQ’s
Is Sports Betting Legal In WV?
Yes, sports betting is legal in West Virginia and has been since March 2018. WV preemptively passed a sports betting bill prior to the May 14th, 2018 decision that ended the 25-year ban on sports betting. The state first began to accept wagers in August 2018, with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town taking its first bet on Aug. 30. The state allows for mobile betting but residents may be within West Virginia state lines to be in accordance with federal laws. There is not much growth that can happen in West Virginia, as the industry has been a success, bringing in over $7.5 million dollars of revenue since the launch.
Where Can I Bet On Sports In West Virginia?
Currently, there are five operators that are offering sports betting in West Virginia. The state issued licensed to any casino or racetrack that applied and all of these locations are set up with mobile wagering, providing a safe and legal opportunity to play the odds. Here are all of the West Virginia casinos where sports fans are able to play:
- Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races (Ranson)
- Mardi Gras Casino (Cross Lanes)
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort (New Cumberland)
- The Casino Club at the Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs)
- Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack (Wheeling)
What Sports Can I Bet On In West Virginia?
West Virginia is one of the few states that allow bettors to wager without restrictions. This means that you can bet on any professional or collegiate team, even those based in West Virginia. Some of the most popular sports to bet on in W.V. include football, basketball, soccer, baseball, MMA, tennis, hockey, and more. The books even take futures bet like who will win the World Cup, Australian Open, or Wimbledon? The list is so long that there are even betting odds on e-sports.
Who Can Bet On Sports In West Virginia?
The legal West Virginia sports betting age is 21 years old. As long as you are of age, you will be able to enter local sportsbooks. This is the same as the general gambling age and also applies to online sports betting in WV. We advise anyone underage to refrain from getting a part of the action too soon as underage gambling is taken very seriously in WV. You will be hit with a fine and/or jail time depending on the circumstances.
Will Mobile Wagering Be Legal In West Virginia?
Yes, mobile wagering is another option for legal sports betting in West Virginia. Licensed casinos are able to offer their own sports betting apps to patrons. WV SB 415 authorizes any license holder to permit “sports wagering at locations and any mobile application or other digital platforms approved by the commission.” In the meantime, many residents continue to use the mobile sports betting apps provided by offshore sites like BetOnline.ag and SportsBetting.ag as their odds and promotions can sometimes outweigh their state-run counterparts.