The long wait is over as online casinos in West Virginia are finally up and running!
As of summer 2020, the Mountain State is allowing bettors to play casino games from the location of their choice in addition to offering in-person gambling at its five land-based venues and the induction of West Virginia online sports betting.
Here, we’re detailing how the legalization of online casinos in the state came to be along with providing vital information about some of the best casino sites in West Virginia and their bonus offers.
Are Online Casinos Legal In WV?
Yes, online casinos in West Virginia are legal and have been for a little over a year. The Mountain State passed the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act back in March 2019 without the signature of Governor Jim Justice.
The law allows land-based casino games to be played on electronic devices, with each brick-and-mortar venue being allowed to partner with online gaming operators.
The launch of online casino sites in West Virginia was supposed to take place in spring 2021 but following the closure of land-based casinos in the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline was fast-tracked.
Following the West Virginia Lottery Commission sending regulations for approval in May 2020, online casinos finally went live during summer.
How Safe Are WV Online Casinos?
West Virginia online gambling sites are extremely safe to use and can be trusted with your money the same way a land-based casino can.
Online casinos in the Mountain State are completely legal sites overseen by the West Virginia Lottery, which regulates the industry in the state and tests games regularly to ensure the safety of players.
Using a regulated site means that if you win money playing at legal online casinos in West Virginia, you will absolutely receive your winnings without a doubt. The same thing can’t be said for illegal offshore casinos, which have a shady history of not paying out when bettors win money on their sites.
WV Online Casinos Expected In 2021
Now that online casinos are live in West Virginia, the big question becomes: which sites will be available to choose from? We’re here to help answer that question so below, we’ll get into which sites are established in the Mountain State along with the types of bonuses, promotions, and games offered.
FanDuel Casino
FanDuel and rival DraftKings have taken much of the same route to the Mountain State, as the two did in other states previously.
After emerging as a universally-known Dailly Fantasy platform and online sportsbook, FanDuel Casino launched in Pennsylvania in 2020 and is expected to be part of West Virginia during 2021.
Following FanDuel being acquired by Paddy Power Betfair in 2018, the site entered the United States sports betting market and immediately made an enormous impact. The sportsbook audience then carried over to the casino product, making FanDuel a powerhouse in all three areas.
As you’d imagine, the FanDuel Online Casino in West Virginia, which partners with The Casino Club At The Greenbrier, offers the same variety of table games, slot titles, and live dealer games that are offered on the sites in PA.
Hollywood Casino
Hollywood Casino established itself when it became the first online casino site in Pennsylvania during summer 2019 and a year later, it arrived in West Virginia under a partnership with the land-based venue of the same name located in Charles Town.
With Hollywood already being well-known in the Mountain State, that brand recognition already gives the site an inside track when it comes to attracting WV casino enthusiasts.
Players quickly learn that all the same slots, table games, and poker room activities that can be enjoyed at the brick-and-mortar venue are available via online gaming as well.
Gambling Sites Vs. Land-Based Casinos
We already know that the introduction of online casinos in West Virginia allows gamblers to take part in the action from anywhere in the state. This creates a much higher level of convenience, rather than forcing people into a brick-and-mortar venue.
Another point worth making is that players aren’t being asked to give anything up by playing online as opposed to in person. This is because online casinos in WV offer the same games that land-based venues do, regardless of what you prefer.
Blackjack, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, different types of Poker, a massive variety of options for slots, and much more can be accessed by playing online. And for those who want that personal touch without having to physically hit the casino, Live Dealer games are offered with the chance to view a live dealer in real-time as you play.
Casino Offers And Loyalty Programs
Quick intro leading into a brief summary of the different types of bonuses players will see
First Deposit Bonus
This is an offer that involves the online casino matching your original deposit in the form of bonus credit. Some sites match the entirety of the deposit bonus while others match a portion of it.
For example, a BetMGM Online Casino West Virginia first deposit bonus is matched 100% of the way up to $2,500, meaning players can start playing with a good amount in total credit on the site.
Keep in mind that even though this bonus comes with a 100% match and can put you ahead up to a thousand bucks, it also contains a 20x wagering requirement before funds can be withdrawn.
