West Virginia Horse Racing Betting – Best Betting Sites in WV 2022

Horse racing commands a religious following in the Mountain State. Fans have indulged in pari-mutuel betting since 1930. Home to the iconic Mountaineer Park, a facility that hosts no less than 200 horse races, it is evident horse racing remains a staple in West Virginia. But how does horseracing betting fare online? Since horse racing was legalized in WV, numerous operators have opened shop. This guide reveals all you need to know about the best West Virginia horse racing betting sites.

Whether you’re new or a seasoned bettor in West Virginia, it’ll be worth your while to browse our list of top horse racing betting platforms.

Ranking The Top 10 Betting Sites for Horse Racing In West Virginia

We’ll first outline what we consider the best betting sites for horse racing in West Virginia and why. Our in-house experts crafted the list below after spending hours reviewing numerous racebook sites with careful intent.

1. BetOnline – Impressive risk-free bet welcome bonus.
2. XBet – Competitive horse racing odds.
3. Bovada – Comprehensive coverage of horse racing tracks.
4. MyBookie – Offers some of the best promotions on the market.
5. BetUS – Beginner-friendly horse betting site.
6. BUSR – Fantastic horse racing betting markets.
7. Sportsbetting.ag – Reputable horse racing site with over 20 years of experience.
8. BetNow – Broad selection of horse betting options.
9. GTBets – Best horse racing betting tips.
10. BetanySports – Fastest-growing horse racing betting platform.

Reviewing The Best West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Sites

At a glance, all betting sites specializing in horse racing in West Virginia appear similar. It’s only after you scratch beneath the surface do you realize there’s more than what meets the eye. Let’s dig deeper into our top five recommended West Virginia horse racing betting platforms to make your selection process easier.

1. BetOnline – Impressive risk-free bet welcome bonus

Some punters need a little nudge when deciding whether to join a particular horse racing betting site. You’ll agree a $25 risk-free horse racing promo code makes your decision easier. BetOnline promises to refund your initial wager if your bet loses with free play worth $25. Rest easy knowing you won’t be making frivolous bets. The operator gives you full track odds to work with. It also helps that funding your account is simple. You have more than ten reputable banking methods to pick from.

Welcome Bonus Offer:

BetOnline tailors two welcome offers—one for conventional bettors who prefer transacting using traditional currency and another for crypto-lovers. A 50% welcome bonus up to $1,000 on your first deposit awaits if you fall among the former. Crypto-enthusiasts will receive a 100% bonus on their first deposit.

Click the tab below to unlock your bonus.

2. Xbet – Competitive horse racing odds

Xbet manages to win the hearts of horse racing punters because of its spotless reputation in several areas. Availing quality odds makes it the bookie of choice, hands down. The operator constantly churns out competitive odds in major horse racing betting markets. It helps that it covers some of the best West Virginia horse racing tracks too. Couple that with the rewarding 7% horse rebate promo code, and it’s apparent the operator means business. After you activate the bonus, you have a wide range of popular horse racing markets to explore.

Welcome Bonus Offer:

Xbet rolls out the red carpet for new sports betting customers with a 100% signup bonus up to $500. You’ll get the reward in the form of free play. A minimum of $45 allows you to unlock the bonus.

To claim your share of the bonus, click below.

3. Bovada – Comprehensive coverage of horse racing tracks

If you’re looking to wager in some of the best horse racing tracks in West Virginia, you might want to stick around this Bovada review page. The sportsbook offers punters a daily dose of racing odds in over five dozen racing tracks in North America. Determined to be perceived as a well-rounded betting site, weekly horse rebates on all your horse racing wagers are on the table. Bettors also enjoy unique odds the operator avails based on the supply and demand of betting lines.

Welcome Bonus Offer:

If you decide to make Bovada your horse racing betting destination, a 100% welcome bonus of up to $1,000 is up for the taking.

Click on the tab below to kickstart your horse racing betting adventure at Bovada.

