Legal: Bet now

Best West Virginia Sportsbooks for Beginners & Experienced US Sports Bettors

West Virginia sports betting is legal and live online and at retail sportsbooks. There are eight active WV sportsbooks in the state, including BetRivers, Caesars, and BetMGM.

West Virginia was instrumental in pushing legal sports betting and was among the first to allow the practice in 2018. Years later, sports betting is a legal fixture in the state. 

This page provides the latest news on the West Virginia sports betting industry and a review of the state’s top sportsbook apps.

Written by

Brian Sausa

Last updated:

Fact checked by

Matthew Waters

As seen in

Top WV sports betting sites

1
Up to $1,500
In Bonus Bets
Top Features

  • Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*

  • *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

  • Use Bonus Code: PLAYLSR

BetMGM Sportsbook Review
Play Now
2
$100 Bonus
2nd Chance Bet
Top Features
  • Up to $100 in Bet Credits
  • ONLY 1x Play Through!
  • 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • Use Exclusive Affiliate Code: LSRRIV
BetRivers Sportsbook Review
Play Now
3
Bet $5
Get $250
In Bonus Bets
Top Features
  • Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins
  • Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
  • Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
FanDuel Sportsbook Review
Play Now
4
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings
On Next 10 Wagers
Top Features
  • Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
  • 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • Use Promo Code: LSRDYW
Caesars Sportsbook Review
Play Now
5
Up to $1,000
In No Sweat Bets
Top Features
  • Bet and Get up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets or Choose Your Own Offer
  • Earn FanCash & Spend it on Team Swag or More Bets
  • 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
Fanatics Sportsbook Review
PLAY NOW
6
Up to $1,250 Bonus
New User Bonus. T&Cs Apply.
Top Features

  • Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets

  • PLUS Get a $50 Bonus Bet on Deposit

  • PLUS up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus

  • Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

DraftKings Sportsbook Review
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Contents

What’s happening in WV sports betting right now

Sept. 27, 2024
WV sports betting handle was $28.4 million in August, up 18.8% from July.
Sept. 6, 2024
WV sports betting handle was $23.9 million in July, down 12.9% from June but up 7.1% year over year.
July 24, 2024
WV sports betting handle was $27.4 million in June, down 16.7% from May and up 16% year over year.
July 4, 2024
The West Virginia Lottery sent offshore betting site Bovada a cease and desist letter. West Virginia is the fourth state to take action against the sportsbook.
March 15, 2024
A proposed WV sports betting bill would allow the West Virginia Lottery Commission to ban people who harass athletes, officials, or coaches from betting on sports.

West Virginia sports betting snapshot

Is there online sports betting in West Virginia?Yes, there are eight active online sportsbooks in West Virginia.
What sportsbook apps can I use in West Virginia?DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Betly, Caesars, Fanatics, ESPN Bet, and BetRivers.
What sports are available for betting in West Virginia?There are no real restrictions on the sports that you can bet on in West Virginia aside from the standard ban on high school sports.
Who can place a sports bet in West Virginia?Anyone over the age of 21 and inside state lines can legally wager on sports. All WV sportsbook sites use geolocation software to verify your location.

Comparing the top sports betting apps in West Virginia

Depending on what you’re looking for, there likely is a sportsbook in West Virginia that will fit your needs. Here’s a brief rundown of the top apps offering the best sportsbook promos:

1. BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM Sportsbook is the sports betting arm of MGM Resorts, which owns a number of US casino locations. While the book is one of the best NFL betting sites, it also offers a comprehensive list of sports on which you can bet. It also allows an unusual amount of flexibility for open wagers through its “edit my bet” option. The app’s greatest asset — its long list of things you can bet on — is also its biggest curse because finding exactly what you’re looking for can be a pain.

2. BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers Sportsbook is the sportsbook app representing Rush Street Interactive. BetRivers is one of the best sites for bonuses and promotions, as there are odds boosts, rotating bonus offers, and a rewards program dedicated solely to sports bettors. However, the app itself is rather rudimentary (in the scope of sportsbook apps in the market) and clunky and needs an update to catch up with the group.

3. FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best sports betting apps in West Virginia or elsewhere. It offers the easiest and most intuitive app you’re likely to find, along with one of the best selections of same-game parlays. However, it has a few areas, like player props, where the navigation seems to stumble.

4. Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook represents Caesars Entertainment and offers various sports betting options. There are few types of wagers that you will not find here. The book also stands out for bonuses, promotions and loyalty options. However, Caesars Sportsbook is clunky in terms of navigation on its app. 

