Poker Tournaments West Virginia

Free Poker Online in West Virginia. Free poker can be a great way to learn the game without the pressure of losing real money. The majority of real money poker sites offer poker tutorials, poker school, or free poker games using virtual currency. Some even offer online articles and blogs focusing on helping players improve their games. Tourney Tracks is the ultimate resource for poker tournaments in the United States. Find major events sortable by state, tour, or month in our comprehensive upcoming poker tournament list, check out our Tournament Efficiency Rating to compare poker tourneys and bookmark our page with the official TDA rules. West Virginia online poker history. West Virginia lawmakers picked away at the possibility of online poker for three consecutive years before a bipartisan effort finally stuck in 2019. The WV Lottery Interactive Wagering Act was the vehicle, with online poker and casino gambling lumped together under the new authorization. West Virginia online poker quirks. The West Virginia Lottery approved its emergency rules for online poker in May 2020. Thus, the regulatory agency became able to begin approving online poker operators for setting up shop in the state at that time. Mountaineer Casino poker tournament schedule and information, including starting times, buy-ins, prize pool guarantees, and freerolls.

Online Poker in West Virginia

Important WV Notes

• Licensed poker sites offshore legally allow WV players
• State officials are looking at legalizing internet gambling
• Ample poker rooms offered at casinos and racetracks
• Charity, lottery, pari-mutuel, comm. casinos, racetracks legal
• Tribal casinos are not allowed in West Virginia

Operating an online poker business is not considered legal in the state of West Virginia. The Mountain State has no legislation which authorizes online poker or gambling, nor has it developed an authority to oversee an online poker industry. There is no licensing framework that allows operators to apply for online poker licenses. Despite these facts, poker players from West Virginia continue to play at offshore sites and regularly wager for real money legally.

Future Outlook of Online Poker in West Virginia – Estimated date of legalization: 2018-2019

The following graph tracks our expected legislation of online poker in West Virginia on a state law level. It is currently already legal on a Federal level. This graph monitors the current rise or fall of expected legalization.

Recent Activity
Despite its small population of 1.85 million people – ranked the 38^th smallest state in the US – West Virginians have a healthy appetite for gambling. This fact alone allows one to believe that online poker legislation is only a matter of time in West Virginia.

In 2012, the West Virginia Lottery Commission began an assessment on how it would react to the US Department's announcement that the Wire Act applies only to sports betting – essentially making online gambling legal if adopted by states. The Lottery stated that in order to proceed, it would require state legislation. Although no such legislation has been submitted or passed yet, it shows that the issue is one that is being at least considered by gambling authorities.

Regarding online poker, the Director of the West Virginia Lottery Commission, John Musgrave said at the time:'We realize in the industry that there are an awful lot of dollars that are being funneled out of the country with some of the online poker sites. I know there has been interest in the industry, in those states with casino gaming, to allow casinos to do something similar. We're looking at that. We don't have a decision made or know what direction we're moving in at this time.'

In more recent years, it has been mentioned over and over again that West Virginia is a natural partner to sign an interstate online poker compact with Delaware, which became the second state in the US to legalize online gambling. Delaware's small population makes it difficult for the state to support a standalone gambling industry, and therefore signing a compact with neighboring states makes good economic sense.

In 2012, an op-ed[A] written for Crime in the Suites mentioned the natural partnership between Delaware and West Virginia, but noted that the latter would first need to pass similar legislation in order to put a compact into effect. In 2014, Delaware signed a compact with Nevada, another state with legal online poker options, perhaps pushing a compact date between Delaware and West Virginia further off.

What could be the deciding factor for West Virginia is the growing competition in the land casino market in the area. Gambling revenues continue to decline, and, coupled with tough competition from neighboring states, West Virginia may have to seek out other sources of revenues – with online poker being a natural choice. West Virginia filed a bill (HB 3067) on March 14, 2017 which would legalize online gambling (poker and casino games), but the bill did not advance any further.

History of Gambling in West Virginia

Gambling Laws in West Virginia

Gambling is a popular and acceptable pastime in the State of West Virginia as long as it is done in a regulated environment. Unfortunately, for those trying to understand the way lawmakers define gambling exactly, the wording is very vague, and open to much interpretation. There is no direct definition of what constitutes gambling in West Virginia. Instead, the law hints at what constitutes gambling based on several related charges.

Section 61-10-4[D], for example lists offenses that could be considered a misdemeanor: 'If any person bet or play at any such gaming table, bank or device as is mentioned in the first section of this article, or if, at any hotel or tavern, or other public place, or place of public resort, he play at any game except bowls, chess or backgammon, draughts or a licensed game, or bet on the sides of those who play at any game, whether the game be permitted or licensed or not, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.'