4. MyBookie – Offers some of the best promotions on the market

The quickest way for a sportsbook to stand out from its competition is by offering enticing promotions. MyBookie proves that it puts as much effort into clinching new customers as it does in retaining them. Existing customers can claim an 8% horse rebate promo code, 25% sports reload bonus, and 250% referral bonus. What’s even more alluring is you get to use the promotions on a decent selection of horse racing events. And the operator offers competitive odds too. Funding your account and withdrawing funds is pretty straightforward, and a responsive customer service team is on standby if you face any hurdles.

Welcome Bonus Offer:

You have the opportunity to double your initial deposit if you register with MyBookie. That’s owing to the generous 100% match deposit up to $1,000 offered by the sportsbook. You need to make an initial deposit of $50 to claim the bonus.

To check out the MyBookie welcome offer, click below.

5. BetUS– Beginner-friendly horse betting site

Signing at leading horse racing West Virginia betting sites is well and good. But sometimes, well-established operators have a lot going on, from comprehensive betting markets to numerous betting lines. Naturally, that’s any seasoned bettor’s dream. However, newbies might be overwhelmed. It helps if the bookie makes the site as intuitive as possible. That’s where BetUS excels. Sure, it clinches new players with an exciting promo code, quality odds, and comprehensive betting markets. But placing bets and generally navigating the site is a breeze.

Welcome Bonus Offer:

BetUS has a remarkable 100% sports bonus of up to $2,500 waiting for the new customers. You’ll need to deposit at least $100 to activate the offer. In addition, you must wager the bonus 10 times before you can withdraw.

Click below to activate the BetUS offer now.

More on gambling in West Virginia…

Learn about all types of online gambling in West Virginia in our expert guides below:

• West Virginia Sports Betting
• West Virginia Real Money Online Casinos
• West Virginia Online Gambling

Comparing The Best Sites for Horse Racing West Virginia Has to Offer

To get a realistic picture of a horse racing betting site, you mustn’t view it in isolation. Pitting it against its competitors is the easiest way to ascertain a sportsbook’s brilliance or lack thereof. Below is a quick comparison of our top betting sites’ key horse racing sports betting features.

Horse Racing Odds

Some horse betting sites offer better odds than others. The odds work out even better if a high average high payout is part of the deal. With a horse racing average payout of 91.80%, BetOnline allows punters to enjoy rewarding returns if they win big. The GTbets payout isn’t as high, considering the sportsbook is relatively new.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

The value of a horse racing site lies in the betting market it covers. Ultimately, the more markets, the better. Xbet leaves its competitors behind by availing multiple horse racing betting markets from countries like Australia, France, and the UK. BetanySports doesn’t cover that many markets, preferring to cover other sports like football more extensively.

Live Horse Racing Betting

Some bookmakers have a comprehensive live horse racing betting section better than others. BetNow covers over 200 betting markets live. BetUS impresses by covering over 150 events live, albeit less than BetNow. Punters can catch the action in popular events like the Pegasus World Cup 2022 Futures and Kentucky Derby 2022 Futures.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

Most sportsbooks offer bonuses to entice new customers. However, the caliber of promotions, among other factors, retains them. Most of the sportsbooks on our list provide exciting rebate promotions. But BetUS takes the cup. If you feel like betting on Saturday horse racing in West Virginia, the operator throws in Saturday Stakes moneyback promo.

Special Features for Horse Racing

It’s easier for a horse racing betting site to stand out from the rest of it offers unique features. Bovada differentiates itself from its competitors by providing player reports on horse betting odds. Then you’ll find sites like MyBookie, which set itself apart by offering unique horse racing odds.

Horse Racing Welcome Bonus

Every betting site on our list dangles a new customer signup bonus of some sort. Of course, some operators offer better rewards than their rivals. For instance, Xbet welcomes new players with a 100% deposit bonus of up to $500. MyBookie doubles that figure by offering a staggering 100% match deposit up to $1,000.

User-Friendly Design

A user-friendly platform makes it easier for a bettor to browse a betting site. That means everything from joining and placing wagers to withdrawing should be hassle-free. BetUS has one of the most intuitive web platforms on the market. On the other hand, BetOnline is so comprehensive, so much so the novice bettor might find the site difficult to navigate.

