West Virginia Senate Passes Sports Betting Bill

Sports betting legislation is on the move in West Virginia as the state Senate recently passed a bill that would legalize the activity in the state. The new measure will allow the gambling facilities of the state to offer sports betting on professional and college events to patrons who are at least 21 years of age. The vote took place on Tuesday during a scheduled session within the Senate.

According to Legal Sports Report, Senator Craig Blair, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presented an analysis of the measure during the meeting. Arguments took place for close to an hour before the bill was voted on and approved 25 to 9. The bill will now move forward to the House of Delegates.

If the bill is moved forward and approved by the full House, then it will be sent to the Governor’s desk for approval. It seems that West Virginia lawmakers are preparing like so many other states for the possibility that sports betting will become a reality in the US across the board.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 currently bans single-game wagering on a federal level and is under consideration by the United States Supreme Court within the Christie vs. NCAA case. If the court rules in favor of New Jersey, it would open up all states to pass legislation in order to offer sports betting wagerings.

The bill in West Virginia, S 415, has the support of the Lottery Commission of the state and would put regulation of sports betting in the hands of the state lottery. The five gaming facilities of the state would be able to take part and offer pro and college wagering options. Players will have to be 21 years of age or older to take part and online and/or mobile gambling can be offered if the lottery commission decides to make it so.

Operators of sports betting in the state would be able to pay $100,000 in licensing fees as well as be taxes on gross gaming revenues of 10%.

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