West Virginia legalized online poker in 2019, but residents are still waiting for a regulated platform to launch. In the meantime, players in the Mountaineer State can dive into the action by joining trusted offshore poker sites that offer safe, secure, and enjoyable gameplay.
This guide covers everything you need to know about West Virginia online poker, from the legal landscape to the top platforms accessible to West Virginians. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned pro, you’ll gain valuable insights to help you choose a poker room that suits your style and stakes.
Online Poker Legality Snapshot
Online Poker:
Available (Offshore Only)
Recommended Poker Sites:
Juicy Stakes, Ignition, BetOnline
Land Based Poker:
Available
Legal Gambling Age:
21
Poker Regulator:
West Virginia Lottery
Can You Play Online Poker for Real Money in West Virginia
Yes, you can play online poker for money In West Virginia. While casinos and racinos have yet to launch a poker room, you can still play online poker at offshore poker rooms and at sweepstakes poker rooms. There are a number of online options available for those looking for secure online poker.
Top Sites for Online Poker in West Virginia
West Virginia players can explore a range of top-rated real money poker sites that provide access to exciting cash games, tournaments, and exclusive promotions designed for both new and loyal players. These platforms prioritize your security by offering trusted payment methods and fast, hassle-free withdrawals.
West Virginia poker fans who prefer clean, tracker-free sessions will appreciate Ignition’s fully anonymous tables. Whether you’re playing a $5 Sit & Go or grinding the Sunday $100K, screen names are hidden, leveling the field. The streamlined software makes Zone Poker quick and accessible, and Jackpot Sit & Gos can 20x or even 2,000x your buy-in in minutes. For low-friction, high-upside poker without stat overlays, Ignition gets the formula right.
High traffic with active cash games and tournaments.
100% up to $1,000 bonus with tournament tickets.
Fast crypto payments with no fees.
Many tournament options, including PKOs and Sunday Majors.
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
1 Day
Best for Omaha Poker
If Omaha is your game, West Virginia has a strong option in BetOnline. Beyond the typical Hi and Hi-Lo tables, players get access to rarities like Big O (five-card) and 6-O games. Cash tables also allow Run It Twice, Run It Three Times, and straddle play, customizations most platforms skip. While Omaha doesn’t show up in Boost Poker or Windfalls, this is one of the few sites offering real variety across Omaha cash formats with consistent volume.
Wide tournament variety with over 250 daily events
36% rakeback for regular players
200% up to $1,000 bonus with achievable playthrough
Soft competition, ideal for new players
Min Deposit
10
Payout Speed
5 Business Dayss
Best for Poker Promotions
West Virginia players who enjoy ongoing poker promos will appreciate what Juicy Stakes delivers. A 200% match bonus up to $1,000 kicks things off, but the real value comes from seasonal events and quirky themed tournaments, from Christmas specials to Groundhog Day bounties. Unique perks like Gold Chip Tournaments and entries to real-world events like the Caribbean Poker Tour add flair. It’s a promo-packed platform that favors frequent play, with 36% rakeback and 250+ daily tournaments, without relying solely on high-stakes grinders.
How We Select the Best Online Poker Sites in West Virginia
When recommending an online poker room, we evaluate the factors and features we consider the most important to you. We also consider your questions and concerns to help us decide which rooms to recommend. Here are the main criteria we use for our recommendations.
Availability: First, we evaluate whether a room is available and if it has a good reputation with West Virginians.
Traffic and Competition: We look at the average daily cash game and tournament traffic to determine if you’ll find plenty of games to play.
Poker Bonuses and Promotions: We look to see if the bonuses are at least on par with top poker rooms and whether the site offers unique promotions.
Game Variety and Availability: We check which poker variants are offered, if they run regularly, and if they are offered for both cash games and tournaments.
Is Online Poker Legal in West Virginia?
Yes, online poker became legal in West Virginia in March 2019 through the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act. Despite this milestone, no state-licensed online poker platforms have launched yet, leaving players to explore alternative options.
The path to legalization began when state lawmakers recognized the success of online gaming in states like New Jersey. Delegates Shawn Fluharty and Jason Barrett championed the effort, introducing and revising bills until the legislation passed in early 2019. This opened the door for online poker, slots, and table games in the state.
However, West Virginia’s relatively small market has made it challenging to attract poker operators. To address this, the state joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in late 2023. By linking with larger player pools in states like Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Michigan, West Virginia aims to make its market more appealing to major operators like PokerStars, WSOP, and BetMGM.
For now, poker enthusiasts in the state can enjoy safe and secure gameplay through reputable offshore poker sites. These platforms offer a variety of games, stakes, and player-friendly features, providing a quality poker experience while the state’s regulated market continues to develop.
When choosing an offshore site, look for platforms with a strong reputation, transparent policies, and a variety of poker formats.
West Virginia Gambling Resources
West Virginia Lottery: Official site for the state lottery of West Virginia. Learn more about the state’s unique form of video lottery, get lottery data and information about where funds from the lottery go.
UNLV Center for Gaming Research: The abstract for West Virginia from the UNLV CGR provides an excellent snapshot of regulated gaming in the state. You’ll find a brief history, aggregate data since 1995 and a synopsis of the major regulated gambling options in West Virginia.
West Virginia Department of Commerce – Gaming: An all-in-one guide to the regulated gambling attractions of the state from the West Virginia DoC.
Play Online Poker Responsibly in West Virginia
Online poker is intended to be enjoyed responsibly. This involves setting limits and never gambling with money you cannot afford to lose. When you gamble responsibly, you avoid the pitfalls associated with problem gambling.
West Virginia Problem Gambling Network: 1-800-Gambler (1-800-426-2537)
Carruth Center: 304-293-4431
Gamblers Anonymous: 855-2CALLGA (855-222-5542)
West Virginia Poker Players
West Virginia has fewer prominent poker players compared to states like Nevada, New York, or Florida. However, one of the game's greatest players hails from the Mountain State, and with online poker finally accessible to West Virginians, we anticipate this number to grow over the next few years.
Jason Koon - $59,175,978
Taylor Wilson - $2,182,389
Steven Merrifield - $1,395,437
John Fauver - $904,420
Kenneth Hicks - $871,345
Iverson Snuffer - $860,041
Scott Masters - $635,805
Jim Boyd - $635,029
Michael McNeil - $563,686
Paul McKinney - $533,660
West Virginia and Online Poker
While West Virginia online poker has yet to launch at state casinos and racinos, there are still plenty of offshore options for safe and secure online poker. West Virginia online poker rooms offer a wide selection of poker cash games and tournaments with generous guarantees.
To help you make the best choice, we've provided information on the best West Virginian poker rooms. When you select a site from our recommended list, you will enjoy secure online gaming, fast deposits, and smooth payouts.
Start your online poker journey today by registering at one of our recommended West Virginia online poker rooms.
Jennifer Newell is a freelance writer at LegalUsPokerSites. She has two decades of experience in the iGaming industry. She is a respected poker media member, contributing to publications and websites like USA Today, PokerStars, and PokerScout. Her knowledge spans gambling legislation and the broader online gaming world. She has spent years advocating for diversity, most notably gender equity in the traditionally male-dominated poker sphere.
Sources & Citations For This Article on West Virginia Online Poker
