Online gambling in West Virginia is nearing its launch.
By the end of the month, it seems that gamblers in the Mountain State might finally experience the thrill of playing a virtual slot machine, despite months of little to no progress.
The state’s potential revenue during the coronavirus shutdown has undeniably been missed, but the early launch of online casinos in WV would be highly beneficial.
Since March 2019, when the legality of online casinos and online poker was approved by WV lawmakers, there has been a lack of news regarding the commencement of online casinos.
Nevertheless, there has been a recent shift in the situation. In May, the West Virginia Lottery submitted emergency rules to the Secretary of State. This action initiated a public comment period, which is scheduled to conclude on July 11th.
The control standards for iGaming were approved during last week’s Lottery Commission meeting.
The integration of regulations for online casinos and online sports betting apps marked a significant and concluding milestone for the lottery.
According to John Myers, the Lottery Director, he expressed his enthusiasm for the progress to Play WV.
All of our casinos have been engaged in discussions, and we anticipate that one of them may potentially launch in July, provided their suppliers obtain the necessary licensing approval.
The implementation of online casinos would greatly enhance the state’s lottery income and budget, providing a much-needed solution to the financial challenges faced by WV and similar states grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online casino gambling would make WV the fourth state in the US to offer this, while online poker would make it the fifth state, and online sports betting would make it the third state.
Online casinos in WV
Permitting online casinos for gamblers in WV marks a significant stride for the state, offering potential benefits by compensating for the current financial challenges.
Undoubtedly, the reopening of all five retail casinos is of utmost importance. These esteemed betting operators consist of:
While online casinos may not match the revenue sharing of mobile sportsbooks, they can still make a significant contribution.
During the month of May, online casino gaming in New Jersey raked in an impressive $85 million. Surprisingly, even with the presence of physical casinos, mobile apps alone contributed a substantial $50 million in monthly revenue.
With the submission of rules, WV is getting closer to expanding its online gambling options. However, each operator still needs to go through the process of obtaining a license.
The validity of online licenses will extend to five years, requiring a fee of $100,000. Additionally, operators who receive approval will be subject to a 15% tax on their gross gaming revenue.
Myers may have underestimated the timeline as bettors eagerly await online casinos. However, the Lottery Commission has yet to provide any updates on the status of operator license applications, suggesting that the wait might be extended further.
Even more revealing is the fact that none of the five retail casinos in West Virginia have made any announcements regarding partnerships for online gaming or poker.
Given that these processes require time, it seems unlikely that casino apps will be able to launch in July.
WV online casino debut
While a July launch for online casinos would be desirable, it may not be feasible within the given timeline.
After a casino announces a new partnership with an online gaming provider, the operator proceeds to seek the essential mobile gaming license.
Once approved, operators proceed to construct the tangible products that will be introduced to the market.
Although no partnerships have been announced yet, an August launch date could potentially have a higher possibility. However, we will remain hopeful regardless.
The next Lottery Commission meeting, scheduled for July 22, will provide more information.
Bettors can anticipate up to four mobile gaming platforms since Delaware North owns both Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras casinos.
This implies that in the event of another COVID-19 shutdown, the state can continue to generate revenue through online gaming.
The WV online sportsbooks that are already available will now be joined by online casinos.
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