Another example is Hollywood Casino, where the 100% deposit also comes with a wagering requirement of 20x before you can withdraw winnings. But because the bonus is only up to $500, funds can be taken out much sooner because the requirement is far less.
These sites are not the only two in the state to offer no deposit bonuses and in fact, nearly every site in West Virginia offers some variation of this promotion. There are also other types of bonuses offered when signing up.
No Deposit Bonus
The thing about a first deposit bonus is that you can only claim it by investing money in the site. With a no deposit bonus, players earn site credit with an online casino just for creating an account and aren’t required to make a deposit first.
For that reason, no deposit bonuses are a favorite among many players including in West Virginia. Not every operator offers this bonus but on plenty of occasions, sites will have both no deposit and first deposit bonuses.
At BetMGM, new players are awarded a $50 free signup bonus after creating an account before even getting a chance to deposit for the 100% match up to $2,500 .
DraftKings Casino has one of the most generous bonuses around, boosting the amount to $35 upon the completion of signup before being offered a 20% deposit match up to $1,000.
Beyond these types of bonuses, some casinos also offer site credit in other ways.
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is an offer that keeps players coming back to the site because it rewards returning players. Many casinos offer bonuses, but it’s much less common to such a bonus for a deposit beyond the first one.
Reload bonuses allow current customers the chance to receive a deposit match bonus even if it isn’t upon the creation of a new account or the very first deposit being made by that account. This lets players know that each time they return to use the site, a bonus will be waiting.
Can I Earn Rewards At My Local Casino By Playing Online?
There are times in which you can earn rewards by playing at West Virginia online casinos. This allows players to rack up points and later redeem them to earn free cash bonuses or other prizes.
Some rewards programs are tied into brick-and-mortar casinos and playing online can even help players earn status at land-based venues as well. Rewards may include perks such as VIP lounge access, complimentary valet parking, access to exclusive events, and experiences.
For example, Hollywood Casino’s mychoice loyalty rewards program allows players to earn points and move up the tiers while playing online. Players can then use the status earned via online casinos and still earn benefits at a land-based location such as the one in Charles Town.;
WV Casino Apps
Perhaps the greatest thing about online gambling is being able to wager from a location of your choice via an application, which is something West Virginians are lucky enough to enjoy.
In order to successfully place wagers after logging in, players must be located within the physical boundaries of West Virginia. The exact location of players are monitored with geofencing technology, and the app will notify the player once their location is verified.
Regardless of which type of device you own or where you are in the Mountain State, accessing your account, making transactions, and playing online casino games is a simple process following verification.
It should be noted that some online casinos may have fewer features and a slightly limited game selection if being accessed on a mobile device.
WV Online Casino iPhone Application
Downloading online casino apps in West Virginia is an extremely easy thing to do if you own an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad. All you need to do is visit the App Store and search for the online casino you are looking for, then select “GET” to start downloading the app.
The application should load on your phone rather quickly, allowing you to hit the virtual tables in a matter of minutes.
WV Online Casino Android App
West Virginia online casino apps are also available for Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, but the process is slightly different since it won’t be in the Google Play store.
Players can gain access by using a web browser to visit the casino homepage and downloading the app as a .apk file. After completion, the app can be easily launched on the Android device.
No Download WV Casinos
If you’re the type of player who’d rather get in on the action from home and not use a mobile device, games on each one of the online casinos in West Virginia can be played via a web browser on a desktop. Since there is no application involved in wagering this way, we refer to these sites as no download casinos.
There are some benefits to using a desktop computer at online gambling sites in West Virginia, beginning with the fact that there is usually a wider selection of no download casino games available than if you were using a mobile device.
Players also benefit from using a much larger screen and having some features be much easier to use on desktop, such as taking part in the chat and contacting support.;
West Virginia Casino Games
Playing online casino games in West Virginia means choosing from a huge variety of titles across several types of games. In fact, nearly all of what’s available in a brick-and-mortar casino can be found online as well.
Similarly to sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, online casinos in West Virginia use gaming software from such of the industry’s top providers such as NetENT and IGT.
By using some of the most reliable brands in the gaming business, WV online casinos add an extra layer of credibility and trustworthiness for their players.
