Real money online poker is legal in West Virginia, but no operators have launched there yet. In the meantime, players in the Mountain State ⛰️ can win real money prizes on sweepstakes poker sites.
West Virginia is one of eight states where real money online poker is legal — and yet it is also unavailable. And it isn’t alone — Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island all have the same issue, albeit for different reasons. In West Virginia’s case, operators have avoided the state because it was a small, segregated market.
But the US poker landscape shifted after West Virginia signed the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in November 2023. MSIGA is a multi-state compact for real money online poker in the US. All of this means West Virginia will no longer be a segregated market. Consequently, we expect multiple real money online poker operators to launch in the Mountain State in short order.
Until a real money online poker market launches in West Virginia, we recommend sweepstakes online poker sites, where players can win real cash prizes.
We recommend Sweepstakes online poker sites in West Virginia You don’t have to wait for West Virginia to launch a regulated space for online poker — you can play online poker today! Sweepstakes poker sites are legal under sweepstakes law in WV and most US states, making them a popular choice for players in states without regulated markets for real money online poker. You can win real money prizes playing sweepstakes online poker.
There are two sweepstakes online poker sites we recommend: ClubWPT and Global Poker. They operate in slightly different ways (which we explain later in this guide), but they both offer daily tournaments where players can win prizes that can be redeemed for real money. One other difference is that ring games on ClubWPT are only available in play-money mode.
West Virginians also have access to several free-play sites. These can be a useful tool for new players, helping with things like memorizing the strength of poker hands or learning how betting works in poker games. We recommend free-play sites, apps, and so-called “social poker” sites for beginners, or for anyone who wants to play online poker in West Virginia without spending any money.
Can I play online poker in West Virginia?
Yes, you can play online poker anywhere in the Mountain State! You can play for real money prizes or you can play for free.
If you’re interested in competing for prizes that can be redeemed for real money, we recommend sweepstakes online poker — it offers an experience as close as possible to playing in a real cash game. But if you would rather play online poker for free, you have several options, including free-play apps, sites, and so-called “social poker” sites. We explain all of your online poker options in this guide.
| Online Poker in West Virginia: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| 📢 What’s Available | Sweepstakes, free-play, and social poker sites |
| 🔮Real Money Online Poker (Regulated) |
Legal, but no operators yet |
| ✨ Main Highlights | Sweepstakes poker has daily tournaments, players can win real money |
| 🃏 Available Games | No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and other variants |
| 🎁 Rewards | ClubWPT Premium Rewards, Global Poker Daily Rewards |
| 👥 WV Population | 1.8 Million (ranks 39th) |
Sweepstakes Online Poker in West Virginia
Now that West Virginia is a member of MSIGA, we expect that at least one real money online poker operator will launch in the state. Until then, if you’re looking for an online poker experience that’s as close as you can get to playing in a real cash game, we recommend sweepstakes poker sites. On the other hand, if you’re a new player or you’re just looking to play a few hands of poker for free, there are several free-play apps and sites available for players in West Virginia.
Players can win real money prizes playing sweepstakes poker. There are actually two types of sweepstakes poker site: traditional subscription-based sites and “modern” sweepstakes sites. You can win real money prizes by playing both types of sites.
The difference between subscription and modern sweepstakes poker sites Subscription sites are pretty straightforward — for a monthly fee, players can enter tournaments and win prizes redeemable for real money. Under the modern sweepstakes model, players use real money to buy play tokens (aka Gold Coins) and receive Sweeps Coins as a gift. Gold Coins have no monetary value, but Sweeps Coins are considered entries into a sweepstakes — players use them to access ring games and tournaments, which award prizes that can be converted into real money.
We recommend ClubWPT for subscription poker and Global Poker for modern sweepstakes. Both run what many in the industry consider top-quality platforms, offering poker in several variants. They also run their own branded series and offer sit-and-go (SNG) and ring games.
Players can win real money prizes by playing on either platform. Here is a short description of both sites:
ClubWPT
ClubWPT is a platform that follows the subscription-based model. The site hosts tournaments on a daily basis that offer prizes redeemable for real money. Some tournaments offer players a chance to win entry to events on the popular World Poker Tour.
The site has two paid monthly membership tiers. Club WPT also offers sit-and-go (SNG) and ring games, but the latter are only available in play money mode, which means players can’t win real money prizes through ring games.
Read our full review of ClubWPT »
Global Poker
Global Poker is a modern sweepstakes poker site, which means players use real money to buy play tokens (aka Gold Coins) and they receive Sweeps Coins as a gift. Players then use Sweeps Coins to access sweepstakes tables, where they can win prizes that can be converted into real money.
Australia-based Global Poker offers regular MTT series with large guarantees and special prizes for winners. Global Poker is famous for its unique awards to tournament winners, which include custom-made trophies, swag, and unique avatars.
