West Virginians may soon find it easier to gamble in the state, as the House of Delegates passed HB 2934, the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, and HB 2901, the satellite casino bill.
HB 2934, passed in a 72-22 vote, would allow the state’s four licensed racetracks and the Greenbrier Resort to offer online casinos and poker in the state. It will now move to Senate committees and then the full Senate for consideration, but it’s expected to pass. Under the legislation, online players would be required to register at one of the approved and licensed gambling locations in the state, and only could gamble within the state. Operators would pay a 15 percent tax on sports betting revenue. A license would cost $250,000.
State Del. Shawn Fluharty, a sponsor of both bills, said, “Currently, there’s a robust illegal market where people are playing online via locations overseas and West Virginia gets zero revenue. We want to shrink the black market and capture that revenue which is leaving the state.” He added, “I think we press the green button and get some freedom here in West Virginia and play some poker. If you want to play against me, good luck.” State Del. Tom Fast, who opposed the bill, responded, “If you push a green button, you are pushing a green button in the face of those who brought us here. I would urge ladies and gentlemen to push the red button. Since I’ve been here, we’ve been passing bills like this ad nauseam. I for one am tired of it.”
HB 2901 passed 80-15 and would allow the state’s four racinos to open a secondary site within the same county. The site could offer table games, slots, sports betting and simulcast racing, but not a racetrack or hotel. Sponsor state Del. Erikka Storch said Wheeling Island Casino’s owner Delaware North is behind the measure since it faces periodic flooding from the Ohio River and soon will be impacted by planned highway construction projects.
Lottery Director John Myers said the Lottery Commission supports the bill, which would not require casinos to obtain a second gaming license or pay additional fees to the commission. “From the Lottery’s standpoint, the additional machines and revenue they would generate, under the current tax structure, we think will be profitable for us,” Myers said.
