ZenSports Headed to West Virginia, Possibly Including an Online Casino

by Lisa Spencer, April 11, 2025

VIP Play, the operator behind ZenSports, is expanding to West Virginia after the state approved an interim license. This expansion may include launching an online casino.

VIP Play Expands to West Virginia

VIP Play, the company behind ZenSports, has announced that it has obtained an interim license to offer online gambling products in West Virginia. This could potentially lead to the launch of the first online casino.

West Virginia is the smallest of the multi-license iGaming markets in the US, so there is not as much competition as in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. ZenSports is only available online in Tennessee, launching in August 2023.

It is powered by Kambi and White Hat Gaming, which will also power the operator’s West Virginia launch. This license represents VIP Play’s first license outside of Tennessee. The company has no other gambling products in operation, and it is not yet known whether they will further expand beyond West Virginia.

There is no expected launch date, but in a press release, the company stated that customers in West Virginia can expect iGaming products from them in the coming months.

VIP Play CEO and chairman Bruce Cassidy commented,

“The acquisition of our interim Sports Wagering and iGaming License in West Virginia marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand, underscoring our commitment to provide innovative experiences to a wider audience. As we grow our presence, our dedication to excellence stands firm, and we’re excited to play a role in enriching West Virginia’s dynamic gaming community.”

West Virginia Test Market for VIP Play’s Online Casino

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have larger populations and more competitive frameworks, and therefore, iGaming revenue in these states dwarfs online casino winnings in West Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Delaware.

Although entering the West Virginia market likely requires lower startup costs than the Big Three states, VIP Play still faces an uphill battle. Major players like BetMGM Casino and FanDuel Casino already dominate the market, making it challenging for newcomers to gain significant ground.

Given all these factors, VIP Play likely has modest expectations for capturing market share with its initial online casino launch in West Virginia. Still, securing even a small slice of the market could generate significantly more revenue than its current share of Tennessee’s sports betting profits.

West Virginia saw a big jump in betting activity this February, with total wagers across sports and iGaming hitting $699.5 million — a 43% increase. Most came from iGaming, which surged by 46% to $661.3 million, while sports betting inched up 2% to $38.2 million.

We’ll likely get more details about VIP Play’s launch in West Virginia over the next few months. If it goes ahead, it could mark the state’s first new iGaming option in quite some time.