Gambling In Bars
Gambling in West Virginia. West Virginia has five casinos. Casinos were initially legalized in 1994. West Virginia’s are primarily “racinos” or video lottery games at pari-mutuel dog or horse racing facilities. West Virginia has two operating dog racetracks and two operating horse racetracks. The table games at these casinos are state owned. Casino Pittsburgh, a 100,000-square-foot facility to open this month in the Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield. PBR Pittsburgh, the 10th in the Professional Bull Riders country bar chain, is a.
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Types of Casinos in West Virginia
West Virginia is home to five casinos: one resort hotel and four pari-mutuel facilities (racinos).
Shown below is a list of all casinos in West Virginia. Click on a casino name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.
Want to See a Map of all casinos in West Virginia?
Visit our West Virginia casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.
Details on Casinos in West Virginia
Wisconsin Gambling Machines In Bars
The Greenbrier is the only resort hotel in West Virginia with a casino. The casino is only open to overnight resort guests, members of the hotel’s sporting clubs, or the participants of a convention or an event that are staying off-property (only when all 400 rooms are occupied). Keep in mind that there is a dress code requiring jackets for men after 7 p.m.
All casinos in West Virginia feature live table gaming and VLT’s (video lottery terminals). Video lottery terminals are the same as regular video gaming devices. They are called VLT’s because the state’s lottery commission regulates them and receives a share of each machine’s revenue. VLT games include: blackjack, keno, slots, and several versions of poker.
All casinos in West Virginia also offer the following live table games: roulette, craps, blackjack, and three card poker. Optional games include: pai gow poker, four card poker, poker, mini-baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, Mississippi stud, Spanish 21, and big 6 wheel.
The minimum gambling age in West Virginia is 21 (18 for pari-mutuel betting).
West Virginia Sports Betting
There is legal sports betting in West Virginia casinos. Be sure to check each individual casino’s listing page to see if it offers sports betting.
Slot Machine Payback Percentages at West Virginia Casinos
West Virginia gaming regulations requires all VLT’s to return a minimum return of 80%, and a maximum return of 95%.
West Virginia gaming regulations require information on the average payback percentages of electronic gaming machines to be released to the public. Click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all West Virginia casinos.
Video Lottery Terminals at Bars, Restaurants and Fraternal Clubs in West Virginia
Besides casinos, bars as well as restaurants that serve alcohol are allowed to have up to five VLT’s. Fraternal organizations are also allowed to have up to 10 VLT’s. All of these machines are the same as those that can be found at the state’s racetracks.
Planning a visit to West Virginia casinos?
For West Virginia tourism information call (800) 225-5982 or go to: www.gotowv.com
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TOP THINGS TO DO IN WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia features some of the most magnificent and rugged scenery in the east coast and it is filled with year-round outdoor adventure destinations. This state is a paradise to outdoor lovers as it is filled with wild mountain country, rivers, densely-forested wilderness area which is suitable for camping, hiking, rock climbing, caving, boating, whitewater rafting, and fishing. If you travel to the state during winter months you can visit ski resorts filled with a wide range of snow sports that you can try out. Some of the best things to do in West Virginia are listed below.
Explore Harpers Ferry
This spot is where the Shenandoah River meets with the Potomac River and it was the site where the abolitionist John Brown raided the United States arsenal in 1859. This historic event lead to the breakout of the Civil War. You should be sure you to not miss this attraction if you are a history lover. You can visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park which is filled with historical exhibits, museums, and programs, plus a diverse range of hiking trails. You should also visit St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and the old cemetery located on the hill behind it. For a more unique experience, you can visit the Appalachian Trail Visitors Center where you can go on a hike on the Appalachian Trail to see beautiful views of the town and rivers. Another fun activity to try out are the tubing excursions on the river.
The closest casino to this attraction is Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Step back in time at Cass Scenic Railroad
The population of West Virginia boomed in late 1800 because of the natural resources that were extracted to feed the Industrial Revolution. One of the best things to do for history lovers is to visit the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. At this park, you will see what life was like during the time loggers came to cut the trees and enjoy the mountain views on the steam engine train that takes you up the mountain. For a more adventurous experience, you can even book a stay in the former company town.
The closest casino to this attraction is Casino Club at The Greenbrier.
