There seems to be an issue in Charleston.
Last week, Rep. Shawn Fluharty introduced a bill legalizing online poker and casino games; however, the West Virginia Lottery is not endorsing this proposed legislation.
The WV Lottery will be responsible for overseeing online casinos in the same manner as they currently do for WV sports betting, as per the new bill.
WV sports betting is the focus
The Lottery intends to delay its pursuit of online casino games, attributing this decision to the prominence of sports betting.
Lottery Director John Myers made a Friday appearance before the House Finance Committee, expressing his priority to first successfully implement online sports betting before considering any expansion of online gambling.
Myers expressed his belief in the potential of iGaming and affirmed that they have definite plans to reintroduce it in the future.
At present, all five casinos in West Virginia possess physical sportsbooks.
- The Charles Town Races Hollywood Casino
- The establishment is known as Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort.
- The Greenbrier is home to a luxurious establishment known as The Casino Club.
- The Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
- Wheeling Island Hotel
Currently, BetLucky.com stands as the sole mobile sports betting app available in West Virginia, catering to both Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras Casino.
Each casino is granted the chance to present a maximum of three co-branded online sportsbooks as per the regulations on sports betting.
There is a possibility for 13 more online sportsbooks in West Virginia.
Initially, there were expectations that the triumph of sports betting would facilitate the expansion of online gaming. However, it appears that the prosperity of sports betting is now hindering the progress towards the establishment of online casinos in WV.
It is highly anticipated that DraftKings WV Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook will be launched in early 2019, with additional sportsbooks likely to join in the future.
Anticipate West Virginia sports betting to occupy the Lottery’s attention this year. Although understandable, it is disheartening that the Lottery is not supporting the online casino bill.
The Lottery still focusing on WV online gambling expansion
While the Lottery may not yet feel prepared to venture into the realm of online casinos, it remains dedicated to augmenting its revenue through the expansion of its current online lottery games.
At present, the law mandates that keno tickets can exclusively be obtained in licensed bars and clubs, while allowing players to redeem them at any lottery retailer.
Meyers announced that the Lottery is in support of bills seeking to broaden the reach of video keno, which would include its availability in convenience stores and other additional locations.
Furthermore, there is a suggestion to enhance the responsibilities of lottery machine distributors by allowing them to operate retail locations.
After experiencing a decline in revenue for several years, the Lottery is now witnessing a notable upturn. The expansion of casinos and gaming industry in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland has significantly affected the Lottery’s financial performance, as it has enticed players to remain within their own states.
This year, the Lottery exceeded its revenue projections by $25.5 million, surpassing expectations. From January to November, it has generated $10.5 million more for the state compared to the previous year.
Since Ohio and Maryland have yet to legalize sports betting, many believe that WV sports betting is giving the Mountain State an advantage. It is reasonable to assume that the Lottery is benefiting from sports bettors who are crossing state lines.
Myers attributes the rise in revenue to:
- Scratch-offs
- Online game sales
- Enormous jackpots await in the Mega Millions and Powerball lotteries.
It appears inevitable that WV online gambling will expand sooner or later, given the undeniable popularity of online gaming and its potential impact on the state, regardless of whether it happens this year or not.
Take a glance at New Jersey, for example. Recently, the revenue figures for December 2018 were made public. Online casino gaming alone generated over $29 million in that month, surpassing previous revenue records and contributing to a year full of remarkable financial achievements.
The combination of online casinos in West Virginia, along with mobile sports betting, has the potential to greatly boost the state’s revenue.
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