Online Slot Games in West Virginia
Video lottery terminals (VLTs), or slot machines, became legal in West Virginia in 1994. Initially, slots were limited to the two thoroughbred and two greyhound racetracks in the state.
But that changed in 2001, when the West Virginia Legislature passed the Limited Video Lottery Act, allowing slot machines in adult environments that possess a Class A alcohol license. The law limited the number of VLTs to 9,000.
In 2010, after lawmakers allowed historic resorts to apply for a casino license, The Casino Club at The Greenbrier opened. It added 300 more slot machines to the state’s inventory.
In March 2019, the state legislature voted on expanding slot machines again when it passed the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act. The law legalized online casino gambling in WV. Online slot machines are now live in West Virginia, giving slot players access to hundreds of games ranging from classic favorites to pop-culture themes.
This page includes information to help you enjoy online slots in the Mountain State. We will explain the different types of slots, show you how to play slots, and take you through the steps before you can take the first virtual pull of your favorite machine.
Best online casinos with slots in WV
Are slots legal in West Virginia?
Yes, slot machines are legal in West Virginia.
West Virginia legalized slots (VLTs) in 1994 at the state’s racetracks. Then in 1999, the first slots appeared at licensed WV racinos. The year 2001 saw another expansion of legal slots with the Limited Video Lottery Act, allowing slot machines at bars and restaurants. Online slots are also legal.
The legislature passed the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act in 2019. Since then, the lottery has been establishing the rules and regulations governing online casinos. The first online casinos with slots launched in 2020.
Today, the Mountain State’s five casinos and 1,470 VLT retailers account for 9,000 slot machines.
According to the lottery, a casino customer must be at least 21 years old. To play online slots in West Virginia, the player must be located within WV state lines. However, a player is not required to be a resident of the state to enjoy online gambling.
Playing WV online slots in demo mode
While online casinos feature online slots for real money, slot players can also play their favorite games or try new ones simply by using the demo mode. Demo games do not collect historical data, which means you won’t know how much you win or lose. They will, however, let you check out all the features of a game, including these slot bonus features:
- Bonus spins
- Pick game bonus
- Combo spin and pick game bonus
- Interactive bonus
- Skill-based bonus
- Choose-a-style bonus
Smart slot players play the demo slots to see which games they prefer, how the games pay out and the frequency of bonus feature activation.
How to play real money slots in West Virginia
Obviously, the first step to playing WV real money slots is to choose an online casino.
There are several criteria that you should consider when deciding at which online casino to play slots, including:
- Look of the online casino app
- New customer bonuses
- Casino loyalty program
- Payout percentage
In the end, the choice of online casinos is a personal one. To help you choose an online casino, we suggest you read all of our objective online casino reviews.
Then once you’ve made your choice, make sure to click one of our links before creating your account to get the best new customer bonus.
Most legal online casinos in WV offer bonus bets. The offers are usually smaller ($10-$20) and come with playthrough requirements before you can withdraw any winnings.
There is also usually a first-time deposit bonus for new players. The casino will match your first deposit amount up to a limit, doubling your money right away. There will also be playthrough requirements on this bonus money before you can withdraw it.
To get a new player or welcome bonus, click our link and register for your account.
The next step is depositing into your casino account. WV online casinos have a wide range of deposit options. These include:
- ACH or bill pay
- Debit or credit cards
- Casino prepaid debit cards
- PayPal
- Cash via PayNearMe
Withdrawals after a big jackpot win will usually be credited back to the original deposit method. If that doesn’t work, then the online casino will provide an alternative option, usually a bank transfer or paper check.
It is important for customers to keep online slot play as fun entertainment. And to do that requires bankroll management. Set your limits and adjust your spin amount to allow the longest possible playing time.
Responsible gamblers know when they’ve reached their limit. And when they do, they end the session. If they win a jackpot, they cash out.
And if they have trouble maintaining their limits, they seek help from WV problem gambling resources.
What online casinos are there in West Virginia?
So far, just three online casinos have launched, or announced their launch, in West Virginia.
DraftKings WV Casino was the first to launch in July of 2020, partnering with land-based casino Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
BetMGM Casino WV was next to launch in the state, in a partnership with The Greenbrier.
After William Hill rebranded to Caesars, West Virginia welcomed Caesars Online Casino.
Each brick-and-mortar casino can have up to three online partners for online casino offerings. The Greenbrier also announced a second partnership in November of 2020, with Golden Nugget WV Casino. That online casino app has yet to be approved by WV regulators, but is expected to be official sometime in early 2021.
DraftKings and Bet MGM also have WV sportsbooks, which are already operational. FanDuel seems likely to launch an online casino app in the future in West Virginia, as it also already has a sportsbook in WV with The Greenbrier.
Additionally, PokerStars may make an attempt to align with a casino in WV. The company has made it clear it is looking to expand across the US.
Playing WV slots on mobile devices
The launch of online casinos will bring casino apps to the Mountain State. Most slots will work fine on your phone, but ideally you will want your phone to be in the landscape position.
The current online casino apps in WV are available for Android or iPhone / iPad and typically work with all recent generations of smartphones and tablets.
Most casino websites are also responsive and can be used on your phone since they automatically adjust to the size of the screen.
