March Madness is here, West Virginia. Both the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s and women’s teams were selected for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
The men are seeded ninth in the South Region and take on Maryland on Thursday in Birmingham, AL, in the first round. Coach Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers went 19-14 in the regular season.
The West Virginia women’s program finished the regular season 19-11 and drew the 10th seed in the Greenville Region. They face 7th-seed Arizona in the first round of the Greenville Region. Coincidentally, that game is in Maryland as well, but on Friday.
West Virginia teams have not fared well in NCAA tournaments
West Virginia sports betting should be brisk for this year’s March Madness. There are eight online sportsbooks ready to accept wagers from West Virginia bettors.
Maybe one or both West Virginia teams will be this year’s Cinderella story. The men’s team has made two Final Four appearances, the last time more than a decade ago in 2010. The women have made it past the second round in the NCAA tournament only once, making the Sweet 16 in 1992.
West Virginia casinos celebrate March Madness
West Virginia’s top casinos are geared up for March Madness, with special events through the final horn.
Mountaineer Casino
The Mountaineer just changed its hours and is now opening the casino floor at 8 a.m. The Center Bar is the prime location for watching the NCAA Tournament (men and women), with eight flatscreens. During commercial breaks, you’ll have time to play a slot machine or two.
If you want to get some breathing room, the Caesars Sportsbook has a huge video wall where you can see all of the games going on at once.
Mardi Gras Casino & Resort
The sportsbook teller windows at the Mardi Gras Casino open up at 9 a.m., plenty of time to place a bet on a March Madness game. The Mardi Gras casino has a sportsbook sponsored by Betly and a big sports bar to watch the games.
Friday is Day 2 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament but also St. Patrick’s Day. The Mardi Gras has a Luck of the Irish Slot Tournament slated to begin at 4 p.m.
Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Resort
Betly is the sportsbook of record at Wheeling Island. The end of March brings plenty of events. Remember, there is greyhound racing at 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday. On Saturday, March 18, the Sports Bar is hosting a UFC 286 watch party.
But the rest of the weekend belongs to March Madness. The Sports Bar has 14 televisions and over 30 bottled beer selections to enjoy after you tell your boss you’re home sick.
The Greenbrier
America’s “only private casino” isn’t afraid to get crazy during March Madness. The Greenbrier has relationships with FanDuel and BetMGM. The FanDuel Sportsbook Lounge is located inside the posh Casino Club. It’s open during regular hours, with 21 televisions for seeing every rebound and three-point shot.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town
The Barstool Sportsbook is having a March Mania Watch Party from March 16-19, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and daily specials on food and drinks. It’s March Madness paradise, with 30 television screens, including a three-sided jumbotron with 250-inch LED screens on three sides. Celebrate a big win with a Chocolate Peanut Butter Overload Milkshake.
There’s a drawing on March 30. Twenty winners will get a $250 free Barstool sportsbook bet. All mychoice members earn one entry for every $10 bet.