West Virginia Online Poker

Online poker is legal but not yet operational in West Virginia.

The West Virginia online poker market has struggled to attract operators, but that will change soon, thanks to improved operating conditions. As a result, the first West Virginia poker sites could launch sometime in 2024.

A population of under two million stifled the West Virginia online poker market until recently. However, lawmakers have remedied that issue by joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) to significantly expand the player pool for future West Virginia poker sites.

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West Virginia Online Poker Launch Date

Current projections put the launch date of the first West Virginia poker sites sometime in 2024.

West Virginia has already cleared the most significant hurdles: legalizing online poker (2019) and joining MSIGA (2023). The two tasks that remain will take some time but are achievable over the near term:

  1. Operators must apply for and receive West Virginia online poker licenses
  2. Regulators must approve licensed poker sites to share player pools with other MSIGA member states

West Virginia Poker Sites

Several of the nation’s most prominent poker brands already have a presence in West Virginia via sports betting partnerships with local casinos. As a result, WV poker sites should launch relatively quickly once they receive regulatory approval.

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of PokerStars and FanDuel, is active in the West Virginia sports betting market through a partnership with The Greenbrier.

MGM Resorts International also has West Virginia ties through an agreement with The Greenbrier to offer online sports betting under the BetMGM brand. As a result, the partnership could foster the launch of BetMGM Poker in WV.

International online gambling operator 888 Holdings signaled its intent to launch an online poker platform in West Virginia before it was even sure the state would join the interstate poker agreement. 888 Holdings is the parent company of 888 Poker and WSOP.

Some of the most prominent online poker sites that could enter West Virginia include:

  • WSOP Poker West Virginia: WSOP Online Poker is a reputable operator that would offer West Virginia players the advantage of tapping into its existing multi-state network. PokerStars has expressed an interest in the West Virginia market since lawmakers agreed to join MSIGA.
  • BetMGM Poker West Virginia: BetMGM is a strong candidate because it runs the PartyPoker US Network and offers legal online poker in several states via three skins: BetMGM Poker, PartyPoker, and Borgata Poker. Additionally, BetMGM is in good standing with West Virginia regulators as a licensed sportsbook operator.
  • PokerStars West Virginia: PokerStars is the biggest name in online poker worldwide and is already operational in multiple states.
  • PartyPoker West Virginia: PartyPoker could enter West Virginia, but it seems more likely that BetMGM Inc. will prioritize launching under the BetMGM Poker brand due to name recognition in the state.
  • Borgata Poker West Virginia: Borgata Poker is another BetMGM Inc. asset and is less likely to enter West Virginia for the reason discussed above.
  • GGPoker: GGPoker is a rapidly growing international brand that has turned its eyes to the US market.

West Virginia Interstate Poker

West Virginia joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in November 2023, significantly improving its odds of attracting prominent operators like BetMGM Poker and WSOP Poker.

Joining MSIGA was crucial in making West Virginia a viable online poker market. West Virginia’s sub-two million population isn’t enough to sustain a healthy online poker ecosystem singlehandedly, but MSIGA membership makes that a nonissue.

Now, West Virginia can approve licensed poker sites to share player pools with other MSIGA members. For example, BetMGM Poker could enter West Virginia and seat West Virginians at tables with players from Michigan and New Jersey.

Current MSIGA membership consists of the following:

  • Delaware
  • Michigan
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • West Virginia

West Virginia Online Poker Laws

The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act provides the legal foundation for online poker in West Virginia. It establishes licensing guidelines for operators and their employees, responsible gambling standards, and more.

Subsequent regulations adopted by the West Virginia Lottery Commission provide more specific guidelines for operators regarding minimum server security standards, private information security, proper recordkeeping, etc.

In short, West Virginia online poker is a tightly regulated industry. Operators must acquire proper licensing, host fair games, and support responsible gambling habits. In addition, poker site employees must receive training to identify and respond to signs of gambling addiction.

Per state regulations, WV online poker operators must provide simple mechanisms for players to self-exclude for periods of at least 72 hours and establish daily, weekly, and monthly limits on deposits, amount wagered, and time spent playing.

Poker sites must also provide training to employees covering five subject areas:

  • How to recognize the signs of problem gambling
  • How to assist players in finding information for problem gambling assistance
  • How to provide information to players about self-exclusion options
  • How to respond to players who express concerns they have a gambling problem
  • How to respond to family members and friends who are concerned a loved one may have a gambling problem

State law requires licensed poker sites to collect personal information from all customers for identity and location verification.

