iGaming debate arrives in West Virginia
The target is to legalise this year iGaming activities such as online poker and casinos, and race betting in the state.
US.- Five West Virginian Democratic delegates (Shawn Fluharty, Sean Hornbuckle, Mike Pushkin, Joseph Canestraro and Mick Bates) have introduced a gaming bill, HB 3067, to the state’s House of Delegates in order to approve further regulations for the iGaming market. Lawmakers presented the project to legalise online poker, casinos and race betting tournaments.
The bill proposes the West Virginia Lottery Commission as the potential regulator of the legal iGaming industry, if legislators approve the plan. Meanwhile, the gaming platforms would be operated by the state’s four racetrack casino companies, which would contribute with US$50,000 license payments and online licensees of 14 percent tax on their gross revenue.
“Developments in technology and recent legal decisions have created an opportunity to legalise interactive poker as a means to further enhance and complement the benefits delivered by casino gaming and licensed facilities to or for the benefit of the communities in which they operate,” states the bill HB 3067. The law would also allow the Commission to set interstate partnerships with other states where iGaming is legal.
This week, West Virginia became one more of the local states that are evaluating the legalisation of iGaming industry. Under the new presidency of Donald Trump, businessmen and key representatives of the sector believe the modality would be approved at federal level.