Read our full review of Global Poker »
Social and Free-Play Poker in West Virginia
West Virginians can also play online poker for free. Players can download free-play apps or visit free-play or so-called “social poker” sites to play online poker — all without spending any money. Free-play poker sites are great options for new players or for anyone still trying to learn the mechanics of the game.
Zynga Poker, Replay Poker, and Governor of Poker are three of the more popular free-play sites. Facebook and other social media platforms also offer online poker for free. Two of the most well-known real money online poker brands, PokerStars and WSOP, also have free-play sites.
It should be noted that free-play sites have limited value in developing a winning online poker strategy because there isn’t any real money at stake. Still, we recommend free-play sites for new players.
Real Money Online Poker in West Virginia
West Virginia joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) — a multi-state gaming compact for real money online poker in the US — is a real game changer. Operators in the Mountain State will now be able to combine their player pools from other states. The shared liquidity will lead to bigger tournaments with bigger prizes.
The next step is for interested operators to submit a letter of intent to the West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC) to obtain the necessary approvals before launching an online poker platform. BetMGM, PokerStars, WSOP, and BetRivers Poker are seen as the most likely market entrants.
Multi-State Online Poker in West Virginia
MSIGA is a multi-state gaming compact that includes five states — Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia. It allows operators to combine player pools across multiple states, creating shared liquidity to support larger tournaments with bigger prizes.
As mentioned earlier, online poker operators have so far declined to set up shop in West Virginia because the state was a small segregated market (only 1.8 million residents). Membership in a gaming compact like MSIGA has long been seen as a necessary precursor to launching real money online poker in WV.
The fact that WV has decided to join the compact is a positive sign that US online poker, more than a dozen years after the events of Black Friday, is a growing market with a bright future. It could also encourage additional US states and perhaps some Canadian provinces (e.g., Indiana, New York, Québec) to consider launching the vertical.
Real Money Poker Sites Likely to Launch in WV
The top three real money online poker operators in the US — BetMGM, PokerStars, and WSOP — are likely interested in launching in West Virginia at some point, especially now that the state is a member of MSIGA. Rush Street Interactive (RSI) will also likely be interested in offering online poker in the Mountain State under its flagship BetRivers brand.
West Virginians are already familiar with the BetMGM and BetRivers brands, but PokerStars and WSOP are not brands currently live in the state.
BetMGM Poker has an advantage, in theory, over the others in that it already has a partnership with a land-based casino. But the operator has yet to combine its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey, and it also hasn’t launched online poker in Nevada — although it made progress there in May 2024.
For PokerStars and WSOP, West Virginia represents an opportunity to cobble together even larger networks where they share liquidity under MSIGA. PokerStars could use the Mountain State to form a three-state network that includes Michigan and New Jersey, while WSOP could aim for a network that includes those three states plus Nevada — especially since it lost market access in Delaware.
| Operator | Potential WV Partnership | Hypothetical Network Plans |
|---|---|---|
| PokerStars USA | Needs to form a partnership with one of the state’s five land-based casinos. Mardi Gras or Wheeling Island seem the most likely but Mountaineer is also a possibility. | At this stage, would create a three-state network of MI-NJ-WV. |
| BetMGM Poker | Has an existing partnership with the private Greenbrier Resort, where it offers online casino and sports betting. The operator will likely want to roll out online poker, too. | A four-state network of MI-NJ-NV-WV is possible, but it still needs to launch in NV and combine its MI and NJ player pools. |
| WSOP Online | WSOP doesn’t have market access in WV, but other brands owned by Caesars are live in the state for online casino and sports betting. Mardi Gras, Wheeling Island, and Mountaineer are all options. | Look for WSOP to create a four-state network across MI-NJ-NV-WV. |
| BetRivers Poker | A poker platform in development by Rush Street Interactive (RSI). RSI is tethered to the Mountaineer license and currently offers online casino and sports betting via its flagship brand, BetRivers. | Would create a four-state network that includes DE-MI-NJ-WV. |
PokerStars WV
PokerStars is considered the most likely operator to bring real money online poker to West Virginia despite not yet having market access in the Mountain State.
The operator must partner with one of the state’s five land-based casinos. Two casinos already use all three skins allotted by state law for igaming, leaving PokerStars with three options — Mardi Gras Casino, Wheeling Island Casino, or (less likely) Mountaineer Casino. The state’s gaming laws prevent PokerStars from sharing the partnership that FanDuel, its sister brand, has with the private Greenbrier Resort.
After submitting a letter of intent to the WVLC, PokerStars could receive regulatory clearance to launch a three-state network under MSIGA, combining its players’ pools in Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia. PokerStars USA combined its Michigan and New Jersey player pools on January 1, 2023.
BetMGM Poker WV
BetMGM is another potential real money online poker operator. It currently offers online casino and sports betting through a partnership with the private Greenbrier Resort.
