The West Virginia Senate recently passed Senate Bill 358 which allows ATM machines to be located near video lottery machines at racetracks. The bill removes the ban on placing ATMs near video lottery machines only at racetracks.
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin explained the prohibition was put in place in 1994 in an attempt to stop gamblers from draining their bank accounts. He said, “Several of our members were here in 1994, and I agree with their decision. Some might say times have changed. ATMs are on casino floors now and racetrack floors now anyway. What’s the big deal? Well, I understand they have been pretty creative in getting around this provision, but I’m not going to stand by and reward them for going around a policy because they found ways to skirt it. I can’t stand idly by while we pass a bill that makes it easier to prey on people through less than moral means.”
An American Gaming Association report stated several states have restrictions on placing ATMs near video lottery machines. The 2019 AGA report indicated only Ohio did not have bans on locating ATMs; the report did not include Kentucky and Virginia.
The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia said one in 50 West Virginians have a gambling problem. The network’s latest report indicated most people who call the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline cite video lottery as their problem source.
