Best West Virginia sportsbooks: Top betting sites in 2024

Online sports betting is legal in West Virginia. In fact, the state was one of the first in the US to introduce a legal sports betting bill, not long after the removal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018.

PASPA had acted as a federal ban on sports betting in almost every state in the country but when the Supreme Court removed it, each state could decide its own sports betting laws as they wished.

Since then, at least nine sportsbooks have launched in the state, with more expected in the near future. We’ve got everything you need to know about betting on sports in West Virginia on this page. We cover the different sites, betting bonuses, how to deposit money and place a bet, mobile betting and much more. 

Best online sportsbooks in West Virginia

Check out our list of the top online sportsbooks in West Virginia below:

• DraftKings - Get $200 in instant bonus bets!
• BetMGM - Get $1000 in bonus bets!

Legalization of sports betting in West Virginia

West Virginia had its eye on legal sports betting before the Supreme Court even ruled on PASPA. In 2017, the Mountain State commissioned a study on the practicality and viability of legal sports betting in the state. Over 2017 and 2018, two sports betting bills which prefigured the eventual removal of PASPA were introduced to the state legislature - HB 2751 and HB 106 - neither of which found sufficient support for a positive ruling.

A third bill, SB 415, finally passed in 2018, followed by HB 2934 in March 2019. This landmark decision allowed the state's five existing casinos to offer sports betting services (Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, Mountaneer Casino, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, and The Casino Club at The Greenbrier). The West Virginia Lottery Commission was tasked with regulating the nascent industry, and in August of that year, the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races became the first casino in West Virginia to book a sports bet. Online sports betting arrived the following year, when both DraftKings and FanDuel launched their sites in August 2019. 

Sports betting around the US took a major hit in 2020 when the COVID-19 Pandemic effectively put a stop to the vast majority of professional sports leagues. As the initial waves of panic subsided and professional sports recovered, however, so did the sports betting industry in West Virginia. Each year, a handful of new sports betting sites arrived in WV, and a bill to legalize e-sport betting is passed in 2022. 

Are my bet winnings taxable in West Virginia?

Yes, gambling wins in West Virginia are considered taxable income. However, only larger wins (over $5,000) are automatically reported to the IRS, with 24% withheld by the sportsbook. For smaller wins, it’s up to each individual to record their winnings and include them when they file their taxes at the end of the year. 

In 2023, Gov. Jim Justice signed a new bill that means gambling losses are now tax deductible in WV. 

Facts about sports betting in West Virginia

Check out the main things you need to know about the legal sports betting scene in West Virginia below:

• West Virginia passed a bill to legalize sports betting in March 2018, and the first bets were placed in the state in August 2018.
• There are five in-person casinos in West Virginia and each one is allowed to host up to three online sportsbooks.
• The West Virginia Lottery regulates sports betting in the state.
• The tax rate on sports betting revenue is 10%, which is one of the lowest in the US. 
• Betting on college sports is legal in West Virginia, but betting on high school sports is not.
• Since 2022, betting on e-sports has been legal in WV. 
• In total, around $1.9 billion has been gambled in West Virginia since sports betting was legalized. 

In-depth reviews of top sportsbooks in West Virginia

In this section, you can read a little more about some of our favorite sports books in WV.

DraftKings

DraftKings is one of the most complete sportsbooks in the US, and is the most popular book in a number of US states. In fact, the Hollywood Charles Town Casino, where DraftKings has its physical book in West Virginia, has had the largest sports betting handle of any casino in the state since sports betting was legalized. The DraftKings sportsbook has one of the deepest betting menus in the country. The website includes sports news, pools contests, a social platform and plenty of other features that make it stand out from the competition. It feels like much more than just a sportsbook.

Pros:

• Welcome bonus worth up to $1,000
• Huge range of betting markets
• Highly rated mobile app

Cons:

• Welcome bonus is potentially very valuable for high rollers, but not so much for smaller stakes bettors

BetMGM

BetMGM is the online betting platform associated with MGM Resorts, who own a number of luxury casino-hotels around the States. You can feel the influence of the casino in the sportsbook too, from the possibility of winning real prizes at in-person MGM Resorts to the online casino games integrated into the platform. That said, if you just want to focus on sports betting, MGM is a great option. The variety of betting markets is top notch, and BetMGM also includes several unique tools to make it easier to bet. 

Pros:

• Risk-free bet worth up to $1,000 
• The bet builder tool is great
• Sponsorships with several major leagues means you get official branded content on the sportsbook

Cons:

• Some people might be turned off by the presence of casino games in the sportsbook section

How we ranked the best West Virginia sportsbooks

Our team has been reviewing online sportsbooks before they were even legal in West Virginia. In this section, we’re running through some of the things we look for in a great sportsbook.

