West Virginia Online Gambling Revenue: A Growing Trend

In 2023, online casinos from six US states made nearly $2 billion. Although West Virginia has one of the smaller online casino markets, the state pulled in about $13 million in revenue for April, a solid 51.6% increase from 2022. 

While West Virginia’s online casino scene is relatively small, it’s worth noting that the state’s sports betting industry raked in over $22 million in revenue.

In the following section, discover the yearly statistical data of West Virginia’s Online gambling revenue.

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Highlights of the Article

  • After legalizing sports betting, West Virginia’s online casinos saw a total handle of $46 million and generated $6 million in revenue in 2018.
  • In 2019, online gambling in the state totaled $482 million, with online sports betting and iGaming contributing 24.3%.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 16% drop in gambling revenue in 2020.
  • Hollywood Casino was the top performer in 2019, earning $12 million in revenue.
  • Despite the pandemic, West Virginia excelled in 2020, accumulating over $400 million in sports wagers.
  • The state’s total gambling earnings reached $769.2 million in 2022.
  • In February 2022, online casinos in West Virginia achieved a milestone with $12.4 million in revenue, led by BetMGM and FanDuel.
  • The West Virginia Lottery exceeded expectations, with total gross sales of nearly $1.3 billion in the fiscal year, surpassing projections by almost $290 million.

West Virginia Online Gambling Revenue Quick Look

Here is the breakdown of revenue contribution from the licensees of West Virginia’s sports betting as of June 4, 2023.

LicenseeHandleRevenueHoldTaxes
Hollywood Charles Town$930,895,683$78,167,4758.4%$7,816,748
The Greenbrier$757,023,660$63,532,2278.4%$6,353,221
Mountaineer$192,236,837$14,229,1807.4%$1,422,919
Mardi Gras$44,520,863$3,882,1178.7%$388,212
Wheeling Island$30,551,350$3,440,82811.3%$344,084
TOTAL$1,955,228,393$163,251,8278.3%$16,325,184

Online Gambling Industry Earnings in West Virginia in 2023

west virginia gambling revenue

West Virginia’s online gambling revenue exhibited a consistent pattern of growth and strength, each month either setting new records or maintaining high revenue levels. 

This report highlights West Virginia’s online casino revenue performance from February to July, demonstrating a trend of growth and resilience in the online gambling sector.

*Note: All revenue figures are presented as estimates and may be subject to rounding.*

FEBRUARY 2023 – $13.1 Million
West Virginia set a new record for its online casino revenue, generating $13.1 million, a significant 39% increase compared to the $8 million earned in the same month of the previous year.
MARCH 2023 – $14.3 Million
March saw continued growth, as West Virginia’s online casinos reported a combined revenue of $14.3 million, reaching another high point.
APRIL 2023 – $13 Million
April’s revenue amounted to approximately $13 million, reflecting year-on-year growth of 51.6%. Despite the typical month-on-month decline of around $1.2 million, the year-over-year increase remained impressive.
MAY 2023 – $13.5 Million
While April often experiences a decline in revenue, May tends to hold steady. The expected revenue range for May ranged from $12.5 million to $13.5 million, considering historical trends and minimal fluctuations compared to April.
JUNE 2023 – $18 Million
From May 6 to June 2, West Virginia experienced a remarkable surge in revenue, generating $18 million from internet casino gambling. It marks a substantial increase from the $7.7 million reported last year.
JULY 2023 (LATEST) – $14 Million
Additionally, online casinos in West Virginia achieved a remarkable milestone by generating over $14 million in revenue in July, making it the second-best month.

In the latest month, the most prominent players in the market are the following companies:

  • The Greenbrier (FanDuel, BetMGM, and Golden Nugget) – $3.8 million (45%)
  • Charles Town (DraftKings and PointsBet) –  $3.8 million (33%)
  • Mountaineer (BetRivers and Caesars) – $1.9 million (17%)

Casino games like slots, blackjack, and poker were typically among the most prevalent gambling types wagered on in West Virginia’s gambling industry. 

