Wazdan secures online gaming license in West Virginia

Malta-based online casino games provider Wazdan has received accreditation in West Virginia, marking the second approved state for the developer.

The company announced last week that it had been awarded an interim iGaming supplier license by the West Virginia Lottery, allowing it to debut its portfolio of RNG games in the Mountain State by partnering with licensed online casinos. Some of the popular titles by the provider that West Virginia players can look forward to include Relic Hunters and the Book of Faith, Sizzling 777 Deluxe, Magic Fruits Deluxe, The Pantheon, Lucky Reels, Power of Gods, and Magic Stars.

Commenting on the development, Wazdan CEO Michal Imiolek said: “The US market continues to hit incredible heights and it’s a market we’ve already enjoyed some success in. Gaining our West Virginia license is an important milestone for us, and we’re extremely eager to see what we can accomplish in the state. With so much more on the horizon for us in North America, it is hugely exciting time for Wazdan, and we look forward to achieving even more in the US.”

The West Virginia license comes six months after Wazdan premiered its content in New Jersey, where the company says its online casino games have been extremely well-received by both players and licensed operators.

More US certifications in the pipeline

In its press statement about the approval by the West Virginia regulator, Wazdan termed the accreditation as “an achievement that will see the company significantly boost its reach in the US”.

The developer entered the country’s iGaming market in May after securing a transactional waiver license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

Since then, the company has been working towards expanding its footprint in the US by applying for vendor licenses in jurisdictions that allow online casino gaming. West Virginia was among the states that Wazdan has been targeting in its expansion plan, and the developer is also working on securing permits in Pennsylvania and Michigan. Players in these two states can look forward to enjoying the supplier’s award-winning games soon, according to the developer.

Wazdan has also made significant strides outside the US in recent months, after obtaining iGaming licenses in Belarus and Greece in July and September, respectively. Other countries where the developer is certified include Malta, the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Colombia, and Portugal.

West Virginia iGaming at a glance

The Mountain State legalized online gambling in 2019 following the passage of the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (H 2934). The state’s iGaming market, just like other forms of gambling, is regulated by the state lottery.

Under H 2934, operators seeking to offer internet gambling in the state must partner with a land-based establishment to qualify for a license. West Virginia has five brick and mortar casinos, and each is allowed to deploy up to three online casino apps.

The cost of entering the state’s regulated iGaming market is $250,000, and operating licenses are renewable every five years for $100,000. The tax rate for licensees is set at 15%.

Since the legalization of the industry, five online casinos have launched in the Mountain State, including DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, FanDuel, and Golden Nugget. WynnBet is also set to debut in the state’s iGaming and mobile betting market via a partnership with Delaware North.