Some new players may find it uncomfortable to share certain information with operators, but WV regulations require operators to collect those details to prevent fraud, underage access, and confirm the identity of every customer.

Per state law, West Virginia online poker sites must collect the following details from every new player:

  • Legal name and date of birth
  • Residential address and phone number
  • E-mail address
  • Entire or last four digits of each customer’s SSN
  • “Any other information” necessary to confirm each player’s identity

Poker sites crosscheck the above information with government databases to confirm each new customer is who they say they are. In addition, poker sites use geolocation technology to ensure players are within state lines when playing real-money poker cash games and tournaments.

A significant portion of West Virginia’s gambling regulations deals with protecting customers’ private information and ensuring the integrity of online poker in WV.

Some of licensed operators’ many duties include:

  • Establish user access controls for employees
  • Maintain systems that automatically detect signs of collusion and suspicious behavior
  • Require players to create complex passwords
  • Demonstrate the ability to maintain hardware, software, and data integrity in the event of a shutdown
  • Ensure secure communications between players and poker servers

West Virginia regulations outline the types of deposit methods poker sites may accept:

  • Online banking
  • Credit and debit card
  • In-person cash deposits at local casinos
  • Reloadable prepaid cards
  • ACH transfers
  • Any other method approved by the WV Lottery Director

Live West Virginia Poker Rooms

Three of West Virginia’s five land-based casinos feature poker rooms.

  • Hollywood Casino Poker Room: Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races features a 16-table poker room, open Wednesday through Sunday until 3 AM or 4 AM each week. The poker room spreads no-limit Texas Holdem, fixed-limit Holdem, pot-limit Omaha, pot-limit Omaha 8/b, and fixed-limited Omaha 8/b.
  • Mardi Gras Casino Poker Room: The Mardi Gras Casino poker room is open Wednesday through Saturday each week until 2 AM. The poker room features up to five tables on weekdays and up to 10 tables on Fridays and Saturdays. Fixed-limit and no-limit games start at $1/$2.
  • Wheeling Island Poker Room: The poker room at Wheeling Island Casino is open Thursday through Saturday each week until 3 AM. Players will find tournaments and cash games for no-limit Texas Holdem, fixed-limit Texas Holdem, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha.
  • (Closed) The Greenbrier Poker Room: The Casino Club at The Greenbrier had a six-table poker room open to members and hotel guests. Recent trip reports from visitors indicated action at the poker room was sporadic due to the Casino Club’s semi-private nature. The Greenbrier has since closed its poker room indefinitely.
  • (Closed) Mountaineer Casino Poker Room: Mountaineer Casino closed its poker room in mid-2020 and hasn’t reopened it since.

West Virginia Online Poker FAQ

Yes, but no poker sites have launched to date. However, two operators have expressed intentions to offer online poker in West Virginia sometime soon, and several others may eventually follow suit. BettingUSA will update this page when the first WV poker sites launch.

Not yet. However, PokerStars has stated it sees the West Virginia market more favorably since joining MSIGA. In the meantime, players near the border can cross into Pennsylvania to play at PokerStars PA.

The odds of PokerStars West Virginia launching have increased significantly since regulators have agreed to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.

No. State law does not require residency to participate in online poker in WV. After the first WV poker sites launch, anyone 21 or older will be welcome to play online for as long as they are physically located within state lines.

West Virginia online poker could launch sometime in 2024, but the timeline depends on operators and regulators.

West Virginia law has everything in place for operators to apply for licenses and offer online poker, but none have taken advantage of the opportunity to date. However, West Virginia has become a more viable market since joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows poker sites to share player pools with other states.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates online poker, casino games, and sports betting. State law and additional regulations establish the regulatory framework and licensing process.

All players must be 21 or older to participate.

West Virginia does not yet have any legal poker sites. However, BettingUSA will update this page when the first operators receive online poker licenses. BettingUSA maintains a strict, no-exception policy to recommend safe, legal, and licensed poker sites exclusively.

It will be once the state’s first legal poker sites launch. The West Virginia Lottery Commission provides strict oversight of online poker to ensure security and fairness.

Under WV law, licensed poker sites must:

  • Verify all users’ ages and identities
  • Ensure safe and secure deposits and withdrawals
  • Segregate operational funds from players’ funds
  • Ensure fair gameplay