West Virginia’s sports betting market reaches important milestones as final two casinos launch in-person betting and first mobile betting app goes live
Sports betting is finally available at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in West Virginia after owner Delaware North soft-launched sportsbooks at the two properties on Thursday.
The company plans an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Wheeling Island Casino today. The launch of sports betting at the two gambling venues finally happened after months of delays. Both properties were originally expected to go live with wagering services in early October. However, the development of a mobile app has delayed the launch.
West Virginia legalized sports betting this past spring ahead of the US Supreme Court ruling that struck down a long-standing federal ban on the practice. The state became the fourth US jurisdiction to launch sports gambling in the post-SCOTUS ruling era, being outraced only by Delaware, New Jersey, and Mississippi.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Racetrack was the first West Virginia casino to open a sportsbook, followed by The Greenbrier. Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort launched its sports betting facility just recently. Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras were the final of the state’s five casinos to start sports betting operations.
Mobile Betting Arrives in West Virginia
On Thursday, Delaware North also celebrated the launch of the state’s first mobile betting app – Bet Lucky. As mentioned earlier, the development of the app was actually what delayed the start of sports betting at the two properties owned by the company.
Delaware North has partnered Miomni Gaming for the operation of its mobile betting product. Bettors will be able to place their wagers via the app only within West Virginia’s borders. The state became only the third US jurisdiction to be offering digital betting, with Nevada and New Jersey being the other two.
Commenting on the launch of the sports betting app, Luisa Woods, Vice President of Marketing for Delaware North, told local media that both residents and guests of the state are going to “love how easy it is to register and use the app.” She went on to say that the app has been specifically designed to engage and entertain US bettors.
Delaware North will soon have competition on the mobile betting front. News emerged earlier this month that DFS and sports betting company DraftKings has reached an agreement with Penn National Gaming, owner of Hollywood Casino, to offer its mobile and online betting product across West Virginia. The launch is awaiting regulatory approval and will see DraftKings roll out in-game betting and allow bettors to wager on both US and international sports.
DraftKings entered the US betting field with the launch of mobile and in-person betting in partnership with New Jersey’s Resorts Casino Hotel earlier this year. The company also offers its wagering product in Mississippi.
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