The table below will give a clear overview of West Virginia’s online gambling revenue, presenting yearly progress data for the total handle, revenue, hold, and tax.

YearTotal HandleRevenueHold %State Tax Revenue
2018$46,425,862$6,548,00814.10%$654,802
2019$226,027,134$19,142,3758.47%$1,914,239
2020$414,855,266$28,521,7116.88%$2,852,172
2021$544,529,835$44,787,8078.23%$4,478,777
2022$545,229,630$47,495,9478.48%$4,749,595
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From record-setting months to year-on-year comparisons, the following sections provide an insightful narrative of West Virginia’s online gambling industry.

2018: West Virginia Legalizes Online Gambling

Legalization of Sports betting in the US courtroom

Sports betting’s popularity surged after being legalized in 2018, following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal ban.

During the fiscal year of July 2017 to June 2018, West Virginia casinos introduced five new sportsbooks.

  • $38 million in tax revenue from table games
  • $253 million from video lottery terminals (VLTs) in casinos
  • $600,000 from sports betting

Online Casinos

(Springer)

During the fiscal year 2018, the collective revenue generated from table games in West Virginia reached an impressive $105 million. 

Within this total, the Greenbrier Casino contributed $5 million from its table games offerings.

The $35 million in tax revenues generated from table games in FY 2018 underscores the economic impact of the gambling industry, providing funds for diverse sectors.

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Online Sports Bets

(Sports Betting Dime)

West Virginia achieved impressive results despite its late start in legalizing online casinos in late August 2018. 

Within five months, the state’s online casinos accumulated a total handle of $46 million and generated $6 million in revenue.

The following are the monthly breakdowns of the sports betting revenue during the year:

MonthHandleHandle Per CapitaRevenueHoldTaxes
Dec$15,183,234$11$2,396,96315.80%$239,696
Nov$13,826,231$10$1,207,3638.70%$120,736
Oct$11,147,951$8$854,9747.70%$85,497
Sept$7,333,626$6$1,967,31826.80%$196,732
Aug$305,192No Data$196,94564.50%$19,695

The West Virginia Lottery has released revenue information for licensed sports betting operators. This year, Hollywood Casino had the highest revenue:

LicenseeTotal HandleTotal RevenueState Tax
Hollywood$39,964,220$5,490,527$549,053

Online Lottery

(WV Lottery)

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, West Virginia’s Lottery sales exceeded $1 billion for the 16th consecutive year, despite competition from neighboring states. 

Sales reached nearly $1.1 billion, leading to a cash transfer of about $474.0 million to the state. 

The Lottery oversaw various gaming environments and products, contributing significant sums to the state:

  • $226.1 million from Racetrack Video Lottery
  • $186.2 million from Limited Video Lottery
  • $17.3 million from Racetrack Table Games
  • $2.4 million from the Historic Resort
  • $42.0 million from Traditional Lottery products

2019: WV’s Online Gambling Revenue Doubles

Online sports betting and iGaming accounted for 24.3% of West Virginia’s $482 million online gambling revenue in 2019.

West Virginia, the combined share of the revenue from online sports betting and iGaming accounted for approximately 24.3% of the total online gambling revenue.

For a detailed breakdown, listed below are the significant factors contributing to the 2019 online gambling revenue.

Online Casinos

(iGaming Business)

In West Virginia, legal sports gambling has happened for about six months. During this time, the casinos allowed to offer sports betting have made $10.1 million in earnings. 

Most of the money came from the Charles Town casino. People bet $68.6 million there, and the casino earned $7.5 million.

The Mountaineer Casino, owned by Eldorado Resorts, earned $1.2 million from bets worth $11.8 million.

From the end of December 2018 to early March 2019, the top 2 performing casinos, Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras, made $670,443.36 from people placing bets using mobile devices. 

The two casinos almost evenly split the money. Wheeling Island got $335,474.06 of the total, and Mardi Gras got $334,969.30.

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Did You Know?

The law in West Virginia permits several types of gambling, including:

  1. Pari-mutuel horse race betting.
  2. Online sports wagering.
  3. Daily fantasy sports competitions.
  4. Charitable bingo events.
  5. Online casino gaming.
  6. State-run lotteries.

