Bingo in West Virginia: Laws, Halls & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in West Virginia?

Yes. West Virginia allows charitable bingo under Chapter 47, Article 20 of the West Virginia Code, and the Tax Division (part of the State Tax Department) is the licensing agency. That’s unusual. In many states a gaming commission or the attorney general handles bingo, but here it sits with the tax office.

Only a tax-exempt charitable or public service organization can get a license, and the group must have existed in West Virginia for at least two years. The state offers three types of bingo license: annual, limited occasion and State Fair. One license per year covers an organization and all of its auxiliaries.

The Tax Division’s own wording is broad: bingo and raffle events can’t be held online or in person without a license unless they meet a qualified exemption.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in West Virginia?

18. The Tax Division’s bingo and raffle fact sheet says people under 18 may not play bingo or help run it, though they can take part in raffles. The statute itself (§47-20-11) bars anyone under 18 from taking part in conducting a game, with an exception for junior firefighters.

West Virginia’s casinos and online casino sites require players to be 21.

Can you play online bingo for real money in West Virginia?

Not in any clear, established way. Here’s what we found:

• Online casinos are legal. West Virginia legalized interactive wagering in 2019, and the West Virginia Lottery Commission licenses online casinos tied to the state’s land-based casinos. Players must be 21 and in the state. We found no licensed online casino offering a traditional bingo room.
• Charity online raffles are legal. A separate law, W. Va. Code §47-21A, lets licensed charities run raffles online through licensed platform providers, as long as players are in West Virginia.
• Charity online bingo is in progress. The Tax Department filed a legislative rule on online bingo and raffles (110 CSR 16A) in 2025, and Senate Bill 305 was introduced in January 2026 to authorize it. The bill’s history page shows it referred to the Senate Finance Committee, and we couldn’t confirm that the rule took effect.

Because of that, we mark online bingo “unclear.” Before you play on any charity bingo site, ask the organization for its Tax Division license. Our online bingo guide explains the main kinds of bingo sites.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in West Virginia?

West Virginia hasn’t passed a law that names sweepstakes casinos, but it has pushed them out through enforcement. The Attorney General’s office issued nearly 50 subpoenas to sweepstakes operators in 2024 and 2025, citing possible violations of the state’s gambling and interactive wagering laws. By mid-2025 more than 20 platforms had stopped accepting West Virginia players, and VGW (the company behind Chumba Casino) followed later in 2025.

A handful of brands may still accept players, and availability changes often. We mark the status “restricted.” See sweepstakes bingo explained for how the model works.

Where can you play bingo in West Virginia?

There are no tribal casinos in West Virginia, and the state’s casinos focus on slots and table games. Bingo here is a charity affair, usually found at:

• Volunteer fire departments, which have a long tradition of bingo nights (and the junior firefighter exception in the law)
• Churches and parish halls
• Veterans’ and fraternal organizations, including VFW and American Legion posts and Moose lodges
• The State Fair of West Virginia, which has its own license type

We haven’t listed specific halls because we couldn’t verify current schedules. Check local event listings, or ask the organization to show its Tax Division license.

How to run a charity bingo game in West Virginia

1. Check eligibility. You need tax-exempt status and at least two years of existence in West Virginia.
2. Pick the right license. Annual licenses suit weekly games; a limited occasion license allows bingo once every 24 hours for up to two weeks, which fits festivals and fairs.
3. Apply early. File Form BGO-1 with the Tax Commissioner at least 60 days before your first bingo occasion.
4. Staff it correctly. Nobody under 18 can help run the game, except junior firefighters.
5. Report and keep records. Licensed groups file reports and pay fees to the Tax Division, and proceeds must support the charitable purposes on the application.

Our bingo fundraiser guide covers pricing, prizes and volunteers, and how to play bingo is a handy refresher for new callers.

If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER any time, or visit our responsible gaming page.