WOYALE.
What's legal
West Virginia began legal sports betting in 2018, when a new law made sports wagering a West Virginia Lottery game. The Lottery Commission may issue up to five operator licenses, and each goes to a licensed gaming facility: the state's racetrack and resort casinos. A license covers betting at the facility and on any mobile app the Commission approves. You must be at least 21 to place a bet.
Online betting started in August 2019. The Lottery publishes a Sports Wagering License List, dated October 15, 2026 in its current version. It names ten management services providers. One is Kambi, a technology supplier, so nine consumer sportsbook brands remain. The list also names the suppliers, from payment processors to data feeds, that work with them.
Before you deposit, compare any book with that list. The Lottery also runs a self-exclusion program for people who want to block themselves from betting.
Crypto and offshore sites
West Virginia-licensed apps use standard payment methods. Licensed US sportsbooks generally do not take crypto deposits, and West Virginia law does not create a separate crypto route. Under the Sports Wagering Act, no one may run sports wagering in the state without the licenses the statute requires.
A crypto sportsbook that is not on the Lottery's list holds no West Virginia license. Offshore sites sometimes point to the state's long record of legal betting to look established. That record belongs to the licensed operators, and only they can lawfully take a West Virginia bet.
What's changing
The Lottery's license list shows bet365 receiving its annual license with Commission approval on July 29, 2026. It is the newest consumer brand on the list.
Tax note
West Virginia starts from your federal adjusted gross income, so gambling winnings are taxed as income at the state's graduated rates. The state allows a subtraction for gambling losses up to your winnings, for West Virginia gambling only and only if you itemized on your federal return.
Federal tax applies to winnings at your ordinary rate, and large payouts can bring a W-2G. Keep records of wins and losses. The Woyale tax guides show a worked example, and a tax professional can address West Virginia.
Common questions
Is online sports betting legal in West Virginia?
Yes, through operators licensed by the Lottery Commission. You must be 21 or older.
When did West Virginia start sports betting?
In-person betting began in 2018, and mobile betting followed in August 2019.
Can I use crypto on a West Virginia sportsbook?
Licensed books generally do not take crypto. A site that does is likely offshore and unlicensed.