Gambling Age In West Virginia
West Virginia is in the top 5 for most friendly gambling states in the country. The Mountain State offers a state lottery, horse and dog racing tracks, and charitable bingo games.
- What Is The Gambling Age In West Virginia
- Casino Gambling Age In West Virginia
- Gambling Age In West Virginia
Residents in WV can also legally sign up for an online casino and play casino games for real money. There are five land-based casinos that operate in the state and are each eligible to applyfor an online license.
What is the legal minimum age to play at online casinos? Legal minimum ages vary from online casino to online casino, however their requirement is that the higher of the player’s jurisdiction the the online casino’s own legal minimum is taken to be the determine age limit. Therefore, for West Virginia players the legal minimum age is 21. Each state needs to decide for themselves what the legal gambling age is. On this site, we have listed off the legal gambling age for land-based gaming for every state. Generally speaking, so long as you are 21 years or older, you are safe all over the country. There are no states that have a legal gambling age over 21 years old. The minimum gambling age in West Virginia is 21. Want to See an Alphabetical List of All Casinos in West Virginia? Check out our West Virginia casinos page to see an alphabetical list of every casino in that state.
Sports bettors have a reason to head to West Virginia too, as retail and online sportsbooks have both been legalized and very popular.
Since there are so many ways to go about gambling in WV, residents or visitors could find the different laws and what's really available a bit confusing.
Below, we'll go into detail about the different forms of gaming available in the state, current laws, and then take you back in time to how gambling all started in WV.
Let's start with online casinos.
Online Casinos in West Virginia
There are only a few states that have legalized online casinos, each generating millions a month in revenue. It's only had a positive effect on the economy in eachstate.
Online casinos went live in WV this past summer (2020) in July, joining online sportsbooks. The first operator to go live was DraftKings which launched through its brick and mortar partner in the state, Hollywood Casino.
24 hours of risk-free betting up to $200
BetMGM, one of the biggest operators in New Jersey, followed shortly after DraftKings launching its ownonline casino in WV.
For now, there are only a couple of options to play casino games online, but iGaming is just beginning in the state.
Potential casinos include PokerStars and Betfair. Each casino already operates in the NJ online gambling market, so it would have a lot to offer players in West Virginia.
Top 8 reasons why you should play at an online casino
There is nothing wrong with swinging by the local casino every once in a while. But, wouldn't it be easier to pull out your phone and have a casino game available to you in minutes, rather thanmaking the (hours long) trip to the land-based venue?
Here are just a few reasons why online gaming is better than the brick and mortar:
- Convenience
- Save money
- Claim different bonuses
- Participate in promotions
- Enjoy a large game selection from a variety of sites
- Play at your own pace, on your own time
- Lower min/max bets at online casino tables
- Higher RTP compared to land-based casinos
Playing at a casino online is convenient and allows you to access a lot of games while on the go.
You're saving money by not spending cash on travel and amenities at the brick and mortar, and can enjoy playing from anywhere you want in the state.
Online gamers also have access to multiple bonuses, which includes free money the minute you sign up.
Land-Based Casinos in West Virginia
All West Virginia casinos feature video lottery terminals (VLT's). The VLT’s are the same as regular video gaming devices but are called lottery terminals because they are regulated by thestate’s lottery commission which receives a share of each machine’s revenue.
Gaming regulations require that VLT’s at all casinos in West Virginia return a minimum of 80% to a maximum of 95%. VLT games include slots, blackjack, keno, and numerous versions ofpoker.
The average payback percentages on electronic gaming machines at all West Virginia casinos are released as a matter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all West Virginia casinos.
West Virginia law also allows bars, as well as restaurants that serve alcohol, to have up to five VLT’s. Fraternal organizations are also allowed to have up to 10 VLT’s. All of these machinesare identical to the machines found at the racetracks, except they only print out tickets and do not pay out in cash.
All West Virginia casinos offer the following table games: blackjack, craps, roulette, and three-card poker. Optional games offered include poker, pai gow poker, four card poker, Caribbean studpoker, mini-baccarat, Spanish 21, Mississippi stud, and big-6 wheel.