To understand the extent of legalized gambling across the United States, we should explore which forms of gambling are not accessible within West Virginia.

Online Sports Bets

(Legal Sports Report)

West Virginia plays a big role in the USA’s online gambling earnings. Specifically, their online sports bets in WV brought in a revenue of $19,142,375.

Below is a breakdown of the monthly sports betting revenue for the entire year:

MonthHandleHandle Per CapitaRevenueHoldTaxes
Dec$34,159,637$26$2,709,5857.90%$270,959
Nov$35,268,743$27$1,884,3675.30%$188,437
Oct$32,833,393$25$3,197,8219.70%$319,782
Sept$27,508,921$21$4,119,45715%$411,946
Aug$11,563,468$9$1,536,86413.30%$153,686
Jul$6,944,761$5$694,93410%$69,493
Jun$7,925,849$6$425,2165.40%$42,522
May$9,429,073$7$719,0987.60%$71,910
Apr$10,978,040$8$699,1856.40%$69,918
Mar$15,088,168$11$1,818,63612.10%$183,773
Feb$16,845,338$13$228,2861.40%$22,829
Jan$19,740,035$15$1,400,9447.10%$140,094

In 2019, the top-performing casino, Hollywood Casino, generated the highest revenue of all casinos:

LicenseeTotal HandleTotal RevenueState Tax
Hollywood$146,532,582$12,727,511$1,272,749

Online Lottery

(WV Lottery)

In 2019, the West Virginia Lottery outperformed expectations for the 17th year by surpassing $1 billion in total revenue, even though forecasts projected around $997.7 million. 

Not only did the Lottery exceed its estimates, but it also generated $1.1 billion in revenue by the end of June 30, 2019. 

It increased almost $52.0 million from the previous year, resulting in $495.1 million in proceeds for the state. 

These operations contributed the following transfers to the state in FY 2019: 

  • $227.2 million from Racetrack Video Lottery
  • $198.3 million from Limited Video Lottery
  • $47.6 million from Traditional Lottery
  • $17.5 million from Racetrack Table Games
  • $2.8 million from the Historic Resort
  • $1.7 million from Sports Wagering

2020: Thriving in the Pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s challenges, West Virginia excelled in 2020 by accumulating over $400 million in sports wagers, showcasing an impressive 84 percent year-over-year growth.

West Virginia’s strategic advantage lay in its accessible online betting options, which allowed sports betting revenue to continue flowing. 

An overview of the 2019 revenue: here is the revenue generated from the different sectors.

Online Casinos

(Play WV)

West Virginia’s online casinos are experiencing steady growth, while sportsbooks have temporarily closed for the summer season.

July’s recent figures reveal a substantial income of $14.4 million, closely trailing June’s remarkable record. This upward trajectory in online casino revenue shows no signs of slowing down.

In June, operators achieved an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking monthly revenue of $16.4 million. 

In contrast, the state’s sports betting sector experienced a decline during the summer, with a recorded handle of $22.3 million in July. 

Due to the scheduling of major events like the NFL playoffs, March Madness, and NBA playoffs in the first half of the year, it represents a 13% drop compared to the previous year.

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Online Sports Bets

(Legal Sports Report)

2020 wasn’t smooth for the gambling industry, but West Virginia earned $28,521,711 in revenue despite difficulties and a state tax revenue of $2,852,172. 

