Online Casinos Go Live in West Virginia

West Virginia steps in to become the fourth US state to legalize online casinos

There are now four states where gambling at online casinos is legal. West Virginia is the latest to join the list, following the launch of the DraftKings Casino in the Mountain State. West Virginia has joined New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, which were previously the only states where legal online gambling was permitted. Lawmakers in West Virginia had previously been reluctant to introduce online gambling in the state; however, their stance has softened.

DraftKings Casino has launched in partnership with Penn National Gaming’s Hollywood Casino. The operator will have its casino website, as well as its WV mobile app, which comes in two versions to suit both iOS and Android devices.

DraftKings Delves into Online Casino Gambling

DraftKings is known across the country for its Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) website, which has been running since 2012. When the sports betting ban was overturned in the US Supreme Court, several states began to pass laws to make online betting legal and regulated.

DraftKings sensed an opportunity very early and applied for a license in states that were open to online gambling across the United States. This idea proved to be hugely successful as their sports betting platform has performed well in states such as New Jersey. Encouraged by this success, DraftKings decided to venture into the online casino world. The operator launched its online casino in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The DraftKings casino launched in Pennsylvania on May 1, 2020, and this was followed by the standalone casino app launching in New Jersey on June 24, 2020. Before becoming an independent platform, the casino offering was integrated into the NJ DraftKings sportsbook. This has led to the DraftKings casino website now being live in West Virginia.

What Casino Games can you play on DraftKings?

Online slots are the most prominent games available in the DraftKings Casino gaming portfolio in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There are numerous types of slots, such as progressive jackpot slots, 3-reel, 5-reel slots, and more. DraftKings works with some of the most well-known software providers, such as NetEnt, IGT, and Spin Games.

Residents and Visitors to West Virginia may have to wait a while to access slots as they are usually the last to be regulated. However, players in the Mountain State will still have access to classic casino games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and more.

More States to Follow?

Currently, there are only four states that offer legal online casino gambling, but the Coronavirus pandemic could drastically alter the landscape. While social distancing is a reality, meaning land-based casinos cannot perform how they usually would, online gaming is a viable alternative.

Additionally, the success of states where online gambling is already legal shows that during unprecedented events like this pandemic, online gaming can be an essential source of income for the state budget. While the world continues to figure out a way to live with the virus until a vaccine or treatment is found, online gambling could be the way to go.

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