Types of Casinos in West Virginia
There are five casinos in West Virginia: four pari-mutuel facilities and one resort hotel.
The resort hotel is called The Greenbrier and it is only open only to overnight resort guests, members of the hotel's sporting clubs, or to attendees of an event or convention stayingoff-property when more than 400 rooms are occupied.
There is also a dress code with jackets required for men after 7 p.m.
List Of Land-Based Casinos In West Virginia
Click on the casino name below you want to learn more about.
Casino Club at The Greenbrier
- 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
- 1 844-837-2466
- Games: Slots, Video Poker, Video Keno, Video Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
- 750 Hollywood Dr, Charles Town, WV 25414
- 1 800-795-7001
- Slots, Video Poker, Video Keno, Video Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Mini-Baccarat, Big Six Wheel, Pai Gow Poker
- Horse and dog racing track
Mardi Gras West Virginia Casino Resort
- 1 Greyhound Dr, Cross Lanes, WV 25313
- 1 304-776-1000
- Games: Slots, Video Poker, Video Keno, Video Blackjack, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let it Ride, Big Six Wheel, Poker
- Dog racing track, simulcasting of horse and dog racing
Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort
- 1420 Mountaineer Cir, New Cumberland, WV 26047
- 1 800-804-0468
- Games: Slots, Video Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Spanish 21
- Daily simulcasting of horse and dog racing
Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center
- 1 S Stone St, Wheeling, WV 26003
- 1 304-232-5050
- Games Offered: Slots, Video Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride
- Dog racing track, simulcasting of horse and dog racing
West Virginia Land-Based Casinos Map
Map
-->One of the most unexpected surprises of the start of 2019 came in the form of West Virginia online gambling legislation in the United States, somewhat out of the blue, after no previous bill or debate surrounding the subject. This state has always been seen as one of those unlikely to undertake such a modern approach, even though it was open to many other forms of betting, allowing from lottery scratch offs to a few West Virginia gambling casinos. This move, however, might be the key towards giving West Va casinos a competitive edge over the Philadelphia neighbouring establishments.
West Virginia Online Casino Sites
Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit |
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1 | $2000 | 376 voted Review |
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2 | $12250 | 245 voted Review |
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3 | $12000 | 300 voted Review |
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4 | $2500 | 435 voted Review |
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5 | $1000 | 422 voted Review |
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6 | $7777 | 336 voted Review |
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7 | $3000 | 500 voted Review |
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8 | $800 | 292 voted Review |
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9 | $4000 | 451 voted Review |
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10 | $5000 | 447 voted Review |
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Contents
Overview of Laws Pertaining to Wagering in WV
This state has been one of those that, at first glance, had a reputation as being biased against this particular market, with low odds of regulating in favour of the Internet-based betting. This was on account of never existing any sort of debate on the matter. It also has stipulated a large number of punishments for many situations where illegal wagering might have occurred.
In fact, West Virginia gambling market was always open to this sort of activity, welcoming the additional revenues, as long as it didn’t bring along an increase in criminal activity or other troublesome happenings.
What Is The Gambling Age In West Virginia
The betting history started in the early 30s with race tracks, which became racinos in 1987 by including slots in their offer, now being seen as full rights casinos in West Virginia. 2007 has seen the best casino in West Virginia story come to life after the Greenbrier Hotel made up a plan to allow guests in playing wagering games on its premises. The fact that the term “guest” has a large meaning made it an even more incisive move on behalf of local lawmakers.
2018 was another key point in the field’s legislation, WV seizing the opportunity first-hand and deemed sports betting legal. This could have been the signal of the changes to come still.
West Virginia Online Gambling Laws
Early 2019 found gambling in West Virginia being given quite the shock, after the approval, on fast-forward, of the bill which legalizes West Virginia online gambling. This makes it the fifth state to take this stance. Following the model set before by neighbouring state Philadelphia, this bill allows casinos in West Va to apply for a license, which allows them to offer these kinds of services to state residents.