Whether you enjoy table games such as blackjack, roulette, and variations of poker, or prefer dice games such as craps, or enjoy the many types of slot machines, online casinos in West Virginia have it all.
Below, we’ll further detail the different game types that can be found.
Slot Machines
There is no more popular game in a land-based casino than slots, and the same can be said when it comes to gaming online, and there are huge prizes and jackpots to be won by playing online slots in West Virginia
Here are the types of jackpots that can be found at online casinos sites in the Mountain State:
- Fixed Jackpots
- Progressive Jackpots
- Random Progressive
- Multi-Level
After logging into nearly any site, players will immediately see the huge catalog of slot titles, although there are sometimes a limited number of games available online.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular table games there is. It has been for an extremely long time and now, it’s an online casino favorite no matter where you play, including in West Virginia.
Basically, the goal in blackjack is simply to have a hand that beats the dealer’s hand. In order to achieve this goal, players want a hand that totals as close to 21 as possible without going over. The player loses the hand if the dealer’s total is closer to 21 at the end of the round or if the player’s hand exceeds 21.
In blackjack, players are not in competition with each other because all are going against the dealer’s hand only. There are several variants of the game but when it comes to playing online, the gameplay is limited to just a few including the American version.
Roulette
Another one of the most commonly played casino games in the world is roulette, and it translates very well to the online platform in states where gaming is legal.
American Roulette is a game in which a ball is dropped into a revolving wheel with players wagering on which number(s) or color in which the ball will come to rest.
No matter where you go in the world, there is a version of Roulette that can be played, and online casinos tend to offer more variations of this game than they do with blackjack. Expect to see the following among others:
- American Roulette
- European Roulette
- French Roulette
With each variation, there’s a huge range of bets that can be made for each spin on the roulette wheel and the different types lend the game to being enjoyable for all, whether you’re a novice bettor or a casino veteran.
Craps
Craps is a dice game that provides nonstop action and it has for over 200 years at this point.
In craps, players place bets on the outcome of a dice roll, or a series of rolls. Bettors have the option of gambling against the bank (the casino) or against each other (street craps), and there are various types of wagers to choose from.
The game is not available in every market, as online casinos in New Jersey allow it and those in Pennsylvania do not, but West Virginia online casinos couldn’t resist including it.
Because getting the hang of things can be a bit overwhelming at first, playing online is actually a great way to learn how to play. Thanks to its low limits, bettors of all bankrolls can also enjoy the consistent excitement provided by the game.
Other Table Games
Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps aren’t the only games that bettors can enjoy in the Mountain State. In fact, there are several other world-renowned casino games that can be found online in West Virginia, including the following:
- Poker (Various Types)
- Baccarat (Mini)
- High Card Flush
- Let It Ride
- Big 6 Wheel
Video Poker
Anytime you walk into a brick-and-mortar casino, bettors already know they’ll be able to play several different types of poker, including video poker. The online platform is the exact same way, with many West Virginia gambling sites offering several video poker online casino games, including some of the following:
- Jacks Or Better
- Deuces Wild
- Double Double Bonus Poker
- Triple-Play and Five-Play
Online casino players have no reason to worry about safety because like the rest of the games included on these sites, West Virginia video poker is provided by some of the biggest names in the business such as Game King and IGT.
Deposit Options
One great perk of playing online is the fact that there is a wide range of methods in which you can deposit, as opposed to needing cash at a brick-and-mortar casino. Here are several methods that are popular at West Virginia online casinos:
- Credit/Debit
- PayPal
- Prepaid Card
- eCheck/ACH
- Play+ Card
Usually, minimum deposits are just $5 or $10 to get started, and the process is simple enough that you can be playing games just minutes after depositing.
Withdrawal Options
Traditionally, there are fewer options to withdraw from your account than there are to withdraw, which makes sense since you can’t withdraw onto a credit card. But still, there are more than enough methods in which you can take out funds from your account:
- PayPal
- Bank transfer
- Check By Mail
- Cash At Cage
When it comes to this last withdrawal method, keep in mind that players must collect winnings from the land-based venue that is associated with the online casino. For example, winnings on DraftKings Casino would be collected at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
West Virginia Casinos
Currently, there are five retail casino properties in the state of West Virginia. These venues originally opened as racetracks or hotels (or both), but now operate as full-time casinos following the legalization of gambling at land-based venues in the Mountain State in 2007.