The law continues: 'If any person who shall keep or exhibit a gaming table, commonly called A.B.C. or E.O. table, or faro bank, or keno table, or any slot machine, multiple coin console machine, multiple coin console slot machine or device in the nature of a slot machine, or any other gaming table or device of like kind, under any denomination, or which has no name, whether the game, table, bank, machine or device be played with cards, dice or otherwise, or shall be a partner, or concerned in interest, in keeping or exhibiting such table, bank, machine or gaming device of any character, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.'

State residents have a several real money legal gambling options through a resort casino, pari-mutuel wagering on races, a good number of Vegas style casino games at racinos, as well as traditional and video lottery games run by the state lottery.

Best poker apps 2020. Games of chance may not be played, 'by any person, at any place, public or private' thereby removing the option of social or private gambling in a player's home.

Several charity games (not poker) are allowed as long as they have the relevant licensing requirements.

Darwin casino lagoon rooms. The West Virginia Lottery Commission also regulates slot machines (video lottery terminals), as well as table games at casinos. Patrons need to be at least 21 years of age to play at casinos and slot machine parlors.

Land Based Poker in West Virginia

Poker laws in West Virginia are covered by gambling laws Section 61-10-4 as detailed in the section Gambling Laws in West Virginia above.

West Virginians have a good range of legal terrestrial poker options, mostly at several racinos located around the state such as the Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino, and the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The River Poker Room at the Mountaineer offers 24 hour poker action, including regular promotions and tournaments. The Hollywood Casino offers no limit action around 50 tables, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Daily poker tournaments run at the casino, as do regular promotions and events.

When it comes to home poker games, it seems that these are not legal under West Virginia law, although the chance of authorities actually enforcing the law and prosecuting home poker players is tiny.

Charity gambling laws make no exception for the game of poker, and therefore the game cannot be played at charity events.

Racinos around West Virginia offer Vegas style casino action, which could be regarded as land casinos in every sense of the word. The state also boasts one free standing casino resort (non connected to a race track), the Greenbrier, which, according to its site, 'combines high roller thrills and high class style to create an unforgettable Greenbrier gaming experience.' The casino boasts a 103,000 square foot venue which is packed with world class gaming at its best. There are 320 state of the art slot machines, as well as 37 table games (including blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, three card poker and Texas Hold 'em poker). Players have to be 21 years of age or older to enter and play at the casino.

The state's other four casinos are part of a race track complex.

• The Mardi Gras Casino and Resort is open 24 hours a day, while the greyhound racing facility includes simulcast horse racing wagering. The casino has a 40 table poker room, 1062 slot machines (including video poker) and 31 table games such as blackjack.
• The Wheeling Island Racetrack is a popular dog track open daily. The track offers bingo and horse race simulcast wagering, while the casino has a nine table poker room, as well as table games and 1,8000 slot machines.
• The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town is a horse race facility that hosts thoroughbred racing and a 24/7 entertainment resort. The 184,000 square feet casino floor offers a poker room and over 3,200 video slot and poker machines.
• The Mountaineer Casino Racetrack features thoroughbred racing and is open 24/7. Race wagering is available in season, while punters can also enjoy simulcast racing throughout the rest of the year. The casino offers 2,100 slot and video machines and 45 table games.

West Virginia's largest casino, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, announced that it would be adding a 1,200 seat concert venue[E] as it seeks to fend off increased competition from neighboring state, Maryland. The venue will be located on the casino floor and was completed in July 2014. In recent years, Maryland casinos have threatened the revenues of Hollywood Casino.

There are no Native American casinos at this time in West Virginia.

Racing in West Virginia is governed by the West Virginia Racing Commission[F] which promotes and regulates live racing at four race tracks in the state: two thoroughbred horses and two greyhounds. Under West Virginia gambling law, licensed horse racing/dog racing and pari-mutuel wagering is allowed.

West Virginia was one of the forty six (with the exception of Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon) to opt into the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, essentially placing a federal blanket ban on sports betting in the United States. In recent years, New Jersey has been fighting for the right to opt out of PASPA and has taken the matter as far as the Supreme Court. In May, 2013, four states – Virginia, Georgia, Kansas and West Virginia – filed joint briefs to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, informing the court of their formal support for New Jersey's attempt to overturn the federal ban on sports betting.

From this it can be understood that if New Jersey is successful in its appeal, it will pave the way for states such as West Virginia to introduce their own legal sports betting regimes.

