West Virginia has entered the list of states in the USA offering legal online gambling. It joins New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania as the only US states that currently offer online gambling. Michigan online casinos are scheduled to launch in 2021.
The announcement was made last week in a press release by DraftKings. In the release, DraftKings announces that it has launched its casino product in the mountain state. The launch was done in collaboration with Hollywood Casino at Charlestown Races in West Virginia. Players in West Virginia now have access to the DraftKings mobile app, DraftKings Casino by means of the sportsbook, as well as selected table games and slot machines.
Online Gaming Made Possible by DraftKings
The move proves to be another company milestone as DraftKings Casino and the DraftKings Sportsbook app is now live in 3 of the 4 mentioned states. The app has some great features which players at Charlestown Races in West Virginia can look forward to. Some of these features include a selection of 300+ slots and 60 popular table games. Betting amounts for all of these games start at $0.01 and there are no live dealer games yet.
West Virginia’s Journey to Legalizing Online Gambling
West Virginia first legalized online gambling in 2019 through the Interactive Wagering Act. The act allowed players who are 21 and older to participate in online poker and a variety of other casino games. Land-based casinos in the state like Wheeling Island Hotel, Hollywood Casino, Mountaineer Racetrack & Resort, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, and The Greenbrier have to apply for permits to offer these games. The permits or licenses cost about $250 000 and are renewable every five years at a cost of $100 000. The state of West Virginia does tax all revenue collected from the industry at 15%.
West Virginia Future Plans
The online gambling industry in the state looks promising for months to come. It is rumored that FanDuel Casino has plans to launch its casino product on the state as well.
DraftKings concludes the press release by stating that it remains faithful to the safety and well-being of all its customers. The company will continue to promote responsible gambling and provide support to players who use their services. Help is provided together with the National Council on Problem Gambling.