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the sports betting revenue for each month:

Front View of the Greenbrier Casino
MonthHandleHandle Per CapitaRevenueHoldTaxes
Dec$61,566,896$46$5,499,9928.90%$549,999
Nov$52,271,787$39$4,886,5669.30%$488,657
Oct$49,997,860$38$3,950,3247.90%$395,032
Sept$67,610,819$51$4,129,5956.10%$412,960
Aug$45,185,356$34$2,294,3285.10%$229,433
Jul$15,072,228$11$1,522,24910.10%$152,225
Jun$6,147,910$5$541,0708.80%$54,107
May$5,466,523$4$576,70910.50%$57,671
Mar$14,901,577$11$1,118,2177.50%$111,822
Feb$40,914,714$31-$397,120-1%-$39,712
Jan$39,140,547$29$3,035,2537.80%$303,525

With a steady flow in revenue, the top-performing casino is The Greenbrier:

LicenseeOnline Brand(s)Total HandleTotal RevenueState Tax
The GreenbrierFanDuel | BetMGM$146,099,322$8,650,176$865,018

Online Lottery

(WV Lottery)

Doctors spreading awareness to the people

The Lottery’s earnings had varying trends in 2019 and 2020. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused a decrease in operating income in 2020, while an improved economy increased in 2019.

Here’s a concise overview:

  • Revenue: 2020 saw a $187.4 million (16.4%) decrease in earnings compared to the prior year, which had grown by $52.0 million (4.8%) from 2018.
  • Commissions: 2020’s commissions decreased by $93.4 million (19.2%) compared to the previous year, which had increased by $15.6 million (3.3%) from 2018.
  • Gross Profit: In 2020, gross profit dropped by $103.1 million (19.6%) from the prior year, which had risen by $21.9 million (4.3%) from 2018.
  • Non-operating Expenses: These decreased by $100.8 million (19.7%) in 2020 compared to the previous year

2021: WV’s Online Gambling Reaches New Heights

During the fiscal year 2021/2022, online gambling in West Virginia experienced a significant surge, reaching unprecedented levels.

Throughout this year, the online gambling sector in the state amassed a total revenue of $86.2 million

As a result, the government collected substantial taxes amounting to $12.9 million from this revenue stream. 

After accounting for various expenses and costs, the net profit the online gambling industry generated during this period stood at $11 million.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the major factors contributing to the 2021 revenue from online gambling.

Online Casinos

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the online casino industry in West Virginia had limited revenue in 2021.

Throughout April, a particularly critical period marked by the pandemic’s impact, the online casinos in the state struggled to surpass the $1.08 million revenue mark in any given week.

Here’s some positive news on the gambling industry’s recovery from the effects of COVID-19:

MonthRevenue% Change, Annual
April 2023$13,031,086.0952%
April 2022$8,598,548.74157%
April 2021$3,341,266.94N/A

In terms of year-on-year expansion, the figures for April 2023 in the state exhibited a 51% increase compared to the preceding year and an impressive surge of 290.0% compared to April 2021.

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Did You Know?

The US gambling industry rakes in billions of dollars annually, with a substantial contribution from online casinos. 

Nevertheless, regulatory oversight is limited, primarily in just a handful of states, including

  1. Michigan
  2. Delaware
  3. New Jersey
  4. Connecticut
  5. West Virginia
  6. Pennsylvania

Among the thousands of online casinos worldwide, it’s essential to know the number of registered online casinos within a given country and assess their respective revenue contributions to that nation’s economy.

Online Sports Bets

(Legal Sports Report)

Despite ongoing recovery efforts from the effects of COVID-19, West Virginia is achieving impressive milestones. 

The revenue from online sports betting alone has reached a significant total of $44,787,800, contributing a state tax revenue of $4,478,777. 

This progress underscores the state’s resilience and growth in facing challenges.

For detailed data on 2022’s online sports betting, here’s a table that includes the monthly statistics:

MonthHandleHandle Per CapitaRevenueHoldTaxes
Dec$64,710,557$49$5,159,2298%$515,923
Nov$88,190,136$66$6,983,1367.90%$698,314
Oct$68,074,615$51$3,160,5794.60%$316,058
Sept$52,193,627$39$6,128,57511.70%$612,858
Aug$26,131,251$20$2,685,27110.30%$268,527
Jul$21,290,275$16$2,295,74310.80%$229,574
Jun$28,054,400$21$3,318,27811.80%$331,828
May$28,264,642$21$2,928,37010.40%$292,837
Apr$28,995,033$22$2,241,9517.70%$224,195
Mar$45,917,290$35$4,311,2979.40%$431,130
Febr$38,015,260$29$1,024,2722.70%$102,427
Jan$57,103,775$43$4,891,2568.60%$489,126