Legal for WV bettors

We only recommend playing at legal and regulated sites which hold the proper licenses required by US gambling authorities. In West Virginia, that means online sportsbooks that have received a license from the  West Virginia Lottery Commission. There are many offshore sites out there that will allow WV players to sign up and bet, but they are effectively operating outside the law and you never really know what is likely to happen with your money. With legal sites, this is not an issue.

Betting bonuses

Every sportsbook worth its salt will have some kind of promotional offer for new customers, and most of them will also have recurring bonuses, a promo code for big sports events, etc. to maintain the partnership. Therefore, a player looking to place their wager in the online version of a WV retail sportsbook brand should look into its selection of promotional offers and the rewards they can expect if they remain a loyal customer.

Mobile apps

Mobile betting is legal in WV. For every site we review, we check out the mobile options, in addition to the desktop version. Is there an app or just a mobile-optimized site? What's the user experience WV residents can expect when they access a sportsbook from their mobile device? Are there any mobile-specific features or bonuses? Mobile betting is the dominant way that people gamble in the US, so it’s a priority for us. 

Deposit and withdrawal methods

The best sportsbooks allow you to top up your account and withdraw your money easily, via a number of different payment methods. Credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets like PayPal are all standard banking methods, but we also love to see other interesting options like Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Branded Play+ Cards - which often allow instant cashouts - are great too. 

Betting markets and offers

Obviously, the actual betting options are a big part of what makes a sportsbook great. We like to see lots of different sports and lots of different betting markets within those sports. As a minimum, anything you can read about in the sports pages of the newspaper, you should be able to bet. Welcome bonuses and other promotions is another area we check out, including all the small print and hidden terms and conditions associated with claiming any offer. Finally, there's in-play or live betting, which is also a great advantage for any operators looking to reel in some West Virginians as their customers.

Customer support

Our favorite sites are easy to contact and quick to respond. Normally, live chat is the best option for this, but we like to see email and phone support too. A detailed help section, including plenty of FAQs and other articles about the site, is essential too.

How to sign up at WV online sportsbooks and place a bet

Placing a bet in West Virginia is easy. Here’s our step-by-step guide:

1. Step 1: Sign up. Creating a sportsbook account is nice and simple, and it’s actually pretty much the same no matter which book you choose. You’ll have to type in some basic personal information (name, date of birth, email address, address and phone number) and accept the site's terms and conditions.
2. Step 2: Verify your identity. WV sportsbooks are legally required to verify the age and identity of their bettors. This typically involves sending a copy of some ID, along with your SSN. This step can take a couple of days sometimes, depending on your info.
3. Step 3: Deposit some money. Again, this is a very simple process. You can head to the cashier or deposit section of the sportsbook, choose your preferred payment method, and follow the instructions. Don’t forget that new bettors also get a welcome bonus along with their first deposit, like a risk free bet or some extra bonus cash. 
4. Step 4: Place your bet. Once everything is set up, you can simply find the bet you want to place, add it to the betslip and lock it in by clicking the Confirm button.

What sportsbooks are operating online in West Virginia?

All of the sportsbooks up and running in West Virginia allow both in person and online betting. To legally bet online, you must be physically located within state lines when you actually place the bet. The online books use geolocation software to track this. 

What mobile sportsbook apps are available in WV?

There are mobile apps available to download for both iOS and Android for all the legal betting sites in West Virginia. The full list of mobile apps is below:

• Barstool Sportsbook
• Betly
• BetMGM
• Caesars
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• Golden Nugget
• PointsBet

What payment methods can you use at WV sportsbooks?

West Virginia sportsbooks have a good variety of payment methods available. Below, you can get a sense of the different options you can find in WV betting sites:

Bank cards

An online payment with a credit or debit card is probably the easiest way to deposit money at an online sportsbook. The downside is that you normally can’t withdraw your winnings in the same way

Bank transfer / E-check

This is a direct payment from your bank account to your sports betting account, and it comes with the added benefit of the ability to withdraw in the same way. It does create a direct link between your personal account and your sportsbook however, which some people prefer to avoid.

E-wallets

E-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.) are the perfect alternative if you want to avoid that direct link. They create an extra layer of security, and their transfers are very fast for both deposits and withdrawals.

Play+ cards

These are a type of reloadable bank card. Many sportsbooks and casinos have their own bespoke Play+ Cards, and will give you extra benefits (like instant cashouts) if you sign up for one.  

What types of sign up bonuses are available at WV betting sites?

You can find a wide variety of bonuses at WX sportsbooks. Here’s what you can expect:

• Deposit match bonus - the sportsbook matches some or all of your first deposit with bonus cash or free bets. The more you deposit, the more valuable your bonus cash (up to a certain limit). Bonus cash can only be used to bet and if you win, only your winnings will be eligible to be withdrawn.
• Risk-free bet - many sportsbooks will give you your first bet risk free, so that if it loses you’ll get your money back in the form of free bets. 
• Odds boosts - most sportsbooks offer regular enhanced odds markets, often changing up the special offers every day or every week. It gives you the chance to get a little extra value on the sportsbook’s dime. 
• Money-back specials - another popular on-running promo, some sportsbooks will give you your money back if a certain thing happens in a game. For example, you might get your money back on any bets on a Lakers game if Lebron records a triple double. As always, the money back is in the form of a free bet or bets.

