https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/...cle_3ea4fe57-3cd3-5763-8cb9-4f339243174d.html
CHARLESTON — Officials with the West Virginia Lottery say sports betting could be up and running in the Mountain State’s casinos within 90 days of a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
On March 3, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 415, which would legalize sports betting at the state’s casinos and at The Greenbrier. Lottery officials eventually hope to offer sports betting through online apps.
But that depends on the U.S. Supreme Court finding such betting legal.
In 2012 and 2014, U.S. district courts ruled that sports betting laws passed in New Jersey ran afoul of federal law. Those rulings have been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The West Virginia Lottery Commission said Wednesday that the state’s casinos could be ready to offer sports betting within 90 days of a Supreme Court ruling finding such betting legal.
“Everyone’s getting themselves ready,” state Lottery Director Alan Larrick said. “We’re thinking there’s a 50 percent chance that next month we may know something.”
Larrick said those in the gaming industry have been keeping a close eye on the New Jersey court appeals. Many in the industry think a high court decision could be coming soon.
“I don’t know more than anyone else,” he said. “(But) the consensus is the court is going to rule 6-3 or 5-4 in favor of New Jersey.”
He said casino owners are getting ready in case that decision comes down; they are working with casino owners in Nevada, which already has legalized sports betting. Larrick said setting up sports books will probably be the most time-consuming part of the process.
Those within the gaming industry think a decision from the Supreme Court on sports betting could come as soon as April 2 or by the end of April.
If sports betting is legalized by the U.S. Supreme Court, West Virginia officials estimate such betting could generate $5 million for the state in the first year of implementation, $13.4 million by the third year and $28.7 million by the fifth year.
The state Senate added an amendment to Senate Bill 415 that would divert sports betting proceeds over $15 million to help shore up the Public Employees Insurance Agency.
Larrick said people who bet on sports tend to be younger and more affluent than those who typically go to casinos.
“Sports betting is going to be beneficial to the casinos in West Virginia,” he said. “We’re hoping getting those folks in the casinos will not only get people playing sports betting, but also the tables, and they’ll end up staying there (in hotels nearby).”
CHARLESTON — Officials with the West Virginia Lottery say sports betting could be up and running in the Mountain State’s casinos within 90 days of a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
On March 3, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 415, which would legalize sports betting at the state’s casinos and at The Greenbrier. Lottery officials eventually hope to offer sports betting through online apps.
But that depends on the U.S. Supreme Court finding such betting legal.
In 2012 and 2014, U.S. district courts ruled that sports betting laws passed in New Jersey ran afoul of federal law. Those rulings have been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The West Virginia Lottery Commission said Wednesday that the state’s casinos could be ready to offer sports betting within 90 days of a Supreme Court ruling finding such betting legal.
“Everyone’s getting themselves ready,” state Lottery Director Alan Larrick said. “We’re thinking there’s a 50 percent chance that next month we may know something.”
Larrick said those in the gaming industry have been keeping a close eye on the New Jersey court appeals. Many in the industry think a high court decision could be coming soon.
“I don’t know more than anyone else,” he said. “(But) the consensus is the court is going to rule 6-3 or 5-4 in favor of New Jersey.”
He said casino owners are getting ready in case that decision comes down; they are working with casino owners in Nevada, which already has legalized sports betting. Larrick said setting up sports books will probably be the most time-consuming part of the process.
Those within the gaming industry think a decision from the Supreme Court on sports betting could come as soon as April 2 or by the end of April.
If sports betting is legalized by the U.S. Supreme Court, West Virginia officials estimate such betting could generate $5 million for the state in the first year of implementation, $13.4 million by the third year and $28.7 million by the fifth year.
The state Senate added an amendment to Senate Bill 415 that would divert sports betting proceeds over $15 million to help shore up the Public Employees Insurance Agency.
Larrick said people who bet on sports tend to be younger and more affluent than those who typically go to casinos.
“Sports betting is going to be beneficial to the casinos in West Virginia,” he said. “We’re hoping getting those folks in the casinos will not only get people playing sports betting, but also the tables, and they’ll end up staying there (in hotels nearby).”