Video lottery machines, also known as slot machines, were approved in 1994 at West Virginia's four thoroughbred and greyhound racetracks, subject to restrictions of the law. Voters in the counties where each track is located had to approve the issue.

The state legislature passed the Limited Video Lottery Act in 2001, limiting the number of video lottery machines in adult environments. The bill essentially outlaws ‘grey' or ‘poker' machines and restricts the number of video lottery terminals to no more than 9,000. The West Virginia Lottery Commission is the deciding authority.

As noted, the West Virginia Lottery Commission governs over the state lottery and also regulates slot machines and table games at the four race track gaming establishments and the fifth, stand alone casino resort. Since its launch in 1986, the lottery has raised more than $8 billion in proceeds for the state.

The lottery offers multiple games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Hot Lotto, Daily 3, Daily 4, Cash 25, Keno and instant games. The minimum age to purchase lottery ticket in West Virginia is 18.

An anecdote: The most noted American lottery winner, Jack Whittaker[G], won the (then) biggest Powerball jackpot in history – $315 million – on a ticket which he purchased in West Virginia in 2002.

Charitable games in West Virginia are governed by laws 47-20-1[H]. In general, games of bingo run by charitable organizations are allowed under state laws, as long as the organizations are licensed by the West Virginia State Tax Commissioner[I]. Raffles can also be held, with the law dictating as follows:

'Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article to the contrary, any charitable or public service organization which has been in existence in this state for at least one year is hereby authorized to conduct raffles without compliance with the licensing provisions of this article: Provided, That any prize awarded in any single raffle at a raffle occasion may not exceed in value the sum of four thousand dollars: Provided, however, That the cumulative gross proceeds derived from the conduct of raffle occasions by any such charitable or public service organization shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars during any calendar year: Provided further, That any such organization shall not be subject to the record keeping provisions of section sixteen of this article but shall maintain a separate accounting for the operation of raffles. All records required by this section shall be maintained for at least three calendar years and shall be available for reasonable inspection by the commissioner.'

Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
(C) Copyright PokerWebsites.com, 2018

References and Citations

West Virginia online poker is on its way!

In a time when meeting up for a poker game is becoming increasingly difficult, many poker players would like to be able to turn to their mobile devices and computers and play the game they love. For West Virginians, their day of jubilee is fast approaching.

Online poker has always been the lowest priority on online gambling expansion list. To that end, there are certainly some issues that poker operators will have to hammer out before they can launch.

Whenever and however West Virginia online poker happens, though, this page will be your best source of information. As more WV poker sites join the party, you will find the very best and latest in details, updates and, best of all, bonuses at West Virginia poker sites.

Best Online Sweepstakes Poker:

Is online poker legal in West Virginia?

Yes. By virtue of the passage of the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (H-2934) in March 2019, most forms of online gambling became legal under West Virginia law. The bill specifically legalized online poker as part of the expansion.

When will online poker launch in WV?

It is hard to know exactly when we expect WV online poker sites to launch. However, the initial timeline estimated online poker would debut in West Virginia in late 2020 or early 2021.

Whenever a gambling expansion occurs, there is always a lag time between the law and the promulgation of rules by which the overseeing body will administer the practice in the state.

West Virginia's gambling authority is the West Virginia Lottery. The name of the bill reflects the fact that all gambling in the state is, in a sense, an extension of the lottery itself.

By the wording of the law, lottery officials were compelled to issue 'emergency' rules by July 2020. The word 'emergency' in this context is more to indicate that the rules themselves are temporary, rather than any kind of inherent time pressure.

Regardless of what their definition of the word was, lottery officials have already submitted and are moving forward with their set of temporaryrules. However, the state's plans to take its sweet time in issuing licenses and getting underway have been dashed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outpouring of business and interest in online poker as the result of land-based poker's temporary hiatus has inspired regulators and operators to push forward as quickly as possible. Thus, statements from regulators are guiding our estimates for the timeline of online poker's launch in West Virginia.

Best poker apps in WV

Of course, until they launch or announce their plans, we won't know exactly which apps will be the first to market. However, given that online poker sites must partner with an in-state casino in order to do business, we do have some indication about which sites might have the inside track.

BetMGM Poker

The first obvious choice to launch an online poker site in West Virginia is MGM. The casino giant has already launched its BetMGM sportsbook product in conjunction with The Greenbrier, so an expansion would seem to make sense.

In all likelihood, MGM will simply integrate its online poker software into the existing product. It's just not clear how soon the company will do so.