A significant factor behind this achievement is the notable contribution from The Greenbrier. The casino and its operations have been key in driving this success:

LicenseeOnline Brand(s)HandleRevenueTaxes
The GreenbrierFanDuel | BetMGM$241,151,591$18,899,279$1,889,928

Online Lottery

(WV Lottery)

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in various aspects in 2020.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

  • Revenue: The 2021st lottery revenue went up by $222.2 million (23.3%) compared to the prior year, which had decreased by $187.4 million (16.4%) in 2020.
  • Commissions: Commissions in 2021 increased by $87.6 million (22.3%) compared to the prior year, which had decreased by $93.4 million (19.2%) in 2020.
  • Gross Profit: The gross profit in 2021 increased by $105.2 million (24.8%) compared to the prior year, which had decreased by $103.1 million (19.6%) in 2020.
  • Nonoperating Expenses: These increased by $165.1 million (40.1%) in 2021, which had decreased by $100.8 million (19.7%) in 2020. 

2022: The Unstoppable Growth of WV’s Online Gambling Industry

West Virginia’s gambling earnings amounted to $769.2 million from various sources, including casino slot machines, table games, sports betting, and online gambling.

Particularly striking is that these financial results mark a substantial 16.8% surge compared to the earnings reported in 2021.

Online Casinos

(Focusgn)

In February, online casinos in West Virginia achieved a noteworthy milestone by generating $12.4 million in revenue. It marked a substantial 55% increase compared to the same period in 2021. 

This performance set a fresh record for a single month in the state and extended a streak of five months where revenue exceeded $10 million. 

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The primary contributors to this success were BetMGM and FanDuel, which jointly accounted for $6.4 million in revenue, constituting 51.6% of the total. 

On the other hand, the five physical sportsbooks in West Virginia faced challenges, as they incurred a collective loss of over $500,000 from $4.3 million worth of bets.

In October, West Virginia’s online gambling revenue reached $7,397,951.25. 

Among the various games, blackjack emerged as the most popular, generating just over $2.5 million in revenue. 

Here’s a breakdown of the revenue from other table games in October:

  • Roulette: $928,128
  • Craps: $711,629
  • Mini Bac: $582,118.50
  • Three-Card Poker: $383,052
  • Poker: $341,657
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Online Sports Bets

(Pickwise, Legal Sports Report)

In 2022, sports betting has reached remarkable achievements, attaining a substantial revenue of $47,495,947 and associated taxes amounting to $4,749,595.

Below is a monthly breakdown of online sports betting data for the year 2022:

MonthHandleHandle Per CapitaRevenueHoldTaxes
Dec$58,705,514$44$8,060,61713.70%$806,062
Nov$72,947,153$55$5,521,7477.60%$552,175
Oct$56,968,266$43$5,427,0119.50%$542,701
Sept$49,859,709$38$7,217,91914.50%$721,792
Jul$25,769,135$19$2,706,04410.50%$270,604
Jun$30,145,409$23$2,066,9307%$206,693
May$40,439,679$30$3,748,2279.30%$374,823
Apr$2,465,138$2$129,5405.30%$12,954
Apr$38,655,331$29$3,067,7807.90%$306,778
Mar$55,672,438$42$3,117,5415.60%$311,754
Feb$48,476,816$37$1,904,4903.90%$190,449
Jan$65,125,042$49$4,528,1017.00%$452,810

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has claimed the top spot for 2022.

LicenseeOnline Brand(s)HandleRevenueTaxes
Hollywood Charles TownDraftKings | PointsBet | Barstool$378,617,621$28,984,91856.70%

Online Lottery

(WV Lottery)

In the fiscal year (FY) ending on June 30, 2022, West Virginia Lottery grossed nearly $1.3 billion, exceeding projections by almost $290 million.

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Side Note

The earnings for West Virginia’s Online Lottery scene in 2022 were massive, especially compared to other US states. Connecticut’s online lottery market produced just $503.5 million, which WV trumps by double.

