Playing Online Poker in WV
Just a few years ago, the West Virginia online poker legislation did not allow people within this state’s borders to gamble legally. Thanks to the House Bill of 2019, poker games are made legal in this state. So, if you were wondering: is online poker legal in West Virginia, the answer is a definite yes.
Still, there are many nuances being worked out since the processed was slowed down during the pandemic. Even so, since West Virginia allowed online poker, you can now easily access and gamble at some of the top-rated WV online casinos, and we’ll gladly tell you all about them.
Keep reading to find out more.
Best online casinos in Virginia
Laws for Playing Online Real Money Poker WV
Is online poker legal in West Virginia today?
Yes, this game is legalized all across the state by virtue of the passage H2934. Under the West Virginia law, many forms of gambling became legal in March of 2019, including poker and its many variants.
Due to the pandemic, the process of opening new poker sites was slowed down, but this swiftly got back on track in the late 2020 and the early 2021. Today, you can gamble at some of the TOP US online poker sites legally from the territory of this state, which is something that was not available just a few years ago.
Gambling of all sorts, including betting on poker games, is regulated by the West Virginia Lottery. According to the bill, all gambling in the state is an extension of the lottery.
As a result of this, big sites like PokerStars, PartyPoker, and WSOP ready to go live in the country, and the prime candidates to receive the first WV licenses.
Now that you know this, you are probably wondering, where can I play real cash poker online WV?
While waiting, players can do some WV online gambling on other sites that accept players from this state. You need to be at least 21 years old to gamble and provide identification documents to prove your identity during the registration process.
If you win over $5,000 in poker tournaments in WV, there’s a 24% federal tax and 6.5% WV state tax if you don’t provide a taxpayer identification number.
How WV Online Poker Works
Players in WV can download the poker app to their phone. Most top-rated casinos will have options for Android and iOS users, but those that use Android will probably have to download the apps directly from the websites and not the store.
There’s also the option to download software to play on your laptop or desktop. The full clients can be downloaded on any desktop device, and while they do take some space, they offer speedy and high-quality gaming.
Stakes You Can Find in Legal WV Online Poker Rooms
Once you pick a poker variant you want to play, you’ll need to choose the stake level based on your budget. This will differ depending on where you gamble, but most poker rooms have a wide selection of stake levels that start at only $0.01 to $0.5 and go up to $1000 or more.
Formats and Variants of the WV Poker Online Games
You’ll find many variants of the game in online poker rooms, much more than you can find in physical casinos. These include popular variants like 7 Card Stud, 32 Card Draw, Razz, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Texas Hold’Em. You can enjoy these in different formats including Fixed Limit, Pot Limit, No Limit, etc.
In addition to the cash games, players in West Virginia can enjoy tournaments and sit-n-go (a tournament kind in which the entrants’ numbers is defined beforehand).
Banking Methods Used for Playing Online Poker WV
If you want to play West Virginia Online Poker, you’ll need to deposit some money into your new account. This option can be found in the “Deposit” or “Cashier” section of the website you selected.
Poker sites, as well as players, are all interested in being able to move their money in and out of their accounts rapidly. This is why you’ll be able to come across different methods for deposits and cashouts in WV. These include, but are not limited to:
- Debit/ Credit cards
- Electronic checks
- E-wallets: PayPal, Skrill, Neteller
- Prepaid cards (available only for deposits)
- Cash at the land-based casino cage, if the online site has one
Bonuses You Can Use on Online Poker Sites Accepting WV Players
A great thing about playing poker online is that you have a high chance of finding a bonus – and a big one for that matter. When you play poker in West Virginia, you can expect to come across welcome promotions available to new players, regular bonuses, and VIP perks.
The most commonly found bonus types include:
- No deposit bonus. The bonus is entered into your account right after you sign up, no deposit needed
- Deposit bonus. This can be a match bonus where the casino matches your deposit, a reload bonus where they give you some extra cash if you spend money on the site, etc.
- Freeroll tickets. Sometimes these sites will give you bonus money to spend, but at other times they will give you tickets to entry tournament of poker.
Playing Online Poker West Virginia on Mobile with an App vs. Site Downloads
As we mentioned, there are two ways to play online poker in West Virginia. Let’s get into them.
Online Poker West Virginia Apps
The first option is to play via apps. Here are the pros and cons of this.
Pros:
- You can use the app on the go since it is on your phone
- Easy and free to download
- High-quality gaming
Cons:
- Apps of this kind take a lot of space
Downloading Software to Play Online Poker in West Virginia
Another option is to download software to play poker on your desktop or laptop. Here are the pros and cons of this option.
Pros:
- Direct access to the poker game – no need to sign in or enter URLs to play
- High-quality gaming without any delays
Cons:
- The game will only be available on your laptop/desktop
- It takes a lot of space
Tournaments for Online Poker for WV
Tournaments are currently available in land-based casinos, but sites like WSOP, PokerStarsWV, and PartyPoker have announced some amazing tournament options for their players in the near future. For example, you’ll be able to play poker online with daily, as well as weekly MTTS with a prize pool over $100,000 at PokerStars West Virginia.
FAQ for Online Poker for West Virginia Residents
- 💲 What methods can I use to deposit on online poker sites for WV players?
- This depends on where you’ll play poker in WV. Some of the most widely accepted methods in the state are e-wallets, credit and debit cards, and online banking systems.
- 💸 What’s the minimum required deposit in West Virginia online poker rooms?
- This again, will depend on where you play online poker. The betting range in West Virginia can start at a rate as low as $0.01 and go up to $1000 per bet – or more.
- 🤔 Can I use PayPal to play online poker in WV?
- Yes. Top-rated sites offer a variety of methods, including e-wallets that are known for their speed and affordability. PayPal is a widely accepted banking method for poker in the state.
- ❓ What poker variations can I find on the best online poker WV sites?
- You’ll find tons of variations of poker on the best sites in WV, including Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Texas Hold’Em, 32 Card Draw, and more.
- 🔒 Is it safe to play online poker real money West Virginia?
- Yes. This is now regulated and legal, which makes it very safe for you to play in West Virginia. Just make sure to gamble at a licensed and approved website – they use SSL encryption to protect your data and offer fair odds.
- ✔️ Who is allowed to play poker in West Virginia?
- You must be at least 21 years old to join a licensed site in WV offering poker. You must also be located within state lines (they use geolocation to check this).
- 🏆 Can I play poker with my friends in Pennsylvania online in WV casinos?
- Some West Virginia poker sites might start sharing players with counterparts in other states, but this is not available just yet. Since this became legal just recently, it is too early, but that doesn’t mean that it will not happen soon.
- 📲 Can I play online poker in West Virginia without downloading the poker client?
- If you play on laptop or desktop, you’ll probably have to download the poker client to gamble. If you play on mobile, you’ll need to download an app to gamble in West Virginia.
- ⭐ Which sites have the best WV online poker rankings?
- Right now, the best ranking in West Virginia goes to WSOP, PokerStarsWV, and Party Poker, with many other great websites announcing their entrance in this region soon.