FanDuel and Delaware North announced a market access partnership to open the door for the sports betting giant to enter the West Virginia gaming landscape.
West Virginia was one of the first states to legalize sports betting after a federal court decision in 2018 opened the door to nationwide expansion.
Key Takeaways
- FanDuel already operated in West Virginia through a separate partnership
- It wasn’t confirmed whether FanDuel will take over Delaware North’s retail betting facility
- Delaware North’s Mardi Gras Casino signed a betting partner last December
Online sportsbooks must partner with a licensed retail casino or racetrack to be offered entry into the state market. Delaware North operates the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes, WV, meaning that it is eligible to usher FanDuel into the jurisdiction.
According to a press release on Thursday announcing the partnership, the Mardi Gras Casino is the “premier entertainment and gaming destination in the Charleston region.”
“Delaware North has been a respected name in gaming and hospitality for decades, and they are an ideal partner as we continue to operate in West Virginia,” said FanDuel's Business Development Senior Vice President, Jonathan Edson.
FanDuel had operated in West Virginia since it opened a retail sportsbook in 2018 through a partnership with The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. It opened its online sportsbook in August 2019.
Despite the new partnership, FanDuel will remain committed to its partnership and retail facility at The Greenbrier.
Mardi Gras Casino & Resort currently has an in-house retail sportsbook, Betly, powered by Delaware North’s proprietary sports betting and iGaming brand.
FanDuel continues to spread its reach
FanDuel is the largest sports betting operator in America, yet it is still only in 25 of 38 states (65.8%) with legal and live online sports betting.
Although it has been a leader in West Virginia sports betting for more than a half-decade, its new partnership ensures that it isn’t going away any time soon.
“We love working with FanDuel and are very proud to be partnered together in West Virginia,” Delaware North's Chief Interactive Gaming Officer, Lee Terfloth said. “This partnership represents the best of what Delaware North strives for, bringing trusted, innovative experiences to our customers – and FanDuel is an incredible ally in that mission.”
Delaware North had a previous relationship with WynnBet that included sports betting and casino gaming. However, WynnBet gradually shut down its online sports betting arm from 2023-24, and it now only has retail sportsbooks in Massachusetts and Nevada.
The gaming company also partnered with VIP Play in December 2024 to welcome online sportsbook ZenSports into the market after it received an interim license.
Increasing its hold
FanDuel has an estimated 17 million customers across 25 retail locations and all online operations. It maintains sportsbooks, racing books, FanDuel TV, and FanDuel TV+.
It has not been revealed if FanDuel will take over Betly’s place at the Mardia Gras Casino & Resort retail sportsbook. If it does, it will operate two of the state’s five retail sportsbooks, including The Greenbrier.