Proceeds allocated to the State reached $545.7 million. Traditional lottery gaming and limited video lottery experienced growth, with LVL revenues reaching a record high of $490.9 million. 

Players, retailers, and casinos shared around $674.5 million in prizes and commissions from various gaming forms in FY 2022.

Gaming operations contributed as follows:

  • Traditional Lottery: $48.6 million
  • Racetrack Video Lottery: $213.0 million
  • Limited Video Lottery: $245.7 million
  • Table games: $17.8 million
  • Historic Resort at the Greenbrier: $3.1 million
  • Sports wagering: $3.9 million
  • Interactive wagering: $13.6 million

Statistics Behind West Virginia’s Online Gambling Scene

Legal online gambling is now allowed in six states, and there has been significant revenue growth in this sector of the gambling industry over the past two years.

West Virginia serves as a notable example of this trend. The state recently experienced a remarkable streak of four consecutive weeks where the revenue from online gambling exceeded $2.5 million.

The following section examines how West Virginia’s online gambling industry has thrived. Here’s some statistical data to illustrate the state’s growth.

1. West Virginia’s revenue increased by 625.35% from 2018 to 2022.

(Sports Betting Dime)

To give you an overview of West Virginia’s sports betting yearly progress, examine this table, which displays the total handle and revenue.

YearTotal HandleRevenue
2018$46,425,862$6,548,008
2019$226,027,134$19,142,375
2020$414,855,266$28,521,711
2021$544,529,835$44,787,807
2022$545,229,630$47,495,947

Based on the projection data, West Virginia’s revenue experienced a steady percentage growth rate of 625.35% from 2018 to 2022.

It indicates the state’s positive economic growth and stability in the coming years.

2. West Virginia sports betting flattens in FY 2022/2023. 

(Play WV)

Online casinos saw growth, but sports betting could have performed better. Most categories in sports betting remained stable, except for one that declined significantly from the previous year. 

Online sports betting saw a drop in activity, going from $482.3 million in FY 2021/2022 to $455.5 million. Retail sports betting decreased from $116.8 million to $71.6 million in FY 2022/2023. 

Despite the overall handle decreasing from $599.1 million to $527.1 million, the Mountain State’s revenue increased to $52.6 million from $44.8 million.

Additionally, the state collected $5.3 million in taxes, up from $4.5 million the previous year.

3. Greenbrier ranked 1st in online casino gaming revenue in 2021-2022.

(US Gaming Review)

According to WVLC data, the Greenbrier saw a significant increase in online casino revenue, reaching $46.1 million from July 2021 to June 2022, up from $16.6 million the previous year.

Similarly, Hollywood’s online casino revenue grew to $29.7 million during the same period, compared to $16.3 million in the prior year. Mountaineer lagged with $10.6 million in revenue, up from $902,000.

This pattern also extends to sports betting handles, with Greenbrier leading in hold from July 2021 to June 2022 with $1.3 billion, up from $468.1 million in the previous year. 

Hollywood’s handle increased to $985.6 million (up from $691.2 million), and Mountaineer managed $291.9 million in wagers (up from $18 million).

4. Racetrack video lottery outperforms bars and clubs in West Virginia for the first time since the pandemic onset.

(Yogonet)

In July, the racetrack video lottery surpassed the Limited Video Lottery (LVL) at bars and clubs in revenue, marking the first time since the pandemic began.  

LVL generated $42.09 million, a decline from March and April 2021, where numbers consistently exceeded $50 million.  

Meanwhile, The Greenbrier resort’s casino saw a significant uptick, raking in $970,000, reflecting a 62% increase from June. 

Overall, West Virginia’s Lottery reported gross revenue of $111.88 million for July, a notable increase of $6.4 million compared to June. 

The state’s share of Lottery profits in July amounted to $49.79 million, a $360,000 rise from the previous month.

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Did You Know?

