Not So Fast: Sports Betting Delayed At Mardi Gras And Wheeling Island
The launches of the sportsbooks at two casinos in West Virginia have been postponed.
Delaware North, the parent company of Mardi Gras Casino and Wheeling Island Casino, has notified state lottery officials that both casinos will not be able to open their sports betting facilities on time.
The opening of the books for both casinos, initially scheduled for the end of September, was postponed without any specific explanation provided by lottery officials.
According to Randy Burnside, the spokesperson for the West Virginia Lottery, testing at both facilities is expected to be scheduled for October. However, there is currently no specific timeframe for when either sports wagering facility will be launched.
Both casinos missing out on football season
The announcement was unexpected as both casinos appeared to be on schedule for opening by the end of last month. With football season being the peak time for sports betting in the US, there was a sense of urgency to establish a sportsbook quickly.
Hollywood Casino Charles Town, one of the casinos’ rivals, was driven by this fact to expedite its opening before the first kickoff. Erich Zimny, the casino’s vice president of racing and sports operations, has previously expressed this sentiment.
However, it seems that neither Mardi Gras nor Wheeling Island prioritize getting on the field. It is evident that both establishments already possess their permits, indicating that the issue lies with some technical or logistical matter.
West Virginia politics are making sports betting messy
There is a possibility that either the casinos or their parent company are facing political pressure. Recent developments within the lottery commission have caused concern for at least one legislator, who expressed being greatly disturbed by the situation.
Under suspicious circumstances, two prominent individuals from the commission have departed. Following the launch of sports betting, Director Alan Larrick resigned abruptly. Meanwhile, General Counsel Danielle Boyd is currently under suspension, with the cause and duration being uncertain.
Rumors suggest that both absences, especially Boyd’s, are due to the influence exerted by the governor’s office. Both Larrick and Boyd strongly oppose the imposition of fees or payoffs to sports leagues.
However, Gov. Jim Justice has only opposed the notion of the state bearing the cost of fees, rather than having objections towards fees in general. In fact, he may have actively advocated for casinos to directly pay the leagues.
According to reports, Governor Justice encouraged the state’s casinos to engage in a commercial agreement with the sports leagues soon after the legalization of sports betting. The governor made these remarks during a meeting arranged by his special advisor, Bray Cary.
It’s tough for Justice to avoid the appearance of impropriety
Due to his ownership of The Greenbrier Resort, Justice enjoys a distinctive role as both a chief executive and a business owner, granting him significant connections to numerous major sports leagues.
Both the NFL’s Houston Texans and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans have held their spring training on his property. Additionally, The Greenbrier’s golf course is the venue for a yearly PGA Tour event.
In contrast, The Greenbrier also possesses and manages The Casino Club at Greenbrier, featuring a FanDuel Sportsbook. This unique distinction positions Justice as the sole sitting governor in the United States to hold a prominent role within a casino establishment.
With astute judgment, he made the wise decision to abstain from signing the sports betting bill in light of the inherent conflict of interest. Nevertheless, there are indications that he may engage in covert communication to assist his acquaintances.
It is mere speculation whether the political chaos caused Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island to delay opening their books. It is also plausible that constructing a sportsbook is not a straightforward task.
All we can do is wait and see.