5. Fanatics Sportsbook

Partnered with Hollywood Casino in West Virginia, the new Fanatics Sportsbook is still working out some kinks with its platform. Functionality has sometimes been a problem for this app, interfering with the sports betting experience. Speed and betting limit issues have been among the more common complaints from customers.

Despite the early hiccups, the Fanatics Sportsbook app has some interesting features for new customers. The app has a good menu of betting options and the FanCash loyalty program, which lets users acquire extra funds they can use for bonus bets or merchandise from the Fanatics retail site.

6. DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the top sports betting apps in the country. One of the key features that stands out is its betting carousel, which offers a customized list of likely bets when you log in. One area for improvement, however, is its promotions for existing players who’ve used up the welcome bonus.

Getting started and the best WV sportsbook bonuses

Once you’ve created an account at an online sportsbook, you can download the app to use on your phone or tablet, make a deposit and start placing bets. However, as a new user, you can also benefit from the sportsbook’s welcome bonus. Here are some of the options in West Virginia:

  1. BetMGM bonus code: Bet $10, get $150 in bonus bets if you win. Use the code PLAYLSR.
  2. BetRivers bonus code: Second-chance bet up to $100. Use the promo code LSRRIV.
  3. FanDuel promo code: Bet $5, get $250 in bonus bets if your bet wins. No code necessary; click to claim.
  4. Caesars Sportsbook promo code: Bet $1, double your winnings on next 10 wagers. Use the promo code LSRDYW.
  5. Fanatics Sportsbook bonus code: Bet and get up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. No code necessary; click to claim.
  6. DraftKings promo code: No code necessary. Get up to $1,250 in bonuses.

And here is a quick guide to the common types of promos you might find on West Virginia sportsbook apps:

10 quick facts about West Virginia sports betting

  1. West Virginia legalized sports betting in March 2018, months ahead of the US Supreme Court’s decision that overturned the federal ban on sports wagering in every state except Nevada.
  2. The first retail sports bet in West Virginia occurred at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in August 2018. 
  3. In December 2018, West Virginia became one of the first states to allow online sports betting sites.
  4. The state’s first online sportsbook (BetLucky) closed in March 2019 after an acrimonious dispute with its ownership and suppliers, and online sports betting did not return to West Virginia until August 2019.
  5. The state’s five casinos can offer both retail and online sports betting. 
  6. There could be as many as 15 online sportsbooks under state law.
  7. There’s no residency requirement, but you do need to be within state lines to place a bet. 
  8. Wagering on college and professional sports is legal in West Virginia. Betting on esports was not, but lawmakers passed a measure (HB 4826) to change that April 2022.
  9. You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in the state. 
  10. West Virginia is home to the only legal private sportsbook in the country at The Greenbrier. You must be a guest or member to place bets there.

With eight legal sportsbook sites available to you in WV, you have plenty of options. The West Virginia Lottery oversees those books, and there are legal standards and protections that each one must meet to remain in good standing. The delay following the shutdown of BetLucky in March 2019 was largely due to lottery officials enacting even stricter and more diligent standards for managing sports betting in the state. You have plenty of avenues to seek assistance if anything goes wrong.

Additionally, those eight sportsbooks are in direct competition with one another. Because you can switch back and forth quickly, they try to attract and retain customers with various promotions and perks.

West Virginia sports betting law

West Virginia began moving toward legal sports betting in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2018 that things began to shift. Delegate Shawn Fluharty introduced the first sports betting bills in both sessions. Still, the measure that finally carried the day was a larger proposal with the backing of several West Virginia lawmakers. SB 415 laid the groundwork for legal sports betting and online casinos in WV. Here are the key aspects:

Full list of legal West Virginia sports betting apps

All five casinos in the state have a sportsbook app in place as a home brand or through a partner organization. Two of the casinos in the state have used their three skins. Another has used two of them. Two more properties share a single sportsbook due to their joint ownership. Here are the eight active sportsbook apps in WV:

West Virginia’s favorite sports teams for betting

With no major professional teams inside its borders, West Virginia’s top draw for many sports fans is college action. For instance, the West Virginia University Mountaineers can be a hot ticket, particularly during football season. However, West Virginians may also turn to nearby teams, so here are some of the state’s favorite sports teams:

West Virginia sports betting history

2024: Golden Nugget Sportsbook shuts down operations in West Virginia.

