{"id":2753,"date":"2018-03-12T18:17:23","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T19:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=2753"},"modified":"2018-03-12T21:59:27","modified_gmt":"2018-03-12T21:59:27","slug":"west-virginia-sports-betting-bill-passes-no-integrity-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/west-virginia-sports-betting-bill-passes-no-integrity-fees\/","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia Sports Betting Bill Passes With No Integrity Fees"},"content":{"rendered":"
The U.S. Supreme Court<\/strong> is now the only thing standing in the way of West Virginia<\/strong> sports betting.<\/p>\n According to Legal Sports Report<\/strong>, West Virginia passed the WV Sports Lottery Wagering Act<\/strong> March 9, even without<\/strong> the governor\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n With the bill\u2019s passage, West Virginia becomes the first state<\/strong> of 2018 to pass a sports betting law and the sixth state overall<\/strong> in recent years.<\/p>\n While the House and Senate tore apart the measure before passing it, Gov. Jim Justice<\/strong> remained relatively silent. He did not veto the bill, despite public pressure. He may instead choose to call a special session to revisit the issue<\/strong> once the U.S. Supreme Court makes its decision.<\/p>\n Justice said this in a press release Friday evening:<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the U.S. Supreme Court issues its decision on sports wagering, to address any provisions of the legislation that might be in conflict, I will ask the Legislature to look at the advantages of partnering with the major sports leagues. I believe there could be real value to this partnership. I expect the Supreme Court to rule on this issue in the next few months.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The bill fast-tracked through the state House and Senate less than six weeks<\/strong> after it was introduced. There was a single sports betting bill in 2017. Then four different wagering bills ended up in the legislature at the start of this year.<\/p>\n The bill that passed (S 415<\/strong>) came from the Lottery Commission<\/strong> after a full year of research.<\/p>\n The law will give the state\u2019s five gaming facilities the opportunity to offer sports betting with Lottery oversight for the price tag of $100,000<\/strong>. The state expects $5 million in total tax revenue in its first year.<\/p>\n The NBA<\/strong> and MLB<\/strong> turned out to be the largest opponents<\/strong> of the bill. This could be an indication that they want in on the action with an integrity fee<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Here are the particulars of the new law:<\/p>\n West Virginia is no stranger to sports betting legislation.<\/p>\n In January, the state introduced a sports wagering bill in the Senate and revived a piece of legislation in the House of Delegates: S 106 and H 2751<\/strong>. The two bills, almost identical, chose the State Lottery Commission<\/strong> as the designator of sports betting rules and regulation.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the legislation also called for a special revenue account to place a tax on bets and other fees, as determined by the Commission. The legislation also called out U.S. Congress<\/strong> as having no authority<\/strong> over state government authorization of sports betting as a form of gaming.<\/p>\n While other sports betting bills turned for the worst (similar to DFS<\/strong>), West Virginia does have two years of exploration under its belt.<\/p>\n Uncharacteristically for these types of bills, West Virginia has not burdened operators<\/strong> with a high tax rate or integrity fee (that sports leagues lobby for).<\/p>\n In November 2016, West Virginia joined 19 other states in filing an amicus briefing in support of New Jersey in Christie vs. NCAA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n With seven casinos statewide, it\u2019s likely that the state will wait to open any sports books until the Supreme Court gives the go-ahead<\/strong> in the Christie vs. NCAA case.<\/p>\n In December, SCOTUS heard arguments regarding the nature of sports betting and the issues with consumer protection<\/strong> and the massive illegal sports betting market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This case pits New Jersey against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act\u00a0(PASPA) of 1992<\/strong>\u00a0to make sports betting legal beyond Nevada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This game changer would reverse status quo. Nevada maintains legal sports betting as does Delaware<\/strong>, in part, with limited parlay sports betting, and Montana<\/strong>, with game square wagering.<\/p>\n The American Gaming Association<\/strong> also changed its view on PASPA.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t help the naysayers that Nevada\u2019s record-breaking sports betting handle<\/strong> came in at $247.8 million<\/strong> in 2017.<\/p>\n Another option of repeal for proponents is the\u00a0Gaming Accountability and Modernization Enhancement Act <\/strong>(GAME). Introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone Jr.<\/strong> (D-NJ), the GAME Act, would potentially remove federal liability for gaming, keep federal oversight, and protect state rights.<\/p>\n West Virginia is the only one stepping up to the plate. There are 15 other states considering sports betting legalization:<\/p>\nHow the sports betting bill became law<\/span><\/h2>\n
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West Virginia has a history in sports betting<\/span><\/h2>\n
The case that started it all<\/span><\/h2>\n
States are eager to join in<\/span><\/h2>\n
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