West Virginia’s Self-Exclusion Sports Betting Measure is Moving Forward
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Legislation pertaining to self-exclusion from sports betting in WV is gaining momentum in the West Virginia Assembly.
State Representative Shawn Fluharty’s House Bill 4700 was presented in January of 2024. It was approved by the Judiciary Committee and will now be put to a vote on the House Floor.
The measure, which amends the current West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act, seeks to outlaw wagering for anybody who has harassed or engaged in detrimental behavior against a coach, sports officials, or any spectator at a sporting event.
Similar wording was enacted in Ohio in response to threats made against University of Dayton men’s basketball players, and it is mirrored in HB 4700. The state budget measure for Ohio included the wording last year.
As HB 4700 moves forward, the NCAA has also declared its position on harassment linked to gambling.
In his first State of College Sports speech in January, NCAA President Charlie Baker touched on sports betting effects on collegiate athletics. Baker spoke on the effects of gambling on student-athletes’ mental health and the actions the NCAA is taking to address the problems. The NFL and NCAA are working together to improve sports betting instructional materials.
Additionally, the regulating authority and Signify Group will collaborate to study online messaging.
West Virginia Has a Budding Sports Betting Industry
Due to fewer NFL and college football games, the Mountain State’s total sports betting handle in January was $46.4 million, a 24% reduction from the previous month. Revenue ended at $6 million in January, a 65% increase over the same month the previous year, despite the decline in handling.
Nine online providers, including BetMGM WV, FanDuel WV, DraftKings WV, ESPN Bet WV, and others, are based in West Virginia.