Live Streaming

Horse racing betting sites that not only allow you to place in-play bets but watch the game unfold are in a class of their own. Xbet regards itself as a premium betting site and covers several popular events live. GTbets is among the few bookmakers that don’t allow bettors to live stream horse racing events.

And More…

Over and above the mentioned checklist, we also investigate a horse racing platform’s mobile compatibility. Whether you’re considering betting on horse racing in Evanston, West Virginia, or Leeburg, West Virginia horse racing, you should be able to do so from anywhere. Fortunately, all the sites on our list allow you to wager from anywhere, thanks to their mobile compatibility. That said, XBet has the best mobile platform of the bunch.

How To Choose The Best West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Sites

As we mentioned before, the purpose of this guide is to expose you to what we deem the best horse racing betting sites in West Virginia. Even so, you’ll find some of them are a step ahead of the others. Check out the following key features to help you single out the best of the bunch.

Brand Recognition

If you’re new to horse racing sports betting and not sure how to choose a site, picking a reputable platform is an excellent place to start. Such a sportsbook manages to garner positive support from past and present customers. Lucky for you, every website on our list has been around for a couple of years, if not more.

Payment Methods

After backing your favorite horse event and winning, the last thing you need is to jump through hoops to withdraw your winnings. In the same vein, funding your account should be equally hassle-free. Check for the operator with reputable and secure payment methods you’re familiar with. If you have more options to work with, even better.

Safety & Security

When wagering on betting sites, you’ll need to provide your personal and financial data. Given the delicate nature of such information, you must disclose your information to a safe and secure platform. Picking a sportsbook licensed to operate by the West Virginia horse racing commission is advisable. After licensing, check if the site employs security measures to deter hacking.

Speed & Design

Few things frustrate a gambler more than a slow and disorganized horse racing sports betting site. Look for an operator that prioritizes user convenience. Such platforms are neatly organized for easy navigation. Plus, they partner with top software providers to avail quality and seamless gaming interfaces.

Customer Service

A betting site that heeds and attends to customers’ cries and frustrations is a winner. Opt for betting sites that offer numerous communication channels. Also, ascertain responsiveness and friendliness of support personnel. Quick interaction with a support member via live chat can help you establish this.

Overall Value

After all, is said and done, the mentioned factors shouldn’t be viewed separately when reviewing a horse racing betting site. Instead, approach these aspects holistically to make out if the betting platform will indeed add any value to your gambling pastime or not. With that said, find below a summary of the key factors we consider before recommending a website.

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Is Horse Racing Betting Legal In West Virginia?

Before in our guide, we mentioned how pari-mutuel racing at the horse tracks has been thriving since the 1930s. Following the legalization of pari-mutuel wagering, lawmakers gave horse racing and greyhound racing the green light in 1992. West Virginia has been deemed a pioneer in the field after being the first to legalize racinos. To date, the Mountain State boasts some of the most iconic race tracks in the country. Of importance to note are the Charles Town Races and  Mountaineer Racetrack. But the hype didn’t stop there and quickly infiltrated onto the online betting scene. That’s after online horse racing was legalized in 2018.

Following the legalization of online horse racing, a sizeable number of bookies emerged to cash in on the action. You need to be 21 years and older to place a horse racing bet in the state.

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Horse Betting Guides State by State

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Guide – How To Bet On Horse Races In West Virginia

Whether you’re looking to indulge in horse racing in Chester, West Virginia, or Berkley, fanatics can do so with utmost ease. No longer are you only restricted to visiting a physical racetrack to enjoy your favorite pastime. Several only online betting sites allow you to wager on your preferred events from the comfort of your home.

Needless to say, you’ll need to start by identifying a specific sportsbook you wish to join. BetOnline and Bovada are some of our best picks. However, you can use the features highlighted earlier to pick a site that best suits your needs. Once you single out your bookmaker of choice, you can then visit its official homepage. Joining these platforms is relatively easy, for the most part. After you open your account, you need to make an initial deposit where required and unlock the welcome offer. With your player account up and running, go ahead and place your wagers.