The decision was purely based on the previous experience of states such as Philadelphia, New Jersey or Delaware. The soon-to-be-created online casinos of West Virginia target customers from other close-by states, Ohio and Virginia, while also trying to keep business within state borders, avoiding seeing their residents going to PA in order to benefit from these services.
This is good news, no doubt about it, but there is an issue with the time frame when it will all come to effect. The first Internet, West Va casino, is not likely to open up shop anytime sooner than 2020, with 2021 being the most realistic deadline. Until that long-awaited time, WV citizens can enjoy West Virginia gaming the same way they did up to now, using the thoroughly reviewed betting websites, which accept US players. Most of them are based offshore like all the RTG casinos, which makes them good to go even now before the full effect of the new law takes place. In addition, it might just be a good idea to try out one of these secure websites, until the official ones appear, just so you can get the hang of the gameplay, the interface and a taste of what Internet wagering means. We found Bovada Casino as the most secure and trusted casino brand. Luckily, Bovada is legal in West Virginia and everyone can enjoy it.
- Top 1 USA online casino
- Fast payouts
Offline Gambling in West Virginia
Brick-and-mortar
There aren’t that many WV casinos locations, given the fact that there are just 5 casinos across the state, 4 of them actually being of the racinos type. When it comes to classic resort and gambling casinos in West Virginia, there is only one such venue, the Greenbrier. This business started as a hotel, with the idea to offer its guests the additional facility of gambling, as a way to pass the time. Of the 5 establishments, this is the one with the fewest slot machines West Virginia has.
Sports Betting
Gambling in West Va has recently added to the offer, through a surprising decision in 2018, the sports betting service. But are there casinos in West Virginia where sports booking is available? The answer is yes. So far, the only casino in West Virginia to hold a license for it is the Greenbrier, but soon all the others are going to follow its lead.
Race Tracks
The original race tracks, two focused on horses, and two-centred on dog racing, have turned into WV online casinos, in 1987 after the decision to include slots games in their offer. Right now, they are the hub for West Virginia slot machines, with over 5800 such devices divided among the four of them.
Casino Gambling Age In West Virginia
Charitable
Gambling Age In West Virginia
Although none of the Virginia casinos offers spaces specifically for bingo seats, there are a couple of bingo halls around the state. They are unusually popular, with an average prize pool allowed, limited to 10000 USD.
Social Gaming
The West Virginia gaming stage allows social gaming as long as it’s among friends, no rake or fee is accepted. As long as you don’t charge money the same way any West Virginia casino would, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you risk up to 2 years in prison for illegal organizing of gambling.
You Might Also be Interested in:
Virginia online gambling
KY state online casinos
OH online gambling
PA online gambling
Maryland online gambling
❓ Is gambling allowed in WV?
Almost every sort of WV gambling is allowed inside the borders of this state, with slot machines, poker and table games in West Virginia casinos, to horse and dog racing in racinos, buying tickets for both state and interstate lotteries, playing bingo and raffles and the newest addition to the list Internet wagering.
❓ Is West Virginia online gambling legal?
A law has recently passed which states that any WV casino can purchase a license to organize and own similar West Virginia online casinos.
❓ What do the West Virginia online gambling laws allow?
Following the lead other states provided, this newly adopted bill makes room for the opening of West Virginia online casinos, via a license that is to be purchased solely by the current existent casinos of West Virginia.
❓ What is minimum West Virginia gambling age?
The gambling age in West Virginia is of 18 for charitable gaming and lottery, while for casinos in WV is 21.
❓ Can I safely deposit or withdraw money from the offshore-based websites?
The only difference between the two, regarding the transfer of money to and from them, would be on the accepted means to do so. There are currently some restrictions in place in the case of offshore-based sites, as for example, the use of e-wallets not being an option. The expectancy is that the online casinos of West Virginia would be able to offer at least the same payment methods that their current West Virginia casinos counterparts do.
Additional Sources:
http://www.wvlegislature.gov/wvcode/code.cfm?chap=29&art=25
http://www.gettoknowgaming.org/sites/default/files/AGA_WestVirginia.pdf