In the first quarter of 2023, the United States achieved a substantial revenue of $4 billion from online gaming and sports betting.
West Virginia played a notable role in this scenario, accounting for 24.3% of its total revenue from these activities.
With this article, discover the global trends and averages in the industry by exploring the average income generated by casinos worldwide.

5. Mountain State suffered a 30% drop in sports betting handles from March 2023 to March 2022.

(Covers)

In March, West Virginia’s sports betting saw a total wager of $43.1 million, marking an 8.3% increase from February but notably lower than the $61.4 million handle recorded in March 2022.

The positive news for West Virginia’s sports betting operators is that they enjoyed a healthy 9.8% hold in March 2023, resulting in $4.2 million in revenue, a significant increase from February’s $2.8 million despite a handle of $39.7 million. 

This strong performance was attributed to the presence of conference tournaments and March Madness, compensating for the absence of football.

In addition, the state collected over $357,000 in taxes, accounting for the 10% tax rate minus the administration’s share.

6. West Virginia’s online gambling revenue surges by 50% in one year.

(Play WV)

West Virginians have placed bets exceeding $3.5 billion on iGaming apps and websites in FY ’23, resulting in substantial revenue of $120.4 million. 

West Virginia online casinos are subject to a 15% tax rate, leading to the mentioned $18 million in taxes collected.

These figures represent significant increases compared to the FY 2021-22 reporting period, with six weeks remaining in the fiscal year.

West Virginia online casinos have already achieved impressive year-over-year growth across the board:

  • Handle: Up by 36.6% compared to FY ’22 (from $2.6 billion)
  • Revenue: Increased by 39.7% year-over-year (from $86.2 million)
  • Taxes: Up by 39.7% year-over-year (from $12.9 million)

As the final six weeks of FY ’23 unfold, there’s potential for these percentages to surpass 50% year-over-year gains, setting new records for future comparisons starting in July.

7. The state of West Virginia achieved a 100% year-over-year expansion from FY 2021 to FY 2023.

(Play WV)

In FY ’23, online casinos were eyeing an impressive 50% growth, following an astounding 100% year-over-year expansion in FY ’22. Here’s a closer look at the numbers:

  • Handle: A remarkable 118.6% year-over-year increase, soaring from $1.2 billion in FY ’21.
  • Revenue: An impressive 147.3% year-over-year growth, surging from $34.9 million in FY ’21.
  • Taxes: A substantial 158.6% year-over-year uptick, climbing from $5 million in FY ’21.

West Virginia’s sports betting sector is also experiencing notable growth in year-to-date (YTD) revenue and tax contributions as the state’s gambling industry matures. 

It surpassed the previous year’s performance up to mid-May, with $48.7 million in revenue and $4.9 million in taxes generated.

In FY ’22, sportsbooks reported $44.8 million in revenue, resulting in a $4.5 million tax bill.

8. Charles Town claims the top spot for online casinos in WV with $1.2 million weekly revenue.

(Play USA)

In West Virginia, three casinos hold four online casino licenses:

  • The Casino Club at The Greenbrier
  • Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
  • Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort

The Greenbrier collaborates with FanDuel and BetMGM for online casinos. Charles Town partners with DraftKings, while Mountaineer offers online casino services through PointsBet.

The presence of two online casinos has positioned The Greenbrier as the state’s leader in online gambling revenue. Over time, this casino has maintained an average weekly revenue of $1.4 million. 

In contrast, Charles Town has averaged $1.2 million per week since the start of the year. Mountaineer, however, is in third place, generating an average of $403,722 weekly.

Over the past month, Charles Town has outperformed The Greenbrier in revenue for four out of the last five weeks, as the West Virginia Lottery reported.

Charles TownGreenbrierMountaineer
Week Ending 4/8$1,492,375.99$1,126,540.06$501,471.49
Week Ending 4/15$1,181,996.75$1,174,498.36$491,884.82
Week Ending 4/22$1,309,565.65$1,144,734.31$325,712.13
Week Ending 4/29$1,261,139.94$1,709,433.13$428,789.38
Week Ending 5/6$1,414,192.92$941,379.83$337,878.22

9. July’s $14.4 million performance keeps 2023 on a hot streak.

(Play USA)

According to Corey Sharp from PlayWV, sportsbooks in West Virginia recorded a total of $22.3 million in wagers during July, marking a 13% decrease compared to July 2022.