Check Out Our Popular Horse Racing Guides

How Does Horse Racing Betting Work in West Virginia?

If you’re new to horse racing, it’s understandable if you’re not sure how the whole process works. We might as well begin by saying keen interest in horse racing is a good start. Before you commit any of your hard-earned cash on a wager, it’s necessary to gather the essential information to aid your bets. Start by selecting the race you want to wager on. If you’re not aware, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes are the most popular races that happen annually.

Once you choose your event, the next step is to decide the type of wager you want to place. There are several bet types available, such as straight or exotic wagers. We strongly advise you to pick a bet type that matches your skill level. For instance, straight bets are simpler and better suited for beginners. Be sure to also compare odds availed by the bookie before placing your wager.

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Explained

To help you better understand how horse racing betting works, we’ll give you a simple explanation using the race card shown below.

You’ll notice three boxes next to each horse in the image depicted above. You have the option to place the bets win, place, or show. The race card shows the horse’s number, jockey, and morning line with the horse’s name. These odds mean you need to wager the number on the right as the amount to make the number in the left column. Enter your stake by choosing win, place, or show. Click add to bet slip, confirm it, and watch how your stake plays out.

Horse Racing Betting Odds

By now, you should know that odds aren’t for display. They determine how much you’ll walk away with if your predictions are correct. Betting sites gladly avail these odds for you. You simply need to settle for high-quality odds that will give you the highest possible return. From our research, BetOnline and Bovada prove they are in the business of churning out competitive odds consistently.

Below is a mini crash course explaining the three different types of horse racing betting odds in WV.

Fixed Odds for Horse Racing Betting in West Virginia

Fixed odds racing odds refer to the fixed price for an event at any time. When you use fixed odds to wager on the event, there will be no fluctuations in the payout. That’s regardless of any changes to the price that may occur after you place your wager.

Pari-Mutuel Betting in West Virginia

Pari-mutuel betting, also referred to in some circles as pool betting, is when bets of a particular type are placed together in a specific pool. In turn, the operator shares the pool equally among punters who manage to make the winning selection.

Pool Betting on West Virginia Horse Races

Much like pari-mutuel betting, pool betting is where the operator places your wager in a pool. When a bet wins, the operator takes their share, and the remaining amount is shared equally among the bettors who would have won the particular wager.

What Are The Different Types of Horse Racing Bets?

While there are numerous horse racing bet types you can choose from, the following are the most popular. Any first-time punter should get familiar with them.

Win

Arguably, the most popular bet, a Win bet, is when you predict the horse that’ll be the overall winner in an event. You can only win if the horse you wager on wins.

Place

If choosing the overall winning horse in an event is a tall order, you can predict which horse will finish first or second.

Show

When you place a show bet, you’re predicting that a particular horse will wind up anywhere in the top three spots.

Exacta

The Exacta bet is one of the more complex wagers. You have to predict the two horses that’ll come first and second correctly.

Trifecta

It follows that when you place a Trifecta bet, you’re predicting the three horses that’ll come in first, second, and third, correctly.

Superfecta

The Superfecta bet is when you predict the top four horses that’ll finish first, second, third, and fourth in the correct order.

Daily Double

A Daily Double bet is where you predict the winning horse of the first two races in an event.

Pick 3/4/5/6

As the name suggests, you must predict the winner of the number of races per number. In the case of a Pick 3, you’re picking the winning horse of the first three races in an event, etc.

West Virginia Horse Race Tracks

Ask anyone who loves watching horses on the track, and they’ll tell you there’s nothing like the gripping excitement of watching 14 horses race to the cheers of thousands of adoring fans. Like any live sporting event, Saturday horse racing in West Virginia can give you something to look forward to on weekends. It can provide an escape from the monotony of everyday life as you’re never quite sure which horse will win which race. Below, we’ll list some of the best Horse racing tracks in West Virginia and give you a feel of where you can best enjoy your races!