However, be aware that some of these sportsbook bonuses will have wagering requirements, i.e., a number of wagers you have to make with the bonus amount to receive the funds from the sportsbook operator.

What WV sportsbook offers the best odds?

The truth is, in terms of the best odds, there is not an awful lot to choose between the various sportsbooks in the state. Betting lines are always moving at every book and the best value sites can change pretty quickly.

In fact, we recommend signing up for multiple sportsbooks, so you can shop around for the best lines each week before you go to place your bets. 

All that said, if we had to single out one site it would be DraftKings. The odds are consistently among the best in the state, but DraftKings also generally has more betting markets than any other book too. The betting options for markets like NBA and NFL props are simply deeper at DraftKings than the competition.

What sports can you bet on in West Virginia?

Theoretically, you can bet on any sport in WV. It all depends on what the sportsbook decides to offer action on, but there are no legal restrictions on specific sports (apart from high school betting).

Below you can see a list of some of the sports available to bet on in West Virginia:

• NFL
• NCAA Football
• NBA
• NCAA Football
• XFL
• NHL
• NCAA Hockey
• MLB
• NCAA Baseball
• Soccer (Premier League, MLS, Champions League etc…)
• Basketball (non-NBA)
• Golf
• Tennis
• Boxing
• UFC/MMA
• Motorsports
• Table Tennis
• Lacrosse
• Australian Rules
• Badminton
• Billiards
• Bowling
• Chess
• Cricket
• Curling
• Cycling
• Darts
• Diving
• Esports
• Field Hockey
• Floorball
• Handball
• Horse Racing
• Netball
• Olympics
• Paralympics
• Rugby League
• Rugby Union
• Snooker
• Volleyball
• Winter Sports
• Wrestling

Are college sports legal to bet on in West Virginia?

Yes, betting on college sports is legal in West Virginia. However, betting on high school sports and sports teams is not allowed.

Are there betting markets not available in West Virginia?

Not really. West Virginia is one of the more liberal states as regards to what you can bet on, including DFS and horse racing. As we’ve previously mentioned, betting on high school sports is the exception, which is not legal. 

Until 2022, betting on esports was illegal too. But that changed when HB 4826 was passed in April 2022. 

Which bet types are available at West Virginia sports betting sites?

There’s pretty much a full menu of sports betting available in West Virginia. We’re covering some of the most popular types of bets below:

• Moneyline - A straight up bet on which team or side will win a game. Betting on the moneyline is just about the easiest way to bet on sports in WV.
• Point spread - Betting on spreads is betting on the margin of victory in a game. With betting on the spread, the odds of both sides tend to be around -110. 
• Totals - Betting on the total number of points scored in a game.
• Futures - Betting on outcomes later in the season, like the winner of a Conference or which teams make the Super Bowl. 
• Prop bets - Betting on specific aspects of a team’s or player’s performance, like throwing yards, layups or yellow cards. 
• Parlays - combining multiple bets together on a single betslip. To win a parlay, all your individual selections must win.

Can you place a bet at WV sportsbooks if you are not from West Virginia?

Yes. To legally place a bet in WV you simply need to be at least 21 years old, have verified your identity and be physically located in the state when you place the bet.

There is no requirement to be from WV or a permanent resident of the state.

Tuning in from Pennsylvania? Find the best betting sites in your state.

Our top 5 tips for betting at the best sportsbooks in West Virginia.

We asked our experts for five simple tips to keep sports bettors in WV on the right track. Here’s what they came up with.

1. Don’t bet on the first line you see. Line shopping (which means checking around with different sportsbooks to find the best odds) is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your profits over time.
2. Don’t bet on what you want to happen. Betting on their favorite teams is one of the main pitfalls that casual bettors fall into. You should be dispassionate and analytical in your betting - personal preference should not be a factor.
3. Come up with a spending plan. The most successful gamblers have a very carefully managed budget. It helps you stay disciplined and in control of your gambling spending.
4. Record your results. Betting on sports is just like any other hobby: you get better over time. Keeping track of your wins and losses is not just good from a budget management point of view, it also means you are always learning about which types of bets worked for you and which didn’t.
5. Narrow your focus. Focussing on one type of bet and becoming an expert is a solid strategy. Some of the best sports bettors out there literally only bet on one niche market every week, like shots on target in Premier League soccer for instance. 

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the sportsbooks offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 21+. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? 

Responsible gambling 

Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• National Council on Problem Gambling – 
• Gamble Aware – 

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to