By Jane Shaw
Editor at Casinos.US
Updated: September 13, 2024
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she's our gambling tech expert. Jane's also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
West Virginia casinos have been around for a while, and several resorts have established themselves as worthwhile tourist destinations. Specifically, there are five establishments that offer full-fledged casino gaming in West Virginia, available to all residents of the state. For your convenience, we have marked them on the interactive map, giving you a clear idea of where each is located. This will allow you easily see which venue is the closest to you and help you plan accordingly.
There are a total of five casino establishments in West Virginia, spread out in various border cities. During the selection process, the licenses went to established US gambling companies. As a result, the West Virginia casino resorts are run by experienced corporations. Two of these stand out as the best casinos in West Virginia.
Multiple factors have contributed to our decision. Specifically, we chose these venues on account of the excellent service they offer. Visitors are treated not only to prime-quality gambling games but also to numerous entertainment options. Moreover, these establishments have the capacity to deliver an amazing experience, regardless of whether you are a gambler or not. In a separate ranking, we have listed the top real money online casinos in West Virginia that are worth considering.
If you are looking to find a Las Vegas-worthy casino experience, you might want to visit the largest West Virginia casinos or play from your mobile app at the online DraftKings Casino in WV, for example. Generally, the size of the gaming hall dictates the number of games a casino can host. Large venues are equipped to offer premium gambling options, including high-limit table games and poker rooms, but when you play online, you can find over a thousand games on a website.
Below, we have listed the biggest WV casinos, along with their respective number of table games. We took into consideration all gaming options, both slots and table games. Moreover, the availability of other gambling products also factored into our decision. At the venues below, you will find everything you need for a glamorous gaming experience.
Tribal casinos are those on Indian reservations that are owned, run, managed, and regulated by the governing body of the respective tribe. Tribal casinos are normally established by a tribe or conglomerate of tribes as a way of generating revenue that then supports the community by being allocated to things such as education, healthcare, job creation, and more. West Virginia does not play host to any Tribal casinos but offers four fantastic racinos and a commercial casino you’re bound to love.
A 'racino' is a casino based around a race track that hosts regular horse races for para-mutual wagering as well as certain types of casino gaming. The racinos available in West Virginia give you the opportunity to witness horse races in person. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that is not available at most gambling venues. Of course, you can also try your luck at traditional casino games if you wish.
Of the four WV racinos, two stood out with an excellent betting service and the adjoining casino facilities. Specifically, the racinos in Charles Town and New Cumberland have been on the radar of any avid horse racing fan since they opened for business. Therefore, it is only logical for us to recommend them.
| Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | Charles Town | 0.75, | Thoroughbred (Grade II) | N/A | Read Our Review Visit Website |
| Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort | New Cumberland | 1 Dirt Track 0.875 Turf Course, | Thoroughbred (Grade II) | 7400 | Read Our Review Visit Website |
Riverboat and cruise ship casinos are a special kind of gambling business operated on a ship or another type of vessel. These came about as means to skirt local gambling laws in states where gambling was illegal. There was some variation in how they were run, but they were prevalent in jurisdictions where casinos were not available.
West Virginia has no need for such workarounds since casino gaming is fully regulated and legal. As such, gamblers can freely visit a venue of their choice without having to leave dry land. If you want to experience the joys of playing slots or table games out at sea, you can find plenty of cruises in neighbouring states. Virginia Beach, VA, is the docking location of several such cruises.
All five establishments for gambling in West Virginia have been listed below. Four of them are racinos, offering both horse racing and casino gambling, as well as other gaming products. Looking at the different casinos, we see that certain ones are aimed at particular players. Generally, most casinos are open between 09:00 AM to 04:00 AM, except The Greenbrier, which has varying working hours.
