Online Casino Bill Will Put West Virginia In Elite Company

With the enactment of HB 2934, also known as the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wager Act, West Virginia has the potential to become a frontrunner in the realm of national online gambling. Currently, only two states have permitted online sports betting and online casino gambling.

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

West Virginia online casinos are making progress towards becoming a reality as the bill successfully advanced out of the WV Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Shortly after, Sen. Craig Blair, the chairman of the Finance Committee, bypassed the second reference and directly sent the bill to the floor.

The bill is scheduled for its initial reading on Wednesday, followed by the third reading and floor vote on Friday. According to sources, it is anticipated to pass the Senate. If it does, the bill will then be sent back to the House for agreement on the minor amendments.

If the stars align and the online casino bill is approved, WV would become the third state in the United States to provide both online casino gambling and online sports betting.

Looking at the WV online casino bill

The online casino bill sets a restriction on the licenses by allowing only five licenses, corresponding to each of the five West Virginia casinos.

• Charles Town Races is a popular casino and racetrack located in Hollywood.
• Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort has been transformed into a premier destination for gambling, horse racing, and luxurious accommodations.
• The Greenbrier’s Casino Club
• The Mardi Gras Casino & Resort
• Wheeling Island Hotel

The price for each license is set at $250,000, with an option to renew every five years. Online casinos will be required to pay a weekly privilege tax of 15 percent to the state.

Similar to the regulation and licensing of sports betting in West Virginia, online casinos will also be overseen and licensed by the WV Lottery Commission.

Online casino games encompass a vast array of games that can be found on a traditional casino floor, offering a wide variety of options for players.

• Slots
• Blackjack
• Video poker
• Online poker

Introducing popular casino games on an online platform is expected to boost sports betting revenues. When players are already engaged online, they tend to be more inclined to explore and try out different games.

The legislation is being led by Del. Jason Barrett, who is the main sponsor, in a bipartisan effort. He expressed his enthusiasm, along with others, for the growth of online gaming.

By enacting our iGaming legislation, our aim is to take the forefront yet again, allowing the operation of traditional land-based casino gaming through electronic devices. Should it be approved, iGaming holds the capacity to generate millions of dollars in revenue for our state.

WV on the verge of taking a seat at the grownup’s table

Should the bill be approved, West Virginia will become a state of significant interest, as it gears up to introduce its second online gambling platform within a span of two years. In fact, it could potentially be the second state to offer both online casino gambling and sports betting simultaneously.

The gambling expansion process in Pennsylvania appears to be progressing at a slow pace.

The state can experience advantages such as higher tax revenues and an increased influx of visitors to the Mountain State by offering an additional form of legalized gambling.

Additionally, we must consider that it will likely serve as a valuable source of local entertainment for the residents.