18+ West Virginia Casinos
Domestic Casinos In West Virginia Are 21+- Online West Virginia Casinos Available Offshore At 18
- Four Horse Race Track Casinos In WV (Racinos) And One Retail Location
The southernmost northern state provides residents with legal gambling options such as local West Virginia casinos, state-run lotteries, charity gambling, several small commercial casinos, racinos, and betting at thoroughbred and greyhound racetracks, as well as betting through off-track facilities.
This Mountaineer State has a previous history with gambling dating back to the 1800s, during which WV was fascinated with horse races. This state was created by the Civil War after succeeding from the then confederate state, Virginia. To this day, the divide and distinction between the two states remain solidified by the large mountains that separate them.
The Mountaineer State’s landscape and rich resources played a key role in its development, as salt and coal miners came to live and work in West Virginia. Most of these individuals were introduced to gaming, particularly sports betting on horses, during the early 1800s.
While West Virginia still preserves its sports betting heritage through legal horse and dog racing available to adult players, state occupants and visitors who wish to enjoy casino gambling must be of legal drinking age. This means that casinos, table games, and slots are restricted to older gamblers.
However, players just becoming adults in the eyes of the law may legally participate in casino gambling through legal offshore online casinos, of which we feature in this WV guide. These legal 18+ casinos are accessible to West Virginia players and their guests who meet the minimum age requirement of eighteen and offer a variety of table games, specialty games, poker, sports betting, and slot games.
Can You Gamble At 18 In West Virginia?
At the age of eighteen players can purchase lottery tickets, scratch-offs, and play at video lottery terminals. WV players, this young, can also participate in charity gambling at bingo halls and buy raffles. They may also bet on horse and dog races in player pools either at live tracks or off-track betting locations.
However, to enjoy playing at racinos or electronic machines at racetracks, table games, and casino gambling, players must be 21 years old or older. Often, WV players jump state lines to other states that offer 18+ casino gambling and indulge in real money games within another state’s casino.
However, this means players must also learn what gambling laws are applicable within that state and what games are strictly outlawed. Understanding 18+ casino gambling laws is ever more crucial in this case scenario.
Is It Legal To Gamble Online In West Virginia In 2024?
Yes, it remains legal for Mountaineer State players to participate in legally licensed and sanctioned internationally-based online casinos. This is due to WV state laws that do not seem concerned with individuals gambling at legal offshore internet sites but rather strictly forbid residents from accessing unregulated West Virginia-run sites and illegal, unlicensed offshore gaming destinations.
This is to say that West Virginia players who are at least 18 can legally gamble at legal sites so long as they are located offshore and regulated by a legitimate authority in the gaming community.
Most Reputable 18+ Casinos For West Virginia Players In 2024
This list features significant and reputable legal online brands within the industry. The brands below all host games for the US market with little restrictions on who may play.
The online gaming destinations presented here are all located outside of the US and hold current licensing and credentials and optimize using the most secure technology to protect player information and ensure smooth gaming. We hand-picked these brands due to their top-rated security, outstanding performance, exceptional customer service, and multiple banking methods.
| Site Name | Bonus | Age | USA | Visit Site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 400% Max $10,000 | 18+ | Play Now | |
| 2 |  | 150% Max $10,000 | 18+ | Play Now | |
| 3 |  | 150% Max $3,000 | 18+ | Play Now |
What West Virginia Casinos Are 18 and Up?
Unfortunately, all the casinos located in West Virginia only allow patrons over the age of 21 at this time. Residents and visitors over the age of 18 can legally play online casino games from licensed offshore sites like the ones listed in this guide.
Legal Land-Based Gambling Destinations In WV
- The Greenbrier
- Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races*
- Mountaineer Casino Resort*
- Mardi Grass Casino & Resort*
- Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack*
* Located at pre-established racetracks
Brief History Of West Virginia’s Gaming Laws
West Virginia had a mixed population of European immigrants arriving during the 1700s and early 1800s, which more than likely introduced gaming to settlers of the land. It is safe to assume that gambling was a pastime for civilians and miners in the area.
Horse racing became a popular sport that was introduced by aristocrats, which surprisingly transcended social barriers within WV and involved spectators of all classes. Women often outnumbered men as onlookers, regardless of the many churches condemning the sport.
However, in 1863, West Virginia banned all forms of gambling.
In the 1870s, exceptions were made for pari-mutuel betting on race activities.
In 1931, the West Virginia Racing Commission was created to oversee pari-mutuel betting.
By 1986, WV approved and began running a state lottery.
In 1994, the Racetrack Video Act allowed for ‘slots’ or Video Lottery games at racetracks and bars. Casinos and riverboats were also legalized this year and permitted them to offer class II games.
In 2001, the Limited Video Lottery Act outlawed pre-existing Video Poker Machines and limited the number of Video Lottery Machines at bars, casinos, and racetracks to no more than 9,000.
In 2007, table games were legalized at racetracks and throughout smaller casinos within WV.
In 2017, WV introduced HB 3067, its first state-regulated online gambling bill. This bill says that WV is keeping an open mind and will possibly serve its own iGaming platform. This bill was introduced March 14 and has then been referred to multiple committees.
18+ Online Casinos For West Virginia Residents
Our provided table of legally verified 18+ online casinos for Mountaineer State players is recommended for their high safety precautions, secure platform, and authentic gaming experience. In this guide, we only include brands that are in good standing with the gaming community and licensed by authoritative jurisdictions.
West Virginia players can rest easy knowing our team of leading gaming experts has personally verified and vetted each brand for quality and security standards.
FAQs
What Is The Minimum Legal Gambling Age In West Virginia?
West Virginia’s minimum gambling age ranges from 18-21. At eighteen, residents and visitors can play the lottery, scratchers, at video lottery terminals, and participate in charitable gambling like bingo and raffles, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races. However, patrons must be at least 21 to gamble at a WV racino, play table games, on electronic machines, or at a casino.
Is It Safe For WV Players To Gamble At Internet Casinos?
It is only safe for WV players to gamble at legal offshore online casinos. This is why we have already verified legal sites accessible to Mountaineer State players 18 and over as many online brands either do not serve Americans or accept players as young as 18.
Our recommendations are subjected to heavy regulatory oversight by the international community and operate under legitimate jurisdictions that meet US federal requirements and deem these online destinations as legal venues.
Are Online Casinos Fair?
This answer is dependent on whether the online casino complies with fair gaming practices and utilizes random number generation technology, these two key elements ensure that an online casino hosts fair games which produce authentic results.
Land-based casinos use this same technology and are expected to comply with such policies in order to remain in good standing. All of the online brands we provide utilize RNGs and present their compliance certifications at the bottom of their homepage for players to view.
Which Online Casinos Permit West Virginia Players 18+?
The online casinos we present are legal sources of gaming entertainment that West Virginia players 18 and over can enjoy without worry. These brands are the safest and most reliable to be found online while meeting every requirement for legality.
Not every casino found online will provide comparable security measures, game quality, selection variety, accessibility, and legal standing as our recommended list does. Some online gaming sites do not serve players as young as eighteen or even US residents.
Where Can I Find A Poker Or Sports Betting Site That Permits West Virginia Players 18 And Over?
We can gladly provide three sites that offer both sports betting and poker options, as well as, host their own real money casino games. WV players aged eighteen and over can access these sites and register for their services. Not only that, but some of the brands we listed earlier also provide their own sports betting and poker options. However, these brands featured below offer exclusive bonuses to players who create an account on their sites.
- Betonline Sportsbook – 50% Bonus Max $1,000
- Sportsbetting.ag – 50% Bonus Max $1,000