Top Online Live Dealer Casinos for West Virginia

The small state of West Virginia is in close neighborhood with some of the most conservative US states in terms of offline and online gambling. And yet, a single look at the gambling industry in West Virginia allows concluding — this state is one of the most liberal when it comes to games of chance, as well as real money action in sports.

While some states offer only Tribal Casinos and others — either riverboat or commercially-operated land-based casinos, West Virginia has all three of these types of gambling and then some — interactive casinos provided by the certified land-based venues.

The state is not exactly lenient towards the industry when it comes to taxation. Gross wins on slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos are subject to 53.3% in taxes, and the numbers reach 35% for table games. In terms of virtual lobbies, casino and poker are subject to 15% taxation on gross wins. However, the industry is prospering and growing.

Sportsbook and racetracks are also legal in the state. Both offline and online, a 10% tax applies to the gross win from the activity.

What is more, residents of the state can enjoy lotteries, as well as charitable gambling. The latter is represented by raffles and Bingo. The state does not take a cut on raffles and sets the annual Bingo licensing fee at 500 USD. There may be some limitations on the frequency of events per organization, as well as on the venues.

Considering the vast market of online and offline gambling in West Virginia, several authorities regulate it simultaneously. The list includes West Virginia Lottery Commission, West Virginia Racing Commission, and West Virginia Charitable Organisations Division. These authorities rely on the West Virginia Code, Chapter 29, State Lottery Act 1985, Racetrack Video Lottery Terminal Act 1994, Limited Video Lottery Act 2001, and Racetrack Lottery Table Games Act.

The gambling age ranges between 18 for bingo (live and interactive), lottery, horse and dog race betting, and 21 for interactive gaming.

Land-Based Casinos in West Virginia

In West Virginia, both land-based and riverboat casinos are legal, and Tribal Casinos function, as well. What is more, if an operator has a license from the state, the brand is also allowed to offer interactive games online.

Within the state, land-based venues usually combine slots and table games with racetracks. The Gaming Act allows for a maximum of three casinos to be located in three different geographical locations and for one slots facility within the State.

There are, therefore, fewer than 10 gambling destinations to go to. This list includes The Casino Club at Greenbrier, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, and Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, among others. On average, a venue will have a couple of hundred slot machines, VLTs, and table games — roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker games.

Sports Betting in West Virginia

Sports betting, pari-mutuel, and simulcast betting, as well as racetracks, are allowed in the state. The racetracks are usually attached to casinos. While West Virginia can be celebrated as one of the most liberal states in terms of betting, it is also, unfortunately, one of the few remaining states in America to allow greyhound racing. Not only that but it is one of the few states where greyhound racing is active, with the racetrack fully functioning, and events being held on a regular basis.

If we are being more specific, the entire liberal and diverse gambling industry of West Virginia exists due to the fact that since the 1930s, the state worked hard on ways to maintain greyhound racing, and therefore, kept passing bills to strenghten and diversify the land-based venues.

On the other hand, more players today choose to gamble in casinos that are not tied to racetracks. This is why even in West Virginia, players tend to flock to the neighboring casinos of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Lotteries in West Virginia

Lotteries are managed by the state and residents of West Virginia can enjoy nationwide events like Powerball and Mega Millions. Plus, West Virginia is one of the few states that authorized limited video lotteries. They are set in standalone venues in residential city blocks, as well as in separate rooms in restaurants and other public venues. This allows the people to enjoy lotteries without leaving their neighborhoods as there is now roughly one lottery machine per every 200 residents.

In addition to VLTs and nationwide lottery events, West Virginians can enjoy local events, such as Pick 3.

All surplus from lotteries goes to fund public education, health, leisure, and tourism.