2023: DraftKings launched its horse racing app, DK Horse, in West Virginia ahead of the Kentucky Derby. West Virginia legislators introduced a bill that would allow the state Lottery Commission to ban people from sports betting who have harassed players, coaches, officials, or anyone involved in sporting events. Fanatics Sportsbook and ESPN Bet launch.

2022: Mountain State lawmakers continue to seek ways to expand the state’s sports betting offerings. Delegate Moore Capito introduces HB 4826 to the House Judiciary Committee in February to allow betting on esports. The bill takes less than a month to move through both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature and become law without Gov. Jim Justice’s signature. 

2021: West Virginia sports betting begins to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Aside from some turbulence at the beginning of the year, sportsbooks report roughly $20 million to $30 million in handle each month and about $2 million in revenue. However, some West Virginia lawmakers believe those numbers to be lower than they could be and attempt to untether licensing from the state’s five casinos. The casinos are against the idea, and the measure ends up on the cutting room floor of the Senate. The market does expand, though, when PointsBet launches its sportsbook as the sixth in the state. Meanwhile, in what is becoming an unfortunate tradition, Delaware North relaunches its sportsbook app once again (Betly, for the second time) due to a new joint venture with Belgian technology company GAMING1. 

2020: September brings the NFL season and two new sportsbooks to the Mountain State — William Hill (now Caesars) and Betly. Incidentally, the debut of Betly marks the return to the market for Delaware North.

2019: BetLucky is open for business at the beginning of the year but closes in March. The closure affects both the online book and the retail sportsbooks at Mardi Gras Casino and Wheeling Island. Statements from the app’s parent company, Delaware North, indicate that a disagreement between strategic partner Miomni and a third-party vendor led to the shutdown. Online sports betting remains unavailable until August, when both FanDuel and DraftKings launch in time for the NFL season. Delaware North quits its partnership with Miomni shortly after the shutdown. The months of delay stem, in part, from an abundance of caution from the lottery commission to avoid another bad debut.

2018: Sports betting bill SB 415 gets through both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature in short order. Retail sports betting takes its first step in August and the first online book in the state launches in late December. 

2017: West Virginia pays $160,000 for an independent study on the viability of sports betting in the Mountain State.

West Virginia sports betting FAQ

Where can I bet on sports in West Virginia?

Almost anywhere in the state. Multiple online sportsbooks are available in West Virginia, and you can access them anywhere you can find an internet connection. In addition, the five casinos in West Virginia are each home to a retail sportsbook. The only one that might take some preparation to access is the FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier, a private location requiring a hotel stay or a membership in the club.

Are Bovada and BetOnline legal in West Virginia?

No. The only legal sportsbooks in West Virginia are those named earlier on this page. Bovada and BetOnline are neither licensed nor regulated by the West Virginia Lottery and do not conform to the standards, practices and laws that the lottery commission mandates for its licensees. Instead, these outfits operate outside of the country and offer services to West Virginians against federal law.

The legal issue is not the only concern. Because they operate in an unregulated environment, none of these “offshore” sites has any concern about US or West Virginia laws or consumer protections should a dispute arise. With options that are legal and safe in the Mountain State, it makes little sense to look elsewhere. 

How old do I have to be to bet on sports in West Virginia?

You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in West Virginia. Sportsbook apps verify your age and location before you place a bet. 

Is mobile sports betting available in West Virginia?

Yes. Several operators are now up and running with a mobile sports betting app in WV, including DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM.

Is horse betting legal in West Virginia?

Yes. Live racing, simulcast wagering and online horse betting are all available in the state.

There are four active tracks in the Mountain State, located at four of the five casinos in the state. The lone casino without a racing facility is The Greenbrier, which has other amenities. Each of the four tracks also has a simulcast wagering facility. There are no standalone off-track betting locations in West Virginia.

And online horse betting sites such as TVG are available from anywhere in the state with an internet connection.

Can I play daily fantasy sports in WV?

Yes. West Virginians have been able to legally play daily fantasy sports since 2016. That year, the state attorney general issued an opinion that state law did not prohibit DFS and that the games primarily relied upon skill rather than chance. All top DFS companies are available throughout West Virginia at this time.

Additional WV sports betting resources and information

If you need more information about sports betting in the state, consult the links below. In addition to the relevant lawmakers, regulators, and media outlets, there’s a link for the Problem Gambling Network of West Virginia, which is the top organization providing assistance if you or someone you know is experiencing problem gambling or gambling addiction.