The operator runs online poker rooms in Michigan and New Jersey and is also making progress toward launching in Nevada. But, unlike PokerStars, BetMGM has not yet combined its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey.
Moving forward, BetMGM could launch real money online poker in West Virginia and Nevada at the same time while also combining its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey — creating a four-state network.
WSOP WV
WSOP has a similar problem to PokerStars — the brand, which Caesars owns, technically doesn’t have a partnership with one of the five land-based casinos in the state.
Since the Caesars Palace Online Casino brand is live with online casino gaming in WV, and the sportsbook is Caesars Sportsbook, the state’s branding requirements mean WSOP could not utilize what is, in effect, Caesars’ partnership with Mountaineer Casino.
Consequently, WSOP, like PokerStars, will likely be looking to partner with one of three land-based properties — Mardi Gras Casino, Wheeling Island Casino, or (again, less likely) Mountaineer Casino. WSOP would then send a letter of intent to the WVLC requesting regulatory approval.
The real money online poker operator lost its access to the Delaware market:in the final days of 2023, but it combined its player pools in Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey in late May 2024. WSOP could launch in West Virginia to make up for losing access in Delaware — a smaller state in terms of population.
BetRivers Poker WV
BetRivers Poker is an online poker platform currently in development by Rush Street Interactive (RSI). A launch is expected sometime in 2024.
RSI has already deployed its flagship BetRivers brand to West Virginia for online casino and sports betting. It operates under the Mountaineer Casino license.
A four-state network across MSIGA — with combined player pools in Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia — seems the most likely option for BetRivers Poker at this stage.
West Virginia Online Poker FAQ
Is online poker legal in West Virginia?
Yes, you can play online poker anywhere in the Mountain State! You can win real money prizes playing sweepstakes poker, but you also have several options available if you want to play for free. Real money online poker is also legal in West Virginia, but no operators have deployed in the state yet.
Does West Virginia have real money online poker?
Real money online poker has been legal in West Virginia since the state passed the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act in 2019. Operators initially avoided launching in the Mountain State because it was a small, segregated market — but that will change now that the state has joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), a multi-state gaming compact that supports online poker.
Are subscription poker sites available in West Virginia?
Yes, players in West Virginia have access to subscription-based poker sites. We recommend ClubWPT for subscription poker. For a monthly fee, players get access to tables that offer real money prizes.
Does West Virginia have modern sweepstakes poker?
Yes, you can play modern sweepstakes poker in West Virginia. Under this model, players use real money to buy play tokens (aka Gold Coins) and receive Sweeps Coins as a gift. Players in turn use Sweeps Coins to gain entry to sweepstakes tables that offer real money prizes. The modern sweepstakes poker site we recommend is Global Poker.
Can I play cash games online in West Virginia?
Yes, Global Poker has cash games. It’s a modern sweepstakes poker site (see previous Q), so players will need Sweeps Coins to gain entry to tables that offer prizes that can be converted into real money.
Are there online poker tournaments in West Virginia?
Yes, every day. Both ClubWPT and Global Poker host tournaments on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Some tournaments are branded series that are unique to the operator, so winning one can be a special experience.
What types of poker games are available online?
Most of the tournaments on ClubWPT are No-Limit Texas Hold’em (NLH). Most tournaments on Global Poker are also NLH, but Global Poker also offers variants like Omaha Hi-Lo. You will also find bounty tournaments and sit-and-go (SNG) tournaments on Global Poker.
Is PokerStars legal in West Virginia?
PokerStars is not currently available in the Mountain State, but the operator said shortly after West Virginia joined MSIGA that it would “review [its] options there.” That strongly suggests it could be one of the first real money online poker platforms to launch in the state.
Will West Virginia have real money online poker operators anytime soon?
Yes, we expect that multiple real money online poker operators will want to launch in the Mountain State now that the state is a member of MSIGA and its online poker market won’t be segregated. It will still be a small market, however, so expectations should be tempered accordingly.
Why doesn’t West Virginia have any real money online poker operators?
Real money online poker operators — like PokerStars, BetMGM Poker, and WSOP — have so far avoided launching in West Virginia because it was a small, segregated market. It’s not a segregated market anymore, now that the state has joined MSIGA. We expect at least one operator will likely launch in the Mountain State in the near future.
Do real money online poker operators need to do anything before they can launch?
The West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC) has asked operators interested in offering multi-state poker to submit a letter of intent to gain the necessary approvals before launching. Michigan regulators imposed similar requirements before that state joined MSIGA in May 2022. Operators must be approved by the WVLC before offering real money online poker in WV.
Can I play online poker on offshore sites?
Since offshore poker sites do not offer the same consumer protection level as legal, regulated sites, they are not recommended. Players on offshore sites are at risk of identity theft because they are disclosing their financial and personal information. Federal officials have warned US citizens not to use offshore sites because they have no legal recourse to collect winnings owed to them.