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Sports Betting in West Virginia Thriving During Lockdown

Monday, September 7, 2020 22:12

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Sports Betting in West Virginia Thriving During Lockdown

West Virginia is a lucky state. It’s one of the few places where sports betting has been thriving amid the national lockdown. The other states are New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The unifying factor in all these jurisdictions is that they authorize all forms of sports betting.

You can bet on nearly every sport in WV through your iPhone or Android device. Alternatively, you can visit one of the state’s five betting shops.

Interestingly, the growth of sports wagering in WV involves more than gambling laws. But before we show you the reasons, here’s how to find sportsbooks in the Mountain State.

WV Sportsbooks and Where to Find Them

As mentioned, sports betting in WV is legal. You can bet online through BetMGM, DraftKings or FanDuel. For these sites, you don’t need to leave your house to place a wager. Instead, all you need is a mobile device or desktop with Internet connection.

The alternative is to place a wager through a land-based bookmaker. This sector was briefly affected by the lockdown because most shops had to close down. But as lockdown measures started to ease up in May, they’ve since resumed.

What sports do people bet in WV? Generally speaking, you can wager on all major leagues in the US. You can discover more information about sports betting in West Virginia at betting.us. You’ll also get helpful betting tips and a map of the specific locations for all sportsbooks in the state.

Offshore Sports Betting in WV

West Virginia was one of the first states to legalize online sports betting after the landmark Supreme Court verdict in 2018. Mardi gras and Wheeling Island casinos obtained licenses to offer sports betting a few weeks later.

But due to disagreements, the two companies suspended sports betting March last year. This meant WV punters would no longer use BetLucky app, a mobile betting platform co-owned by Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island.

All hope was not lost for WV punters, though. Out of state and offshore online bookmakers swung into action to fill the void left by BetLucky immediately. And since then, the number of overseas betting sites that accept WV players has been increasing.

Professional Sports Resumption

The resumption of major sports leagues has been a boon for the sports betting sector in West Virginia. It has helped get the industry back to action swiftly now that people can conveniently bet through their mobile devices.

To expound more, DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel have all recorded an uptick of betting action in WV since June. DraftKings recently announced it had taken $15 million in bets from players in W. Virginia in July.

Most of the bets involved leagues like the NBA, NHL and MLB—all that resumed a few months after the lockdown went into place in March. Meanwhile, FanDuel and BetMGM compete for 5% of the legal betting market in the state.

On the flipside, overseas sports betting sites tend to provide betting markets for both American and offshore sports leagues. As such, West Virginians who use these platforms have many more betting markets to work with.

Free Bets and Bonuses

Ever since DraftKings entered the WV market in June, there’s been an increase in the number of betting sites targeting players in the Mountain State. Most of these companies are established foreign brands that shower new customers with bonuses left, right and center.

The average company gives out three types of rewards. First, they welcome new customers with a free bet immediately they create an account. Then they match each punter’s first deposit 100% to 400%.

Most West Virginians above 21 years are free to claim these rewards. And since they mean betting without depleting your cash balance, it’s easy to see why bookie sites with bonuses have been on demand.

The best part of bookie bonuses is that they come regularly. That means not only do you receive a welcome gift; you also get loyalty free bets. High rollers receive the best rewards at most casinos.

Smooth Payments

Online betting in WV has ensured the industry stays active throughout the lockdown. This wouldn’t have been possible without safe and secure payment systems. By default, you can fund your betting account through several options.

You could use credit and debit cards. Or you could prefer an e-wallet like PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill or Neteller. Additionally, you can use Bitcoin or direct bank transfers. Each payment method has its advantages and disadvantages.

But in with all options, you’re assured of smooth payments at WV’s best online betting sites. Deposits tend to be free and fast. That way, you can bet within five minutes of funding your account.

Withdrawals take 1-7 days. This depends on how much you win and your banking choice. With an e-wallet like PayPal, you get your money within minutes of cashing out. By contrast, ACH payments take a few days.

Quality Customer Service

So far, all the betting sites operating in WV are renowned brands. Crucially, they are companies known for their responsive customer service departments. Customer help is to thank for helping onboard many West Virginians to bookie sites during the lockdown.

Usually, the companies provide customer help through chatbots, email and phone contact. Chatbots are the most convenient contact platforms since you get immediate feedback.

With offshore bookmakers, customer service tends to be a hit or a miss. Some companies offer 24/7 support through chatbots and email. Others have non-functional customer departments. That’s why most people have focused on betting at WV-licensed bookies like DraftKings.

Mobile Betting Dominance

Mobile betting rose in popularity pretty gradually once the lockdown hit WV in March. For a few weeks, it competed with retail betting shops. But once they were shutdown, mobile betting became the leading way for West Virginians to predict sports.

By June, mobile gaming was up but 27.5%. This represented a handle worth $6.3 million, nearly 1.5 million more than the previous month. In July, the sector crossed the $10 million mark. Experts predict betting action will increase tenfold once the NFL starts in September. By the time the season is over, WV will be a mobile betting hub.

Image Credit: wsn.com

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