If you are thinking of visiting one of these resorts, we advise checking its location on the West Virginia casinos map. Additionally, we would also pay attention to the number and types of games available, as well as the accommodation offers.
| All Casinos in Charles Town | ||||
| Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | 750 Hollywood Dr, Charles Town, 25414 | |||
| All Casinos in Cross Lanes | ||||
| Mardi Gras Casino & Resort | 1 Greyhound Dr, Cross Lanes, 25313 | |||
| All Casinos in New Cumberland | ||||
| Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort | 1420 Mountaineer Cir, New Cumberland, 26047 | |||
| All Casinos in Wheeling | ||||
| Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack | 1 S Stone St, Wheeling, 26003 | |||
| All Casinos in White Sulphur Springs | ||||
| The Greenbrier | 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, 24986 | |||
Currently, there are no plans for opening any new venues in West Virginia gambling cities. However, there has been a significant development recently. The state legalized web based gambling in 2019, and 2020 saw the launch of the first West Virginia casino sites. This is major news for WV gamblers, as they can now play from their desktop and mobile devices. On top of that, there are some very attractive casino bonuses and appealing welcome offers.
Gambling in West Virginia is perfectly legal, provided that you visit a licensed operator. The state currently permits all major forms of gambling, including casino gaming, sports betting, poker, and more. To obtain a permit, the operator must comply with responsible gambling policies.
To gamble at casinos, a WV resident needs to be 21 years old. However, the minimum age requirement for pari-mutuel and charitable gambling is only 18 years. See more important details in the table below:
| West Virginia Gambling Topics | Gambling Facts for West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Number of Casinos | 5 |
| Casino Types | Commercial, Racino |
| Casino Games Offered | Slots, Casino Poker, Poker Cash and Poker Tournaments, Roulette, Blackjack, Dice Games, Other Games, |
| Age | 21+ For Casinos, 18+ for para-mutual wagering and charitable gaming, |
| Smoking | Yes/No*, *Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each West Virginia casino |
| Drinking | Yes/No*, *Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served |
| Opening Hours |
24/7
,
Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
|
| Betting Limit | Min 0.01 – Max 1000 |
| Taxation of Winnings | Yes/No, for additional details click here |
West Virginia casinos offer many different and unique games so whether you’re looking for the best online poker websites or identify as a craps fan, a blackjack enthusiast, or a slots lover, there’s a variety for you at any one of the five casinos in WV. You can also take part in betting as well as a number of charitable games and the state lottery. The best part about playing these games in WV is that, except for the lottery, you won’t be taxed on your winnings from any of them! Here’s a compilation of games and notable details of each.
Additional DetailsThere are 61 poker tables spread between 5 poker rooms in WV
Additional DetailsHollywood Casino at Charles Town Races 16 table Poker cash tournaments and Mardi Grass Poker tournaments are hot popular among the people.
Additional DetailsMardi Gras is the number one go-to for roulette lovers.
Additional DetailsVideo Poker is particularly popular
West Virginia does not tax individuals on winnings made from gambling at a casino. The only taxable winnings are those made from the state lottery if the prize is above $5000. In this case, WV takes 6.5% as state tax in addition to the standard 24% federal income tax. For more on the federal tax, visit our homepage where we have a dedicated section on the taxation of gambling winnings.
The West Virginia state law is very tolerant of gambling compared to many other states and has been for a long time. Just about all forms of gambling are legal in West Virginia, including casino gaming, sports betting, horse and dog racing, poker, charitable gambling, and iGaming. WV has proven to be one of the most liberal states when it comes to the gambling industry. Below, we have outlined some of the most important gambling laws:
This law details that any person caught cheating at gaming is subject to serious penalty.
This law clearly states that only certain licensed companies have the right to offer gambling. Anyone not licensed and provisioned is offering illegal gambling.
This law states that any who knowingly engage in gambling not permitted by the state are subject to penalty.
West Virginia has been on the gambling map for almost a hundred years already. Compared to other states, WV’s gaming history is fairly colourful due to the states more relaxed pre-disposition towards the idea of gambling and the laws that regulate it. Here’s a plat-by-play of all the developments that mattered in West Virginias gaming history.
