Upward trajectory continues
Only six states authorize online casino gambling: Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia. West Virginia became the fifth state to legalize online casinos when it passed legislation in February 2019, and the first online casinos launched in July 2020.
2024 has been productive for the state’s online gambling ecosystem. Revenue amounts exceeded the previous month’s total every month except for April due to the record-setting period during March.
West Virginia online casino revenue totals for each month in 2024 are as follows.
- January: $16.4 million
- February: $17.5 million
- March: $20.7 million
- April: $17.8 million
- May: $17.9 million
- June: $18.5 million
- July: $19.1 million
The recent trajectory of revenue totals suggests that August will overtake July for the second-most lucrative month of operation, still behind March.
West Virginia could also soon expand its offerings for local gamblers as part of a multi-state agreement reached in November 2023.
The deal will allow online poker players to compete against players in Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey—but the catch is that West Virginia operators do not offer online poker despite it being legalized more than four years ago.
Vying for position
The Greenbrier Resort, partnered with BetMGM, was the top earner in July, but not by much. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races was only one percent behind in total revenue.
Mountaineer Casinos, which is partnered with BetRivers and Caesars, generated $3.9 million in revenue in July. That was the highest for the brand in any month of operation in West Virginia and brought it to a 19.4 percent market share for local online casinos.
It’s unclear what the exact revenue totals are for each West Virginia online casino since the state gaming commission does not release these numbers.
The upcoming fall calendar is going to be a busy time of year for land-based casinos and online sportsbooks. Whether or not that has any direct effect on the business of online casinos, sports bettors are preparing to turn out en masse when the NFL and college football return to television screens everywhere in the next few weeks.
West Virginia sportsbooks last September accepted $49.9 million in total wagers, 150 percent more than they did during August 2023. Operators paid nearly $408,000 in taxes to the state that month alone.
