West Virginia Horse Racing Betting

The West Virginia horse racing betting industry consists of two race tracks, simulcasting at tracks, and online horse racing wagering. Although far from the pinnacle of North American racing, West Virginia boasts a healthy and well-funded horse racing industry.

In addition to pari-mutuel wagering, West Virginia race tracks host video lottery machines, table games, and poker. West Virginia is also home to the country’s two last remaining greyhound tracks, although pressure is mounting for lawmakers to end dog racing.

Bettors must be 18 or older to participate in pari-mutuel wagering and at least 21 to enter any track’s casino area. Minors may watch live races with adults but may not enter simulcast betting facilities or casinos.

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Sites

TwinSpires$200 Welcome BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: TWIN200Get Bonus
AmWager$150 Deposit BonusAmWager Promo Code: BUSA150Get Bonus

The West Virginia Racing Commission regulates online horse racing betting, so fans can safely bet on horse races with licensed operators. Eight operators hold advance deposit wagering (online betting) licenses from the West Virginia Racing Commission:

West Virginia Online Racebooks

BettingUSA strongly urges readers to use licensed online racebooks because they have been vetted by the state, offer sizable racing betting bonuses, provide full wagering menus, and comingle all wagers taken online with each track’s pari-mutuel pools.

In addition, licensed West Virginia horse racing betting sites must adhere to consumer protection regulations regarding the security of customers’ private information, submit detailed business plans to the Commission, and provide proof every six months that they have enough funds to cover all customers’ account balances.

The West Virginia Racing Commission does not list licensed operators on its website. However, bettors can view the Commission’s latest to confirm which betting sites hold licenses.

West Virginia Horse Racetracks

West Virginia is home to four live race tracks. Two host live thoroughbred horse races, while the others hold greyhound dog races. The minimum betting age is 18, but some tracks allow minors accompanied by adults to attend live races.

Each West Virginia racetrack includes an attached casino limited to guests 21 or older.

750 Hollywood Drive
Charles Town, WV 25414

Charles Town Races holds year-round thoroughbred horse racing, typically from Wednesdays through Saturdays. In addition, Hollywood Casino offers daily simulcast wagering.

Charles Town Races welcomes minors to watch the races, but adults must accompany them. Any guests 21 or younger must use the outside entrance to visit the track.

The adjoining Penn Gaming Casino offers live table games, electronic table games, slot and video poker machines, a 13-table poker room, and a sportsbook. Other property amenities include multiple bars and restaurants, an event center, and a hotel.

1 Greyhound Drive
Cross Lanes, WV 25313

The racetrack at Mardi Gras Casino and Resort holds year-round greyhound racing from Tuesdays through Saturdays. The facility also offers simulcast wagering on horse and greyhound races.

Guests must be 21 or older to attend races and enter the facility. Mardi Gras Casino also features more than 20 table games, nearly 1,000 slots, a poker room, and a Betly sportsbook. Other features include several dining options and a 150-room hotel.

1420 Mountaineer Circle
New Cumberland, WV 26047

Mountaineer Racetrack hosts live thoroughbred races from April through December, and standard race days are Sundays through Wednesdays. In addition, the track offers daily simulcast wagering year-round.

This Century casino property offers 1,000 slots, live table games, electronic table games, and a Caesars sportsbook. Mountaineer also offers multiple dining options, event centers, and a 359-room hotel.

1 South Stone Street
Wheeling, WV 26003

Wheeling Island offers year-round greyhound racing from Wednesdays through Sundays. Minors accompanied by adults may attend live races but are restricted from entering the wagering areas. Wheeling Island also offers daily simulcasting in an area featuring 120 privacy desks with individual TVs.

Like Mardi Gras, Wheeling Island is a Delaware North casino property. The casino offers 1,100 slots, live table games, a poker room, and a Betly sportsbook. In addition, Wheeling Island has multiple dining options and a hotel. Note – the hotel does not allow entry to anyone under 21.

Major West Virginia Horse Racing Events

West Virginia’s two thoroughbred race tracks host a few Grade 2 and Grade 3 races each year.

  • Charles Town Classic (G2): $1,000,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in late August at Charles Town Races
  • Charles Town Oaks (G3): $500,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in late August at Charles Town Races
  • West Virginia Derby (G3): $500,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in August at Mountaineer Racetrack
  • West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3): $200,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in August at Mountaineer Racetrack

West Virginia Off-Track Betting Locations

West Virginia is not home to any standalone off-track betting facilities (OTBs), but each racetrack offers daily simulcasting on races held nationwide. The Greenbrier resort once operated an OTB as well but replaced its racebook with a FanDuel sportsbook after lawmakers legalized sports betting in West Virginia.

West Virginia OTBs may offer simulcasting on thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound races for customers 18 or older, although individual facilities may have more restrictive policies.

West Virginia Pari-Mutuel Wagering Laws

West Virginia legalized horse racing and established the Racing Commission in 1931, and legal pari-mutuel wagering began in 1933.

Per state law, the West Virginia Racing Commission’s duties include promoting thoroughbred and greyhound breeding, overseeing the conduct of horse racing, and ensuring integrity in wagering.

Lawmakers passed the Racetrack Video Lottery Act in 1994 to authorize video lottery terminals at race tracks to significantly boost the local racing industry and enhance purses. Other amendments over the years have authorized off-track wagering and online horse racing betting.

Laws and regulations that govern pari-mutuel wagering in West Virginia:

  • : West Virginia pari-mutuel wagering law
  • : West Virginia pari-mutuel betting regulations
  • : State law requiring licenses for advance deposit wagering operators
  • 178CSR10: West Virginia advance deposit wagering regulations

West Virginia Online Horse Racing Betting Law

West Virginia permitted advance deposit wagering for years despite a lack of legal clarity, but lawmakers passed in 2020 to legalize the online horse betting in WV.

Now, West Virginia online horse racing betting sites that wish to accept wagers via phone, internet, or mobile apps must register with the state and pay an initial licensing fee of $5,000.

Licensed West Virginia horse racing betting apps also pay additional source market and regulatory fees on the total amount wagered each month to support the industry and fund the Commission:

  • 4% source market fee
  • 0.5% regulatory fee paid to the WV Racing Commission’s general administrative account
  • 1.5% paid to the “Advance Deposit Wagering Account” to be appropriated by the WV legislature

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting FAQ

Bettors must be at least 18 to wager on horse and dog races in West Virginia.

Minors may attend live horse races at most venues but may not enter off-track betting parlors or casinos. 

Hollywood at Charles Town and Mountaineer Racetrack host live thoroughbred horse races.

Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island host live greyhound dog races.

Yes. All four West Virginia race tracks have casinos.

Yes. Kentucky Derby betting is legal in West Virginia and available at licensed advance deposit wagering sites or in person at any simulcast wagering facility.