Sports betting has debuted in West Virginia, just in time for college football season.
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 earlier this year approved sports betting at the state's five casinos and on certain mobile apps, shortly before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal law banning most sports betting. The state Lottery Commission later approved applicable rules.
Hollywood Casino's sportsbook is operated by William Hill US. Charles Town Races is owned by Penn National Gaming Inc.