They range in age, too, with some of these properties being a few decades old while others have been around for hundreds of years. But they all have one thing in common, and that is serving the great people of West Virginia and being a course of nonstop fun at the casino.
We’ll go through each brick-and-mortar casino below, detailing an overview of the games it offers and which gaming operators it partners with.
The Casino Club at Greenbrier
The Greenbrier dates back to 1778 and operates one of the oldest resorts in the United States, but it didn’t receive permission to offer gambling until 2008, a year after brick-and-mortar casinos were legalized in the state.
The Casino Club at Greenbrier opened officially in 2010 and is home to over 300 slot machines, nearly 40 gaming tables, and has simulcasted horse racing events since 2013.
When it comes to online casino and sports betting services, The Casino Club is partnered with both FanDuel and BetMGM, two of the biggest brands in the entire industry. The former went live during summer 2019 while the latter launched in March 2020, and both partnerships are proving valuable for the historic landmark.
The Greenbrier is located at 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and is open 24 hours a day.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Charles Town Races, tucked into the northeast section of West Virginia, has been operating since 1933 as a year-round horse racing track. Now owned by Penn National Gaming, it is one of just two tracks in the entire state.
In addition to a 153-room hotel called The Inn at Charles Town, the property also features a casino since a vote to approve table games at the venue was passed in 2009 after it formerly operated as a racino.
Since 2010, the property has been known by its current name, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The casino features over 3,000 slot machines, a variety of table games such as blackjack, roulette, and different types of poker including a poker room.
Hollywood became the first to offer West Virginia sports betting and like Penn National, the venue has a deal with DraftKings to provide the services.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is located at 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, West Virginia, and is open from 8 AM until 4 AM daily.
Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
Mardi Gras Resort and Casino opened in 1985 as the Tri-State Greyhound Park and mainly focused on greyhound racing until the track’s casino offering expanded in 2008 following the legalization of casino gambling the year before.
Mardi Gras also received a visual upgrade and a new name in 2010. The venue now contains a 150-room hotel, several restaurants, and nearly a thousand slot machines. It also offers table games such as blackjack, craps, various types of poker, and more.
The property is located west of Charleston near the Kanawha River that features one of the state’s two live greyhound racing tracks with the owner, Delaware North, also owns Wheeling Island, the location of West Virginia’s other track.
There is no sports betting offered but the site features the largest poker room of any casino in the state with 18 tables.
The Mardi Gras Casino and Resort is located at 1 Greyhound Drive, Nitro, West Virginia, and is open daily from 9 AM until 2 AM.
Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino and Racetrack
The historic Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is situated on Wheeling Island in the middle of the Ohio River and first opened its doors in 1866 and is still going strong over 150 years later.
Like Mardi Gras, the site is owned and operated by Delaware North and Wheeling Island is the only other live greyhound racing track in the state. It also offers off-track betting for both greyhounds and horses, although no sports betting is permitted other than boxing.
Wheeling Island casino is stocked with well over 1,000 slot machines and table games including poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette were added to the casino in late 2007 to join several restaurants, three bars and a live concert venue as the sources of on-site entertainment.
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is located at 1 S Stone Street, Wheeling, West Virginia, and is open daily from 9 AM until 2 AM.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort
The Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort first opened as a thoroughbred racetrack called Waterfront Park in 1951 and the property has developed some historical relevance in the decades since.
The horse racing track was known for a long time as one of the busiest in the nation as of just a few short years ago, formerly running races over 200 days per year. The venue received its current title in 1987 and just a few years later in 1994, the property was authorized to install slot machines, making it the first “racino” in the United States.
Even though the track may not be quite as busy these days, it currently still runs well over 100 days per year from May until November.
The casino added table games in 2007 and now has over 30 of them to go with more than 1,100 slot machines, a poker room, and a sportsbook which features a retail partnership with gaming giant William Hill.
Located in the northern part of the state on the Ohio River, Mountaineer Casino is about an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh and easily services residents of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Its address is 1420 Mountaineer Cir, New Cumberland, West Virginia, and is open daily from 10 AM until 2 AM.