Casinos in West Virginia – WV Gambling Destinations Overview

Map of Casinos in West Virginia

West Virginia has a long history with casinos; now, five resorts have established themselves as must-see tourist destinations. These casinos offer full-fledged gaming experiences for state residents, making them a popular choice for those looking to gamble. To make your trip planning easier, an interactive map has been created that shows the exact location of each of these casinos. You can see which casino is closest to you by checking out the map and plan your visit accordingly.

What Casino Types are Accessible in West Virginia?

There are five fully-fledged casinos in West Virginia, each offering an assortment of slots, table games, poker, and simulcast racing. Two of the five casinos host live horse racing meets.

Most towns in the state have some kind of gambling in the form of video lottery machines, which offer players a convenient way to gamble without going online or to their closest brick-and-mortar casino. The Mountain State was also the first state in the Appalachians to offer a state lottery, which is available to anyone over the age of 18.

Players have access to all WV online casinos that have partnered with some of the land-based casinos to offer legalized online gambling in the state, including BetMGM casino WV, FanDuel, Caesars, and more. Unlike many states in the US with legalized gambling, there are no Indian casinos in the West Virginia gambling scene.

Complete List of Casinos in West Virginia

Are you looking to make a trip to your nearest brick-and-mortar casino for some live-action fun? Below are mini-reviews of the five legal land-based casinos available to players in the Mountain State.

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

Established in 1933 as a racetrack to serve the newly legalized racing market, Hollywood Casino now offers a range of amenities options with five bars and eateries, sports betting, and live entertainment. The venue also has a large Event Center capable of holding around 1,500 people, along with a 153-room hotel with prices starting at $110 per night.

The gaming floor at Hollywood Charles Town Hotel Casino opened in 1997 and is the largest in the state, clocking in at a whopping 184,000 square feet. The casino floor is also home to the largest selection of games, with over 1,900 slot machines, 70 table games, and a live poker room.

Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack

Opened way back in 1866 as a racetrack, Wheeling Island has been operating as a casino since 1994 and now offers a range of attractions and amenities, effectively functioning as a casino resort.

The casino floor, which measures almost 100,000 square feet, is home to 1,100 video machines that cover everything from slots, bingo, keno, and video poker, as well as 24 table games and a nine-table poker room for games like Texas Hold’em.

The hotel-casino offers five bars and eateries, from casual drinks to fine dining. Events such as live music, comedy shows, weddings, and more are held in the Showroom, an event hall accommodating up to 1,000 guests.

Those looking to stay over can find accommodation at the 151-room hotel, with standard rooms starting at around $90 and which come with access to an indoor pool, fitness center, and other creature comforts.

The Greenbrier Casino

The Greenbrier, originally opened in 1858, is now a 5-star hotel resort and casino, with over 700 rooms, a golf course, spa, fitness center, swimming pools, and more.

Prices for a one-night stay at the resort range from around $289 per night for small guest rooms to $2,795 per night for the largest estates.

The 103,000-square-foot Greenbrier casino is home to around 320 slot machines and over 35 table games, including blackjack, poker, craps, and more. While the casino doesn’t have a racetrack, it does offer live racing through simulcast. Access to the Greenbrier Casino is only available to hotel guests and Casino Club members, and there is a strict formal dress code in place at all times.

Mardi Gras Casino & Resort

Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, also known as the Tri-State Racetrack, opened its doors in 1985 as a greyhound racetrack with year-round racing and transitioned into a casino in 2002.

The 90,000-square-foot gaming space houses over 900 slots and 30 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker. The 24-table poker room is home to daily tournaments and other cash games.

Those looking to stay on-site will find a 150-room hotel, complete with a gym, swimming pools, and a business center. Prices for basic rooms at the hotel start at around $100 per night.

If all that racing and slot machine action makes you hungry, the resort has four restaurants, including fine French cuisine, and a cocktail bar with live music and entertainment.

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort

Established as a thoroughbred racetrack and welcoming bettors since 1951, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort is now a one-stop shop for gambling and entertainment.

The racetrack holds meetings between April and November, with simulcast racing available year-round. If racing isn’t your thing, the 70,000-square-foot gaming floor contains over 1,500 slot machines, table games, and a live-action poker room.

The hotel contains over 350 guest rooms and suites starting at around $130 per night, with a spa, conference hall, gift shop, pool, and gym on site. Hungry visitors can choose to grab something at one of six bars, lounges, and restaurants.

Entertainment is a big deal at Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia, with The Harv seating up to 1,200 visitors for live music, comedy, conventions, and more.

Gambling Regulations in West Virginia

Below is some general information about gambling regulations in West Virginia that players may find helpful.

WV Gambling Regulatory Bodies

The West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC) is the main regulatory body governing most gambling activities across the state, including casinos and online gaming. However, horse and greyhound racing is regulated by the West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC).

Regulatory Bills

Two primary bills govern how land-based casinos operate in West Virginia. First, the West Virginia Racetrack Video Lottery Act (1994) originally allowed the installation of video lottery terminals at each of the state’s five casinos, eventually leading to them becoming the racinos we know today.

Seven years later, the state passed the West Virginia Limited Video Lottery Act (2001) to offer similar licensing and regulations for smaller venues like clubs and bars.

WV Legal Gambling Age

The minimum age for gambling in WV depends on what activity a player is gambling on. For Horse Racing at the racetrack or through simulcast, the state lottery, charitable gaming, and scratch-offs, the minimum age is 18. For everything else, including casino gaming and online gambling, the minimum age is 21.

Taxation on Gambling Winnings

While the state of West Virginia doesn’t collect any taxes directly from players, those who gamble without proper identification will be subject to a 6.5% withholding on their winnings.

Even though the state doesn’t tax players directly, players still must report any gambling income under the other income section on Form 1040 on their federal income tax return.

If a player wins a significant amount, they will be required to complete a Form W-2G, and the operator may withhold up to 24% from their winnings as a backup to ensure taxes are paid on the win. The number that constitutes a significant win varies from game to game, with slot machine wins withheld starting from $1,200.

History of Gambling in WV

Are you interested in the history of gambling legalization in West Virginia? Here are some of the most important dates and facts you should know:

Mountain State Casinos in Summary

West Virginia’s five licensed land-based casinos come in all shapes and sizes, with budget-friendly options such as Wheeling Island, to five-star luxury at The Greenbrier. In addition, the state has two standout thoroughbred horse racing venues and plenty of slots, table games, and poker available at all five casinos.