Gambling is one of the main sources of revenue in many American states and is often a major factor in growing the state economy, especially in the Appalachian states. West Virginia has long been in the gambling game, making a lot of revenue, and creating jobs that way. As competition intensifies with neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland, it’s crucial to assess how the Mountain State stacks up in this growing sector.

West Virginia introduced racetrack casinos (known as “racinos”) as far back as the early 1990s, followed by the legalization of in-person table games in the 2000s. By 2018, they made progress by making sports betting legal. While there are many ways to wager in the state, online casino games remain a gray area. Because of this, many residents in WV opt to play games like poker, roulette, and even jackpot slots on offshore international casino sites. While all online casino games are popular, slots are by far the most popular with jackpot slots drawing in players with their huge prize pools that accumulate over time. Offshore and crypto gambling sites are usually licensed and registered internationally but accessible to players in our state and beyond.

In terms of sports betting, West Virginia has done reasonably well, with total wagers going over $1 billion since 2018. They have a competitive tax rate of 10% on sports betting revenue, a very attractive option for operators while still beneficial to the state coffers.

Still, neighboring states are bent on keeping the competition stiff. Pennsylvania and Ohio are doing very well in the sports betting market too. Pennsylvania has a larger population and a well-established gambling industry. They reported over $5 billion in sports wagers just in 2023 alone. Ohio is a rookie by comparison, but it quickly made up ground by generating nearly $2 billion in its first year after legalizing sports betting in 2023. In comparison, West Virginia’s numbers are quite modest.

West Virginia faces stiff competition in traditional casino revenue too. Their close neighbor Maryland, has major casinos like MGM National Harbor and Live! Casino & Hotel in tow, and they reported over $2 billion in revenue in 2023. Pennsylvania also has many casinos that, bolstered by their proximity to major cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, consistently outperform West Virginia’s.

West Virginia casinos are mainly located in rural areas, so their customer base is fairly limited compared to casinos in urban settings. They face both challenges and opportunities in the quest to stay competitive in the gambling revenue arena. One of the challenges faced is the sheer lack of numbers. West Virginia has around 1.7 million residents, which may seem like a lot but in comparison to neighboring states, it’s rather low. In fact, West Virginia has a much smaller population compared to its neighbors and so they don’t really have much of a domestic market advantage.

It is clear that although West Virginia’s gambling sector came first and rules in terms of seniority, the other states have some major advantages that provide tough competition for West Virginia. As surrounding states like Ohio and Maryland expand their gambling offerings, West Virginia will need to improve on tech offerings and appeal to more locals and tourists alike to improve its earnings and raise its standing in the Appalachian gambling arena.