PokerStars WV

Poker Tournaments West Virginia

The other frontrunner to launch an online poker site in WV is PokerStars. Thanks to a merger between parent company Flutter Entertainment and FanDuel, PokerStars now has an in-state connection at the Greenbrier as well. The undisputed king of online poker in the world is, no doubt, interested in expanding its profile as far as it can.

The only hurdle to launches from both of these companies is the law itself. Each of West Virginia's five casinos are permitted only one online poker skin, so both of these titans could not exist as extensions of The Greenbrier.

However, given the rapidity with which partnerships can form, there's no reason to assume that one of these companies would be unable to jump ship to another homegrown casino location's license.

The other four casinos in the state have yet to indicate a preference for a poker distributor yet. Although they will likely do so in the near future, online poker in West Virginia is not the slam dunk that it might be elsewhere.

Why WV online poker is problematic for companies

Given the imminent nature of the launch of online poker sites in West Virginia, you might think that there'd be a bigger rush to secure a spot in the market from online poker operators. However, West Virginia's low population creates an undeniable hurdle for these companies to negotiate. The reason why online poker is lowest on the priority list is due to the liquidity requirement that the game possesses. In other words, it is absolutely essential for a certain number of people to play online poker in order for an app to remain a viable business product.

Because West Virginia's population is not terribly high, there are concerns that it may be difficult for WV poker sites to field a player pool at all. Even if they manage to get going, keeping a steady stream of new customers may prove untenably challenging.

This undeniable problem could be part of the reason that online poker sites have not simply rushed into the state in search of partnerships. However, if West Virginia could manage to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement and share its liquidity across states, there might be more of a groundswell of support.

So far, the state has appeared ready to do so, but a new interpretation of the Wire Act remains under debate in federal court. Until the case is resolved, and favorably so for the states, West Virginia online poker will have to stand on its own, for better or worse.

How online poker in West Virginia will work

When online poker finally launches in West Virginia, the first thing to do will be to download the app to your phone.

Most of the top poker apps will have dedicated options for both iPhone and Android users, and the procedure will be mostly the same as for other types of apps. However, before they begin the process, Android users will need to allow for unknown source downloads due to Google's ban on gambling apps in the Google Play Store.

One quirk for poker sites that does not happen with WV online casinos and sportsbooks is the preference to download full clients to their laptops or desktops. Because of the nature of online poker and the logistics for multi-tabling, players often need, for lack of a better term, more space.

How to deposit and cash out quickly

Poker Tournaments In West Virginia

After registration, you will need to get some money into your new poker account. Look for a button that says 'Cashier,' 'Deposit' or something else to indicate the banking section of the site.

Now, like all online businesses, poker sites rely upon players being able to move money in and out of their poker accounts quickly. So they have a vested interest in making the process as painless as they can. Thus, there are usually several options to make a deposit, and you should choose the one that works best with your financial situation.

Typical deposit methods include:

• Credit or debit card
• Electronic check/ACH
• Electronic wallet (PayPal, Skrill, etc.)
• Online banking/wire transfer
• Money order/paper check
• PayNearMe (via 7-Eleven)
• Cash at the land-based casino cage

One thing to note about credit cards, however, is that many banks refuse to process transactions with gambling websites. Even some larger banks, like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo will flatly refuse to let a request go through.

Even if your bank does approve a deposit to a poker site, it may consider the transaction to be a cash advance. As such, you may find yourself on the hook for some heavy fees, so make sure to check your terms of service before you attempt to deposit with a card.

Finally, if you have a poker bonus code to enter, you will need to do so when you sign up or make your deposit. There will be an optional space on the deposit page to enter the code, but be careful to enter it correctly, as the codes must be both specific and case-sensitive to activate their bonuses.

How to play online poker in WV

Once you've created and funded your account, you will notice that the vast majority of games available online will be for no-limit Texas Hold 'em. The most popular poker game in the world retains its stranglehold in the virtual sphere, and, with the exception of an occasional pot-limit Omaha game, it will be the only game in town — especially if traffic is low.

Most poker sites offer the following types of poker games for you to play:

• Cash games — The value of chips is equal to their monetary value, and you can buy in for as much or as little as you like within a certain range. You can also rebuy any time you like, and come and go as you please.
• Tournaments — You pay a set fee to reserve a place, and each player is issued the same value of chips to start. The chips have no direct relationship to their monetary value, and you play until you either lose all your chips or win every chip in play. Winnings are awarded based upon the order in which players are eliminated, with the last to remain receiving the biggest payout.
• Sit-n-gos — A form of tournament in which the number of entrants is strictly defined beforehand, and the game does not begin until that exact number is met. Because the number of players is predetermined, the prize amounts are known from the beginning of play.