Gambling was first legalized in West Virginia in 1931 through horse and dog races.
1931 Horse races and greyhound races were both legalised. This was the first form of legal gambling in the state and quickly became very popular indeed.
1984 In this year the people voted in favor of the state lottery and it was established. For ten years only normal tickets could be bought, but a decade after its founding, the lottery allowed for video tickets too. Following this, slots and video poker were permitted at the then four racetracks which later became full racino facilities.
1994-2001 After the legalization of video poker in 1994, the terminals quickly spread throughout the state in bars, restaurants, and other places. This was also happening in surrounding states at the time. Questions started to be raised about the legality of many of the machines and so most states increased regulations and the enforcement thereof. West Virginia, however, took a completely different approach, and fully legalized them in 2001.
2007 In 2007, live poker and table games were made legal and the existing casinos were given permission to offer them at their facilities.
2018 In March of 2018, sports betting was also legalized by the West Virginia state government. One year later the online gambling was legalized.
West Virginia has proven to be quite liberal where it concerns gambling. It is one of a handful of states to permit every major type of gambling – both online and at land-based venues. As of 2021, WV gamblers can legally take part in casino gaming, sports betting, horse race betting, poker, and more. Operators are licensed by the local West Virginia Lottery Commission. The only significant change we can expect is an increase in the number of available licenses.
All the casinos mentioned on this page are part of a major resort. Here, visitors can enjoy a wide range of entertainment and gambling options. Moreover, there are offers suitable for guests of all budgets. Below, we will explore the different resorts and potential organized trips.
There are five total West Virginia casino resorts, as mentioned previously on this page. Each of them offers visitors high-class accommodation and gambling products. What's more, they are conveniently located in border towns, close to nearby states. This way, they can attract both local and out-of-state players.
Aside from casino gaming, these resorts also provide numerous other entertainment options, such as sports, nightlife events, restaurants, and bars. There are a lot of activities to take part in if you are not a gambler or want a break from the tables. Below, we have listed the top West Virginia casino resorts:
| Number of Rooms | 710 |
|---|---|
| Price Range ($) | 319-545 |
| Special Packages | "3 for 2 Special" |
| Additional Services | SPA, Pool, Golf Course |
| Number of Rooms | 354 |
|---|---|
| Price Range ($) | 79-229 |
| Special Packages | "One Club Members Redemption Deal" |
| Additional Services | Spa, Fitness, Golf |
| Number of Rooms | 153 |
|---|---|
| Price Range ($) | 199-329 |
| Special Packages | "Payback Fridays" |
| Additional Services | Fitness, Business Centre, Banquet Room |
Casino tours can be fun if you are in the mood for some serious gambling. Certain companies and casinos are more than happy to arrange transportation to a certain venue. This leaves all the planning to a third party, allowing you to fully enjoy yourself. As far as WV casino tours, players seem especially fond of organizing tours to the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town. See more details below:
| Provider | CTA | Trips | Packages |
|---|---|---|---|
| James River Transportation | Visit Website |
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| Hollywood Casino at Charlestown Races | Visit Website |
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Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide only accurate and up-to-date information, please be aware that casinos.us shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the offer packages or other details listed. For instance, the best online casino bonuses in West Virginia change regularly.
| Capital | Charleston |
|---|---|
| Largest Cities | Weirton, Huntington, Wheeling |
| Size | 24 038 mi² |
| Population | 1,792 million |
| Time Zone | GMT-4 |
| Abbreviation | WV |
When all is said and done, West Virginia offers more gambling opportunities than most other states. It is perfectly legal to gamble at both web based and land-based locations in West Virginia. This makes the state a great gaming destination for any experienced gambler. While it does not enjoy the same glamorous reputation as Vegas or Atlantic City, West Virginia has more than enough to offer you. Here are some of the best features of WV casinos:
If this sound good to you, do not hesitate to book a room. Above, we have listed the top WV casinos, and you can find links to their respective websites. From there, you will have no issue in finding the casino resort for you.