Visit Blackwater Falls State Park
This park is named after the dark waters of the river which was colored by tannic acid that fell from the surrounding hemlock and red spruce needles. The highlight of the park is the Blackwater Falls which drops 60 feet over the sandstone ledges before it then flows through an 8-mile-long gorge. The park features step and viewing platforms which make the falls accessible all-year-round. Some of the other notable falls not to miss are Elakala Falls and Pendleton Falls. You should also make sure to visit Lindy Point which is among the most enchanting places in the state to enjoy stunning views of the Blackwater Canyon. You can also visit the Pendleton Point Overlook for scenic views. There is also a lake in the park suitable for boating, swimming, fishing, and camping.
The closest casino to this attraction is Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Explore Snowshoe
This is a great destination to go all year round in West Virginia. It is popularly known for its skiing and it features three separate areas that you can choose from. Snowshoe features an 800-foot vertical drop and you will find 38 trails that cover all experience levels. It is served by seven lifts such as a high-speed detachable quad. You can also go night skiing at some of the trails, it is surely a paradise for tourists that want to try out winter sports. You can also visit during other seasons where you can try out activities like mountain biking, horseback riding, scenic chairlift rides, climbing, geocaching, zip-lining, pedal boats, canoeing, trampolining, hiking, golfing, fishing, and so on. You should also visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory located not far from Green bank.
The closest casino to this attraction is Casino Club at The Greenbrier.
Go sightseeing at West Virginia State Capitol
The Capitol building in West Virginia features a 293-foot golden dome that is five feet higher than the dome of the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The building can be found in Charleston and it reflects Roman and Greek architectural influences. The building was designed by Cass Gilbert who designed the Woolworth Building in New York City which was the tallest building in the world when it was built. The Capitol building was built between 1924 and 1932 with over 700 carloads of Indiana limestone used. The interior was designed with white marble from Vermont and Italian travertine. You can join a tour of this building if you are an architecture lover.
The closest casino to this attraction is Mardi Gras West Virginia Casino Resort.
Visit West Virginia State Museum at the Culture Center
One of the top things that you can do for free while in West Virginia is to explore this museum to get an insight into the culture, art, history, archaeology, paleontology, and geology of the state. The highlight of the museum is a pair of dressed fleas from the 19th-century flea circus. You are going to find well-designed exhibits where you can learn about the history of the state and it how it began as a stone and dirt road to a paved highway. You will feel like you are transported back into the past during this experience. Some of the artifacts that you will find here include everyday implements like a telescope that was used to survey land in West Virginia by George Washington. You will also get an insight into John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry, plus much more.
The closest casino to this attraction is Mardi Gras West Virginia Casino Resort.
How many casinos are in West Virginia?
There are currently 5 casinos located in Arizona. • Casino Club at The Greenbrier • Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races • Mardi Gras West Virginia Casino Resort • Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort • Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center
What is the gambling age in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, the minimum gambling age is 21 years old.
NOTICE: The DIA website is available only for filing an online annual gambling report. If you want to apply for a social or charitable gambling license, you will need to fill out a paper application. Please download the appropriate application below and mail the completed packet including payment to our office.
You may obtain a paper copy of the annual gambling report by contacting our office either by phone at 515.281.6848 or by email at scg@dia.iowa.gov. This report is due on Jan. 31 each year and covers the previous calendar year. A notice is mailed in early January each year to all nonprofit organizations that had a license at any point during the reporting period. The notice includes instructions on where and how to complete the annual report.
The Social and Charitable Gambling Unit administers Iowa Code Chapter 99B, which regulates games of skill or chance, raffles, bingo, social gambling and amusement devices. Qualified organizations may obtain a social or charitable gambling license to conduct fund-raising activities benefiting educational, civic, public, charitable, patriotic, or religious purposes.
Sales Tax Information
Gambling receipts are subject to Iowa sales tax, even for nonprofit organizations. All taxes are payable to the Iowa Department of Revenue, and should not be submitted to DIA. More information about taxes on gambling receipts can be found on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.
Types of Gambling Licenses
In order to conduct charitable gambling activities, a nonprofit organization will first need to obtain a Charitable Gambling License. The Charitable Gambling License applications describe the various types of gambling activity that are permitted by the licensees. The only gambling activities authorized under these licenses are bingo, raffles, and games of skill and chance.
A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion and sale of tickets. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.
The type of license you need will depend on the period of time for which you plan to conduct gambling activity in your organization.
