FanDuel Group has announced the launch of its West Virignia sportsbook app, marking the return of mobile wagering to the state.
The app launched via the Flutter Entertainment-owned operator’s licensing partnership with The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, the resort owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice.
Mobile betting in in West Virginia has had a difficult start. DraftKings carried out testing of an app in May with a view to rolling it out to consumers soon after. However, while testing of the system was successful, the regulator ultimately delayed the launch, over concerns relating to the physical location of the servers, which may have resulted in the offering failing to comply with the federal Wire Act.
The last legal sportsbook app in West Virginia shut down on 6 March, when Delaware North’s BetLucky app, operated through a joint venture with Miomni Gaming, went offline in a move originally explained as a service interruption but later revealed to be due to an infringement dispute between Miomni and rival supplier Enterg Software Solutions.
Delaware North terminated its contract with Miomni shortly after, with its online and land-based sportsbooks remaining closed. In April, the operator launched a lawsuit against Miomni, which the supplier is fighting.
FanDuel had previously launched sports betting apps in Pennsylvania and New Jersey but promises new features for its latest launch. The West Virginia sportsbook app will feature new account and wallet technology and connects to FanDuel’s daily fantasy sports app.
Last week the West Virginia Lottery Commission told iGB North America that it expected at least two mobile offerings to launch “in the coming days”. DraftKings is expected to closely follow FanDuel in rolling out a new product.