Progressive jackpots in West Virginia
Progressive jackpots are the huge jackpots some slots accumulate. You will find progressive slot machines on the casino floor and at online casinos, with jackpots in the range of $1,000 to $20,000. Some can even get into six digits.
Progressive slot jackpots usually have different prize levels. Players will hit the lowest level more frequently and the grand prize level rarely, allowing the jackpot to continue to accumulate.
Big jackpots aren’t reserved just for progressive slots. Most slots have the potential for a big payout. Ultimately, a big payout potential is what attracts new customers.
What types of slots are available in West Virginia?
There are a wide variety of slot machines available in West Virginia. There are many different denominations, themes and sizes.
Denominations range from pennies to multiple dollars. The most popular themes are based on Greek mythology or mimic popular TV shows and movies.
Newer games have more bells and whistles because of the available technology. They offer more pay lines, special effects and bonus options than the standard three-reel slots of the past.
Here are some of the slot types found at land-based and online casinos:
- Traditional three-reel slots
- Three-reel slots with bonus
- Five-reel video and mechanical games
- Multimedia slots
- Slots reward programs
Loyalty programs exist at retail and online casinos to help attract new players and keep existing ones. A generous rewards program can increase a player’s bankroll and offer other benefits.
Slot players should consider loyalty programs and how their play will benefit them as they go about choosing their preferred casino.
Every loyalty program is different.
Some programs include both live and casino play, while others operate separate online casino and retail casino programs. You can redeem points for bonus play and prizes. And depending on the casino, you may be able to redeem points on site for hotel rooms or meals.
WV casinos with slot machines
Currently, there are five live casinos in WV. Four of the casinos have racetracks. The fifth casino, the Casino Club at The Greenbrier, is a private casino with access limited to members and hotel guests.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
- Location: 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, WV 25414
- Number of slots: 2,136
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is near Harpers Ferry and is just a short drive from Washington, DC, and Baltimore. The thoroughbred racetrack opened in 1933 as Jefferson County Races. Voters approved slot machines at Charles Town in 1996, and Penn National, its current owner, purchased the property in 1997.
Today, you’ll find 2,136 slot machines (the most of all five casinos), 43 table games, a poker room, and a William Hill-powered sportsbook. Additionally, Hollywood Casino is partnered with DraftKings Sportsbook WV for its sports betting app. Live horse racing continues at Charles Town. The first race post time is 7 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort
- Location: 1420 Mountaineer Circle, New Cumberland, WV 26047
- Number of slots: 1,068
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort is located on the Ohio River. Until recently, it was owned by Eldorado Resorts and was recently sold to Century Casinos. The property first opened as Waterford Park by the Charles Town Jockey Club in 1951. It became Mountaineer Racetrack in 2001.
Mountaineer Casino has over 78,000 square feet of gambling space. It includes 1,068 slots, 25 table games, a poker room, and a retail sportsbook powered by William Hill. It currently does not have an online betting app. Mountaineer hosts thoroughbred racing on Sundays-Wednesdays with a first race post time of 7 p.m.
Mardi Gras Casino & Resort
- Location: 1 Greyhound Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313
- Number of slots: 664
Mardi Gras Casino, formerly known as Tri-State Greyhound Park, opened in 1985 with a primary focus on greyhound racing. In 2002, the property added an additional 57,000 square feet of gambling space and became an instant hit in the Charleston area. It was renamed Mardi Gras in 2008, one year after the addition of table games. Its current owner, Delaware North, purchased the property in 2018.
Mardi Gras Casino operates nearly 700 slot machines and 32 table games. It also has a poker room and an IGT-powered sportsbook using the betly platform. It is expected to launch an online casino and online sportsbook soon. Staying true to its initial focus, live greyhound racing takes place Wednesdays through Sundays beginning at 7 p.m.
Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack
- Location: 1 S. Stone St., Wheeling, WV 26003
- Number of slots: 1,118
Wheeling Island is also owned by Delaware North. It was originally a site for thoroughbred and harness racing that predated the Civil War. In the 1970s, after a five-year absence due to fire, Wheeling Downs began the transition from thoroughbred to greyhound racing. In 1999, Wheeling Downs added VLTs or slot machines to an expanded 34,000 square feet of gambling space. Wheeling Island added table games and changed its name to Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in 2008.
Wheeling Island currently has the second-largest slot offering behind Hollywood Casino, with over 1,100 machines. Its current portfolio includes 31 table games, a poker room, and an IGT-powered sportsbook. Like its sister property, Mardi Gras Casino, Wheeling Island is expected to launch an online casino and online sports betting soon. Live greyhound racing happens year-round seven days a week.
Casino Club at the Greenbrier
- Location: 101 W. Main St., White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
- Number of slots: 300
Known as America’s Resort, The Greenbrier first opened its doors in 1778 in the Allegheny Mountains. The Casino Club didn’t open its doors until 2010, and at first, it only housed table games. Slot machines would soon follow. To this day, the Casino Club remains the country’s only private casino, requiring players to be a member or a hotel guest to gain entry.
The Casino Club floor includes 300 slot machines, 37 table games, a poker room, and a FanDuel-powered retail sportsbook. The Greenbrier launched two of its three online sports betting skins with partners FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM Sportsbook WV.