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Sports betting at the strategically located Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, West Virginia was now available, a little bit earlier than planned. This means easy access to most folks throughout Maryland and Washington, DC.
Until recently, sports betting was only available to those in this region via a few dozen internationally-licensed online gambling websites. Online, that will remain the case for the forseeable future. Even if West Virginia decides to offer sports betting via the Web, sites would not be accessible outside the state's borders. Neither Maryland nor DC plan to legalize the it any time soon.
West Virginia Lottery general managing counsel Danielle Boyd said in an email the first legal wager was accepted Thursday at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. She says it's the first sportsbook to begin operations in West Virginia.
While the casino's sportsbook has a larger-scale debut scheduled for Saturday, Boyd says it is "officially open."
Lawmakers approved sports betting in the state shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on the activity.
Hollywood Casino's sportsbook is operated by William Hill US. Charles Town Races is owned by Penn National Gaming Inc.
The casino is located under an hour-and-a-half drive from Maryland and Washington, DC barring rush hour periods. Sunday mornings should be relatively easy access for those looking to place wagers on either the Ravens or Redskins during the NFL season.
West Virginia is expected to offer sports betting at each of its five casino locations, one of which will provide easy access to Pittsburgh, PA and Youngstown, OH.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
