West Virginia lawmakers discuss sports betting

A committee met on Monday to talk about sports betting in the state, which is already legalised.

US.- The Joint Standing Committee on Finance of West Virginia gathered on Monday to talk during the second day of September legislative interim meetings at the State Capitol about recent modifications on the Virginia Lottery Commission staff and how it can affect sports betting operations.

Acting state Lottery director Douglas Buffington II informed lawmakers on how sports betting is progressing in the state. He replaced former director Allen Larrick, who resigned the day before the first facility in the state went live with sports betting. “I’m not aware why Mr. Larrick stepped down. Nobody has told me. I was asked if I would step in to help in acting employee,” Buffington said.

Committee co-chairman Craig Blair criticised the current status of the commission and revenue officials for not being able to answer specific questions about officials, such as the status of Danielle Boyd, the general counsel for the lottery. “So, the people who could answer the questions are not here,” Blair said. “That bothers me a little bit.”

“I’ve been on the job for approximately two weeks and dedicating as many resources as I can both at Lottery and the Department of Revenue to bring me up to speed on the comments that have been provided to get those comments answered,” Buffington said. “The casinos are able to move forward under the emergency rules that are in place right now.”