Current through 2024 First Special Session
Section 29-22D-15 - Authorization of sports wagering in this state; requirements(a) An operator shall accept wagers on sports events and other events authorized under this article from persons physically present in a licensed gaming facility where authorized sports wagering occurs, or from persons not physically present who wager by means of electronic devices. A person placing a wager shall be at least 21 years of age.(b) An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located within this state using a mobile or other digital platform or a sports wagering device, approved by the commission, through the patron's sports wagering account.(c) An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located in a state or jurisdiction with which the commission has entered into a sports wagering agreement using a mobile or other digital platform or a sports wagering device through the patron's sports wagering account, so long as the device or platform is approved by the commission and all other requirements of the agreement are satisfied.(d) Until such time as a rule proposed by the commission is approved for promulgation by the Legislature, the commission or operator may ban any person from entering a gaming area of a gaming facility conducting sports wagering or the grounds of a gaming facility licensed under this article or from participating in the play or operation of any West Virginia Lottery sports wagering. A log of all excluded players shall be kept by the commission and each licensee, and no player on the commission's exclusion list or the licensed operator's exclusion list shall wager on any West Virginia Lottery sports wagering under this article.(e) The commission shall promulgate rules implementing the provisions of § 29-22D-15(a) of this code by interpretive rule and minimum internal control standards.(f) The commission shall, when a federal law is enacted or repealed or when a federal court decision is issued that permits a state to regulate sports wagering, publish a notice in the State Register notifying the public of the enactment or repeal of federal law or of the issuance of the court decision. The commission may not conduct sports wagering in this state until the notice prescribed in this subsection is published in the State Register.(g) A licensed gaming facility employee may not place a wager on any sports wagering at the employer's facility or through any other mobile application or digital platform of his or her employer.(h) A commission employee may not knowingly wager or be paid any prize from any wager placed at any licensed gaming facility with West Virginia Lottery sports wagering within this state or at any facility outside this jurisdiction that is directly or indirectly owned or operated by a sports wagering licensee.Amended by 2024 Acts, ch. TBD (HB 4700), eff. 6/6/2024.Added by 2018 Acts, ch. 101 (SB 415), eff. 3/3/2018.