There are other types of games you may encounter, particularly on some of the larger sites. One of these variations is the jackpot sit-n-go, in which you will sit with two other players in a winner-take-all contest for a randomly determined prize. These tournaments increase the big blinds at blindingly fast intervals and involve quite a bit of luck.

Another type of online poker game you may find is a fast-fold game. This version of a cash game will shuttle you to a new hand at a different table the second that you fold the previous hand, so it is a way to play even more hands than at a typical table. However, you sacrifice the ability to learn your opponents' tendencies in this variant, and the winning hand will tend to be higher in rank than a typical cash game.

Online poker bonuses

One major difference between live and online poker rooms is that there is a much greater chance to find a bonus, promotion or spiff online than there is in the retail setting.

There are several types of poker bonuses available once the West Virginia poker sites are live. They include:

• No deposit bonuses — The site deposits cash or bonus dollars, which are playable onsite, into your account, and you don't have to do anything beyond register for an account or enter a specific promo code.
• Deposit/match/reload bonuses — The poker site will match all or a portion of your deposit amount, thereby adding an extra percentage into your account once you complete the deposit.
• Freeroll tickets — Instead of receiving cash or bonus money, a site may elect to issue you tournament tickets or entries into special free tournaments.
• Loyalty programs — For your play, you will receive points or credits in a loyalty program or system. These systems award prizes and perks to players who play often, and give preference to those who place the highest aggregate bet totals.

One thing to note is that some of these bonuses come with a few restrictions. One type of restriction is known as a playthroughrequirement, which mandates that players play for a certain amount of time and pay a certain amount of rake before they can receive their bonus money as bona fide cash. Usually, bonuses with playthrough requirements on poker sites will release the cash in incremental amounts.

The other thing to keep in mind is that many playthrough requirements will also come with a time limit. So, after a certain point in the future, any unredeemed funds from your bonus account revert back to the poker site. One thing to consider before you opt into a bonus is how feasible the timeframe is for your lifestyle — very few poker bonuses are worth putting in the extra hours and affecting the attention you give to other life commitments.

One other thing to keep in front of you is the fact that there may be some crossover opportunities between poker and the other types of online gambling in the state. Keep your eyes peeled for those, especially if you enjoy playing in online casinos or betting on sports through your mobile device.

West Virginia online poker quirks

Poker Tournaments West Virginia

The West Virginia Lottery approved its emergency rules for online poker in May 2020. Thus, the regulatory agency became able to begin approving online poker operators for setting up shop in the state at that time.

However, the rules, as released to the public, indicate that there are some specifics that will make playing in West Virginia a bit different Online poker nederland ideal. from in other locations.

For one thing, the rules require that seating at online tables be randomized as a default position. Although players can request specific seats at a table, they will have to sit at specially sequestered tables with other players who chose that option. Otherwise, typical players will only be able to choose their preferred table, not their position at it.

Of course, this rule is designed to limit the chances for bum hunting in the state. Seat selection is one of the more predatory activities in all of poker, and state officials are clearly worried that a shark-infested player pool will drive off all the recreational players — especially if the sharks can set reminders and target them.

This requirement is much more common overseas than in the US, so its inclusion into the WV Lottery rules is unusual. Nevertheless, the rationale for the rule makes some amount of sense.

Other quirky notes in the West Virginia rules include a requirement for hand histories to be available for the last five hands or more, a concrete ban on bots of any kind and a provision for sites to pay celebrities to play as a promotional item.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the rules mention that 'reciprocal agreements' with other jurisdictions are allowed provided they do not run afoul of federal or state laws. In other words, West Virginia is leaving the door wide open for the state to join the MSIGA, but the federal court battle over the meaning of the Wire Act will have to be resolved before the state moves forward with the plan.

Live poker in West Virginia

All five of West Virginia's casinos maintain poker rooms. They range in size from the two tables at the Greenbrier to the 18 at Mardi Gras. So, to be clear, you can play poker at any of the following locations:

You can play no-limit Texas Hold 'em no matter which casino you choose. However, other games are sporadically available, depending on where you go. They are:

Limit hold 'em

• Hollywood Casino Charles Town
• Mardi Gras Casino
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack

Pot-limit Omaha

• Hollywood Casino Charles Town
• Mardi Gras Casino
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack

Omaha 8 (High-Low)

• Hollywood Casino Charles Town
• Mardi Gras Casino

Seven card stud

• Hollywood Casino Charles Town
• Mardi Gras Casino
• Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack

It's possible that Wheeling Island also offers Omaha high-low. The casino information only lists Omaha, though, so you may want to double-check if you're really in the mood for the split-pot game.