- Qualified Organization License, 14-Day($15)
- Qualified Organization License, 90-Day($40)
- Qualified Organization License, 180-Day($75)
- Qualified Organization License, One-Year($150)
- Qualified Organization License, Two-Year($150)
- Bingo at a Fair or Festival License($50)
- Very Large Raffle License ($100)
License Type/Gambling Activity Permitted | Two-Year Qualified Organization* | One-Year Qualified Organization | 180-Day Qualified Organization | 90-Day Qualified Organization | 14-Day Qualified Organization | Bingo at a Fair or Festival |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bingo | Three occasions per week/15 occasions per month | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Two total occasions | One occasion per day for length of event |
Games of Skill & Chance | Unlimited carnival-style games | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Unlimited carnival-style games | Not allowed |
Game Night | One per calendar year | One per calendar year | One per calendar year | One per calendar year | One per calendar year | Not allowed |
Very Small/ Small Raffles | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not allowed |
Large Raffles | One per calendar year | Eight per license period w/each raffle conducted in a different county | One per calendar year | One per calendar year | One per calendar year | Not allowed |
Very Large Raffles** | One per calendar year w/additional Very Large Raffle License | One per calendar year w/additional Very Large Raffle License | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Electronic Raffles | One small raffle per day; One large raffle per calendar year | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
*An organization requesting a Two-Year Qualified Organization License must have been in existence for at least five years.
**In addition to a One-Year or Two-Year Qualified Organization License, organizations wishing to conduct a Very Large Raffle will need to complete a separate Very Large Raffle License Application.
Definitions
- Bingo Conducted at a Fair or Community Festival – License that allows bingo to be conducted for the duration of a fair or community festival of no more than six consecutive days in length held by a community group. Bingo occasions held under this license shall not be counted in determining whether a qualified organization has conducted the maximum three occasions per week or 15 occasions per month.
- Community Festival – A festival of no more than six consecutive days in length held by a community group.
- Community Group – An Iowa nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which is open to the general public and established for the promotion and development of the arts, history, culture, ethnicity, historical preservation, tourism, economic development, festivals or municipal libraries. “Community group” does not include a school, college, university, political party, labor union, fraternal organization, church, convention or association of churches or organizations operated primarily for religious purposes, or which are operated, supervised, controlled or principally supported by a church, convention of association of churches.
- Games of Skill and Chance – Includes but not limited to carnival-style games. They do not include casino-style games (See Game Night).
- Game Night – An event at which casino-style games may be conducted, in addition to games of skill and games of chance, within one consecutive 24-hour period.
- Raffle – A lottery in which each participant buys an entry for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random method and the winner is not required to be present to win. For raffles, the license duration must include your advertising, ticket sales, and drawing of the winner(s). A combination of licenses may be used to obtain the requested length of time.
- Very Small Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or merchandise prizes is $1,000 or less and the value of all entries sold is $1,000 or less, or the total value of donated merchandise prizes is $5,000 or less and the value of all entries sold is $5,000 or less.
- Small Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000.
- Large Raffle – A raffle whether the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $10,000 but not more than $100,000.
- Very Large Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $100,000 but not more than $200,000 or if the prize is real property.
Social Gambling License for Beer and Liquor Establishments
Authorizes small stakes card and parlor games between individuals (i.e., euchre, hearts, pitch, pinochle, gin rummy, poker, cribbage, pepper, darts, and billiards). Additionally, this license allows the establishment to conduct sports betting pools.
A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.
- License duration: Two years
- Cost: $150
Access the Social Gambling License Application.
Social Gambling License for Public Place, No Alcohol Allowed
Authorizes patrons to socially gamble amongst themselves in the licensed establishment on small stakes card and parlor games (i.e., euchre, hearts, pitch, pinochle, gin rummy, poker, cribbage, pepper, darts, and billiards). This license does not allow sports betting pools.
A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.
- License duration: Two years
- Cost: $100
The following activities are NOT permissible under this license:
- Raffles
- Bingo
- Poker tournaments
- Poker runs
- Roll-of-the-day
- Bookmaking
- Casino-style games other than poker
Access the Social Gambling License Application.
Iowa Code section 99B.6(7) permits the those with a two-year Social Gambling License for Beer and Liquor Establishments (see tab above) to conduct a sports betting pool under certain circumstances. There is no additional cost to conduct a sports-betting pool.
Contact us with questions.
'Amusement concession' means a game of skill or game of chance with an instant win possibility where, if the participant completes a task, the participant wins a prize. 'Amusement concession' includes but is not limited to carnival-style games that are conducted by a person for profit. 'Amusement concession' does not include casino-style games or amusement devices required to be registered pursuant to section 99B.53.
Games may only be conducted after a license has been issued by DIA. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.
- License duration: One year
- Cost: $50 per game
Illinois Gambling In Bars
View or download the Amusement Concession License Application.