The state retained around $2.7 million of the total wagered sportsbooks, translating to a 12.2% win higher than the revenue generated in July 2022. 

Consequently, the state collected $271,970 in taxes from sports betting activity during this period.

10. West Virginia’s online gambling revenue from casinos earned $71.2 million during the summer.

(Play WV)

June and July have been the most vital months ever for West Virginia’s gaming industry. 

In June, online casinos achieved a record $16.4 million in monthly revenue, with July slightly lower at $14.4 million but still ranking as the second-best month.

Remarkably, all of the top five monthly revenue records for online casinos in West Virginia occurred in 2023:

MonthRevenue
June$16.4 million.
July$14.4 million
March$14.3 million
February$13.1 million
April$13 million

Despite challenges like WynnBet ceasing operations, the online casino sector in the state is showing signs of growth. Bentley has relaunched its online casino offerings after WynnBet’s exit. 

BetRivers Casino and Hacksaw Gaming recently agreed to expand the variety of online casino games available in the state.

11. iGaming could surpass $20 million in FY ’23 taxes.

(Play WV)

When playing mobile casino games

West Virginia’s casinos are entering the final month of the fiscal year 2023 with new records already set in online gambling. 

The state has collected $18.1 million in taxes so far. To reach the $20 million mark for the fiscal year, they only need to gather an additional $1.9 million. 

Considering the Year-to-Date (YTD) total of $3.52 billion in online casino bets, casinos would need to maintain an average of around $80 million per week to achieve a total of $4 billion by the end of FY ’23.

12. West Virginia collected $53.3 million in gambling taxes in FY23

(Gambling Industry News)

In the current fiscal year, West Virginia has collected $53.3 million in taxes from various sources, including sports betting, online gambling, and casinos. 

Sports betting contributed $4.9 million in taxes, with $484 million in wagers recorded up to May 13, 2023. 

Mobile sports betting accounted for $417 million of the wagers, while casino sportsbooks brought in $67 million.

Since the launch of sportsbooks in July 2019, West Virginia has collected a total of $15.3 million in sports betting taxes. 

Online casino gaming saw substantial growth, with operators reporting over $3.5 billion in wagers and $18 million in taxes, a 39.5% increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

The report showed that the four land-based casinos have generated $30.4 million in taxes from $86.9 million in revenue from table games.

13. In July 2023, West Virginia’s handle drop was mitigated by the 12% hold.

(Covers)

It marked the lowest handle in over four years but brought the state’s total handle since the launch of sports betting in 2018 close to $250 billion.

Despite the decrease in handle, revenue dipped by a lesser 3.8% in July, generating $2.5 million in profits, down 4% year-over-year. 

The 12% hold in July contributed to this relatively positive outcome, marking the highest win rate for 2023 and a nearly three-point increase from June.

Final Thoughts

Since West Virginia legalized gambling, Hollywood Charles Town and The Greenbrier have contributed significantly to the state’s online gambling revenue.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the casino industry, causing the Online Lottery segment to suffer the most significant setbacks.

Despite the challenges, the Online Lottery segment witnessed a substantial increase in gambling revenue throughout the years, contributing to West Virginia’s success.

FAQs

What is West Virginia's online gambling revenue?

West Virginia’s online gambling revenue was $14 million in the latest available data in July.

Where does the online gambling revenue go in West Virginia?

Online gambling revenue in West Virginia contributes to the state’s general fund, supporting various public programs and services.

Is online gambling in West Virginia legal?

Yes, West Virginia has legal online gambling regulated by the West Virginia Lottery Commission.

How does online gambling tax revenue benefit West Virginia's economy?

Online gambling tax revenue contributes significantly to West Virginia’s economy by funding various state programs and initiatives. 

Do I need to pay taxes on my online gambling winnings in West Virginia?

Yes, online gambling winnings in West Virginia are subject to state income tax.