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort – 1420 Mountaineer Cir, New Cumberland, WV 26047, United States

One of the most luxurious West Virginia horse racing tracks on our list, the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, is situated in the scenic hills of northern West Virginia. It offers excellent horse races to watch and bet on, an unforgettable casino experience, and more!

Hollywood Casino at Charlestown Races – 100 Hollywood Dr, Ranson, WV 25438, United States

Located just outside Charles Town, West Virginia, the Hollywood Casino Charles Town Races offers one of the state’s best casinos and horse race tracks. Here, you’ll find a six-furlong thoroughbred horse racing establishment that hosts the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic.

Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack – 1 S Stone St, Wheeling, WV 26003, United States

If you live near Wheeling, West Virginia, and love horse racing, this is the place for you. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is located on Wheeling Island, in the middle of the Ohio River. At this impressive track, not only can you bet on horse races, but also greyhound races!

The History of Horse Racing In West Virginia

Horse racing in West Virginia doesn’t have that much of a storied history. The West Virginia horse racing commission allowed the West Virginia Derby to be held in 1923. The Mountain State wouldn’t see a similarly massive event inaugurated until 1987, with the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic in Charles Town.

West Virginia Horse Racing Schedule 2023

Despite the recent problems hosting races caused by the global covid crisis, 2022, much like the previous year, seems to be a promising one for race fans in West Virginia. The two major Horse racing tracks in West Virginia plan to host their regular events as usual, though the dates on two of them are not precise yet. Check out our chart of 2022’s upcoming races for more information about the events coming down the pipe this year.

West Virginia Derby 2023

I don’t think it’s a question what the biggest race in West Virginia is. The West Virginia Derby takes the spot at the top, being the oldest and most iconic race in the state. Since 1923, the race has been held all over the state. Of course, there have been periods of short (and sometimes lengthy) hiatuses now and again. However, it has most recently been scheduled to be held in Mountaineer Park, which will make it the biggest event in Horse racing, Chester, West Virginia. Below is a recap of last year’s results to hopefully get you excited for what’s to come later in 2022.

Comparing Betting At The Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting

It wasn’t too long ago when your only option was to physically go to a track if you wanted to bet on horse races. However, the rise of the internet has changed this, bringing you endless online gambling opportunities in West Virginia that allow you to bet on your favorite horses from the comfort of your home.

The internet makes gambling on Horse racing in Evanston, West Virginia, and Leeburg West Virginia horse racing possible, even though the only active tracks in the state are in Mountaineer Park and Charles Town. That’s not all. The chart in this section lays out all the differences between online horse race betting and horse race betting at the track.

General Terms and Conditions at Horse Racing Betting Sites in West Virginia

To get a West Virginia horse racing license or an operator’s license, tracks and online gambling sites must comply with state law. For websites, this means having terms and conditions that hope to ensure that users behave in ways that are not illegal or detrimental to the platform and other users. Some terms include being 21 or older before signing up, physically being in the state where the operator is licensed, providing correct contact details for account verification, and not trying to game the system in unfair ways.

Rollover Requirements

Rollover requirements are basically imposed to ensure that a user receiving a bonus is active on the site awarding the bonus. To put it simply, they are the number of times bettors should wager bonus funds before they can withdraw winnings made using bonus funds. An example would be if a $100 bonus has a 10x rollover requirement, a punter would have to bet $1,000 before they can cash out any winnings. Take a look at our chart below to see how the best welcome bonuses from the top horse racing betting sites compare to each other.

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

Bettors can make the most out of their horse racing wagering experience by claiming horse racing promotions. Before you commit to any website, make sure that it will offer the best bonuses. Below you will learn more about the different bonuses that horse racing betting sites usually offer.

Welcome Bonus

The first and most important bonus to look out for when shopping for a West Virginia horse racing website is the welcome or signup offer. You just open an account, and the racebook will match your initial deposit with 100% extra credit. You must then meet the playthrough requirements before collecting your winnings.

Insurance Bet

The Insurance bet helps you find a better landing. Your stake will be returned here if your selection comes second or third, which will always give you the advantage.

