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PTPoker Tournaments in West Virginia in 2024 – WV Poker Tournaments Schedule & Results
Read on and learn about the biggest poker tournaments in the Mountain State
Although West Virginia has frowned upon all gambling forms in the past, the situation has changed over the years. The Mountain State now allows sports betting, land-based racinos, horse racing, bingo, lottery, and daily fantasy sports. Plus, it’s the seventh state to legalize online casinos and poker.
However, online poker sites haven’t arrived yet because no iGaming company has stepped up to meet the demand. Poker players have five land-based casinos offering a solid number of cash games and tournaments, but many still join international poker platforms instead.
In this review, we’ll discuss all poker-related news in West Virginia and update you on the poker tournament schedules. Let’s dive right in.
Poker Tournaments in West Virginia
Online poker has been part of the West Virginia legal landscape since March 2019, making way for the launch of online casinos in 2020. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet. WV State delegates, including Shawn Fluharty, pushed hard toward online poker legalization years before that, sponsoring several bills.
However, when this finally came to pass in 2019, and the state authorized the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, there was no movement from any company or government body that would suggest the debut of this sector.
According to the law, all five brick-and-mortar casinos would be eligible to apply for a license from the state’s gaming commission. Even though several sportsbooks launched their websites soon after, no online poker operators have partnered with any of the brick-and-mortar casinos. Consequently, you won’t be able to find or join any legal online poker tournaments in the Mountain State.
Online Poker Tournaments in West Virginia
Even though the online poker industry hasn’t taken off yet, this isn’t going to stop industry experts from speculating about who will launch online poker sites in the future. BetMGM tops the chart for now because of its connection to the state and the existing partnership with the Greenbrier. Another potential candidate is PokerStars for the same reason.
It appears that the main obstacle to online poker is the WV small player pool. The state has a population of only 1.7 million, which makes it unattractive to major poker operators. Joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association (MSIGA) and sharing the player pools with other association participants could save the day. The West Virginia Lottery gives the state permission to enter such agreements, so we’ll have to wait and see how the situation unfolds.
Nevertheless, WV poker players are not entirely left without options. They can join offshore poker sites, which don’t comply with the state regulations since they are based in foreign jurisdictions. The state doesn’t allow them, but it also doesn’t ban them, and without an explicit provision in the law, such platforms fall in the gray zone.
Many players use this loophole to play poker without legal repercussions. On these sites, they can enjoy everything from classic to niche poker variations and participate in a slew of tournament formats, including freezeouts, shoutouts, bounties, satellites, heads up, and others. There are also DeepStacks and multi-table tournaments (MTTs) offering massive guaranteed prize pools that sometimes go over seven figures.
Land-Based Poker Tournaments in West Virginia
Although West Virginia has had a long history of gambling, most forms were illegal initially. Ever since its Constitution was ratified in 1872, the state took an unfavorable view of gambling. Things changed slightly at the beginning of the 20th century when underground operations started flourishing.
At the time, underground mafia and gangsters opened their saloons, offering illicit gambling activities. The tide finally turned in 1933 when the state legalized horse racing and founded the West Virginia Racing Commission. Other forms followed soon after, and the state added greyhound racing, bingo, raffles, lotteries, and charitable gaming to the mix.
The 1990s brought another change, and racetracks were first allowed to install video terminals. In 2007, they could finally include table games into their offerings, which was the beginning of the legal poker era in West Virginia.
Currently, the Mountain State has four racinos and one commercially owned casino. They are:
- Mardi Gras Casino & Resort (1985)
- Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races (1933)
- Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack (1866)
- The Greenbrier (1913)
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort (1951)
It’s worth noting that some of these gambling hubs have special rules. For instance, the Greenbrier prohibits WV residents from entering the casino. Instead, it is only available to hotel guests and private club members wearing proper attire. When it comes to poker, only three of them have poker rooms, offering cash games and regular tournaments, but we’ll talk more about it below.
How to Register for an Online Poker Tournament in West Virginia
Registering for an online poker tournament in West Virginia won’t take more than several minutes, but you must first join a poker room. Here’s how to do that:
Select a poker room from our list
This page features some of the best poker platforms that you can find in West Virginia. Go through the list, and pick the one that suits you best.Signup
Look for the Register button on the website and start the registration process. Provide your personal information and contact details, and comply with the site’s terms and conditions. You can register with several poker rooms at once and compare their tournament offers.
At this point, most operators will require you to verify your account via email, SMS, or both. When you complete this step, they will allow you to access your account.
Deposit & Play
Go to the banking section and browse the available payment methods. Before you opt for one, check the fees, limits, the minimum required amount to claim the welcome bonus, and whether you can use the same payment gateway for deposits and withdrawals. Then, you can make the deposit.Once you deposit the required amount, you’ll qualify for the welcome promotion. Redeem this bonus for a chance to increase your bankroll.
Explore the available tournaments, and opt for the one that aligns with your skill level and budget. Take a seat, and good luck!
West Virginia Land-Based Casinos With Poker Tournaments
As mentioned, the Mountain State has four racinos and one casino, but only three offer cash games and poker tournaments. The largest is Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, with 15 tables, while Mardi Gras Casino and Wheeling Island Casino have six and nine tables, respectively.
These gambling venues typically offer Limit and No-Limit Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Limit and Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better, among other games. There are low buy-in games, starting at $1 or $2, but high-rollers can participate in those ranging from $80 to $150, with guarantees up to $10,000.
Besides gambling, these casinos provide accommodations, fine and casual dining, entertainment, wellness, and other services as well.
Here are the live poker rooms in West Virginia where you can play if you’re 21:
| Poker room | Address | Number of poker tables |
| Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | 750 Hollywood Dr, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414 | 16 |
| Mardi Gras Casino & Resort | 1 Greyhound Dr, Cross Lanes, West Virginia 25313 | 6 |
| Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack | 1 S Stone St, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 | 9 |
West Virginia Poker Tournament Schedule
Various poker tournaments are available to residents and visitors of West Virginia throughout the year. You can find the full schedule of poker events here:
No Events Currently
Check back again, An event maybe on its way soon
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Final Thoughts
Currently, there are no plans for online poker sites in West Virginia, though major sportsbooks like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel have already started operating there. This gives hope to local poker players that online poker could eventually become a reality.
The small WV poker player pool is the main barrier keeping online poker sites from entering the market, but joining might speed things up and make a big difference. In the meantime, WV poker enthusiasts can register with international poker sites and participate in a wide variety of cash games and tournaments. Take your pick from the list above, and start playing now!
FAQ
Are online poker tournaments legal in West Virginia?
Yes, online poker has been legal in the Mountain State since 2019. Although the legislation allows it, this industry hasn’t picked up yet, and currently, you won’t find any state-licensed poker sites operating in WV. Consequently, you won’t be able to participate in any online poker tournaments legally within state borders.
Are there any land-based poker rooms in West Virginia?
Yes, there are. West Virginia is home to five brick-and-mortar casinos, but only three have dedicated poker rooms.
Can I play online poker tournaments in West Virginia on mobile?
Of course. Most offshore poker platforms support mobile devices. Thus, you can access their sites via tablet or phone, through an app or mobile browser.
What authority oversees online and land-based poker in West Virginia?
Online gambling, sports betting, and brick-and-mortar casinos are all under the supervision of the West Virginia Lottery Commission, founded in 1985.
What is the minimum gambling age in WV?
The minimum gambling age for traditional and video lottery machines is 18, but to enter land-based casinos, you must be 21. On the other hand, international sites usually accept players who are 18.