Enhanced Odds

To get bettors excited, some betting sites will, for a limited time only, increase the price on specific horse races. So, this is a beautiful opportunity for you to get the best value.

VIP Program

These exclusive bonuses will do the trick if you are looking for absolute gaming pleasure. Only a select few bettors can participate in the VIP Program, and many sites will have an invite-only policy.

Free Bet

A website will sometimes let you play for free. The site gives you a free bet worth a particular amount that you may use to wager on specific races.

Virtual Horse Racing Betting in West Virginia

West Virginia horse racing fanatics will obviously want to explore more avenues. Well, here is one option you may find exciting. Virtual horse racing betting is when you predict some computerized races. This game uses random number generators, which means the results are always spontaneous. You can access virtual races any hour and place your bets rather than wait for real race days. That is the great thing about virtual horse racing betting.

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Apps

Mobile betting has become a phenomenon among horse racing and sports fans worldwide. Playing on your computer is amazing, but it is obviously much easier to access your betting needs from a mobile device while you go about your business. Many sites have created the best mobile apps for both Android and iPhone.

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Apps for iPhone

Except for Bovada, there doesn’t seem to be any site that offers an iPhone app. However, Horse racing in West Virginia is easily accessible via no-download mobile sites. You can view the odds and place your bets from your iPhone in-browser. This only works to your advantage because you will not use up storage on your device.

West Virginia Horse Racing Betting Apps for Android

There are more options for Android users, but we highly recommend Bovada. Players will quickly find most of the apps from Google Play Store. The apps are free and are available for download in a few easy steps. You can also use the different no-download mobile sites from a compatible browser on your Android smartphone.

How To Start Betti<ng At Horse Racing Sites In West Virginia

To start enjoying Horse racing West Virginia, punters will need to commit to one of the online betting sites on our list. Here’s how you can create an account at one of the best sites for WV.

Step 1: Log on to the correct website

Go to BetOnline or any other site on our list, ensuring that you are on the correct website.

Step 2: Open an Account

Now, find the Join Now button. Enter your personal details as required in the registration form, ensuring that your info is correct.

Step 3: Go to the Horse Racing Section

Log in with your new account. Tap on the menu and navigate to the horse racing section

Step 4: Pick an event

The sites will show you a schedule of all the races available. You should choose an event of your choice.

Step 5: Place your wager

Finally, place your bet. You can start with something simple like the win bet or the place bet.

Other Types of Gambling in West Virginia

There are too few websites with a West Virginia horse racing license, but you can get a real kick out of the unlimited options from our list of horse racing betting sites. These gambling platforms also offer online casino games such as slots, poker, and blackjack.

Sports betting is also available in its full glory for those who would like to bet on football and basketball. Catch up with the latest NBA, NFL, NHL, or College leagues, for an exciting gaming experience.

What Is The Best Site For Horse Racing Betting In West Virginia?

While the West Virginia horse racing commission hasn’t licensed many betting sites to offer horse racing to West Virginians, our list of top sites provides some incredible options for betting on horses. Bovada, SportsBetting, and Xbet are all excellent websites. In fact, all the websites on our list are exceptional. But one really stands out.

BetOnline is a perfect betting platform for Horse racing in West Virginia. In addition to this platform being experienced and reputable, we favored BetOnline for its overall quality. Quick withdrawals, competitive odds, and generous bonuses are some of the top features you can find here. By trying the superb gambling expedition at BetOnline, you’ll immediately qualify for the 100% match welcome bonus up to $1,000.

FAQ

Does Charlestown have live racing?

Yes. You can bet on live racing at the Charlestown racetracks.

What are the best places to gamble in West Virginia?

The Mountain State has a few horse racetracks that offer casino games. However, it’s best to play at online gambling sites like BetOnline and Bovada.

Why is Charlestown Race Track closed?

The current Covid19 pandemic has inhibited many public gatherings. As such, the Charlestown Race Track has been closed.

What’s the best bet to place on the horses?

There are dozens of betting options for Horse racing in West Virginia. But you will find that the Win bet is the most popular.