In an interview with Play WV, the West Virginia Lottery’s chief expressed optimism about the possibility of online betting returning to the state in time for the football season.
Lottery Director John Myers expressed optimism about the possibility of a WV sportsbook app being operational in the upcoming weeks, although he refrained from providing a definitive assurance.
Three online sportsbooks in the queue
Myers mentioned that despite three online sportsbooks applying for licensure, there are still regulatory issues that need to be resolved. The testing process is ongoing to ensure compliance with regulations, with the goal of starting West Virginia football and NFL betting before the start of the games.
Myers stated that there is a high probability of having a mobile wagering app ready for football season. Additionally, he mentioned that the lottery will soon be evaluating two mobile apps.
Currently, WV bettors have three available live sportsbook choices.
- Hollywood Casino sportsbook
- Mountaineer Casino sportsbook
- The Greenbrier’s FanDuel Sportsbook
The WV Lottery is currently facing regulatory challenges in regards to these three online sports betting apps. Bettors eagerly anticipate the launch of one of these platforms in the near future.
- DraftKings Sportsbook WV
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- William Hill Sportsbook WV
Testing continues for WV sportsbook apps
Opening the virtual betting windows is not solely dependent on the lottery’s approval; there are additional obstacles to overcome. After obtaining approval for an app, they must also secure permission from online distributors.
Myers stated that several other components need to align. Alongside obtaining authorization for a mobile app, certain aspects lie beyond the lottery or service provider’s control. An illustration of this would be the necessary procedures to incorporate such an app into the App Store.
Wire Act remains a problem in WV
The mobile apps of the sportsbooks are still being developed, and they are receiving feedback from the lottery. Myers pointed out that the Wire Act is still causing difficulties for operators. He mentioned that certain apps submitted to the state did not comply with the legal requirements.
He states that the state has not caused any delays. The lottery has already instructed them on how to establish a mobile system since 2018. Initially, some of our management service providers offered a system that did not meet those requirements, and as a result, the lottery rejected their approval based on the Federal Wire Act’s stipulations.
Furthermore, Myers mentioned that his office consulted with the attorney general for guidance. The attorney general’s office suggested implementing a system setup similar to that of the lottery.
Adhering to the Wire Act is a crucial aspect, which encompasses compliance issues in West Virginia. These issues have, unfortunately, resulted in functional problems in other states as well. In a specific instance, this even led to the non-implementation of certain measures.
Myers stated that although not everyone is pleased with the decision to implement these requirements, the primary objective is to ensure the safety of lottery employees, management services providers (MSPs), and the individuals who participate in placing wagers.
Although the lottery approved a plan submitted by one service provider, they ultimately chose not to implement it due to potential issues extending beyond West Virginia.
The Wire Act is currently the subject of an ongoing federal court case that is independent from the events in West Virginia.
Still working with sportsbook operators for kickoff
Over the past few months, there have been swirling rumors about an imminent platform launch. However, recent weeks have seemingly debunked those speculations.
Myers refrained from specifying a specific date for the final implementation but assured that regulators are actively working towards finding solutions.
He stated that ongoing discussions are being held with the operators and other management services providers. However, it is important to note that the lottery’s control is limited to approving applications and does not extend to the functioning of these entities. The initial law established a limit of five operators, each of which can have up to three skins.
The agreement between a skin and an operator is precisely that. The eligibility of conducting business in West Virginia is determined by the lottery, but the decision of whether an operator possesses one skin or three is solely up to the operator.
Compliance issues continue to be an obstacle
In May, Pennsylvania launched its online mobile wagering platform. Since then, the state has successfully onboarded four mobile operators and witnessed a notable surge in revenue generated from wagering activities.
The total handle in Pennsylvania reached $60 million in July, but with the addition of football and the increasing popularity of online betting within the state, it is expected that this number will experience a significant increase in the upcoming months.
The delay has left Del. Sean Fluharty (D) frustrated despite his significant contribution to the legalization effort.
According to his statement to Play WV, the individual expressed his concern about the ongoing pattern in West Virginia. He believes that the implementation of laws regarding mobile sports betting has been disappointing, as the responsible authorities have shown a lack of enthusiasm and urgency to make it functional.
Myers emphasized that the delay in West Virginia has not been caused by slow regulators. He emphasized that his office is actively striving to ensure the launch of sports betting in the state.
“He asserts that comments blaming the state for the issue are incorrect. The West Virginia bill that legalized sports betting did not grant the lottery the power to implement a system. Instead, it mandated management service providers and operators to handle that responsibility.”
The primary function of the lottery is to ensure adherence to the law. Submissions that the lottery deemed to be in compliance with federal regulations have received approval from the West Virginia Lottery within a week of initiating testing.
Two live sportsbooks still closed, but hopes for reopening
West Virginia has been without a mobile app since the closure of the BetLucky app in March, and the ensuing legal complications surrounding this matter remain unresolved.
The closures of Delaware North’s Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island sportsbooks have further compounded the frustration felt by numerous bettors.
I have no idea. This is the second consecutive year without any gambling during Football season. It seems like @WheelingCasino is not interested in making money. 🤷♂️ https://t.co/G8ecGf7uKS
On August 9, 2019, a tweet was posted by Brett H Clough (@Crett_H_Blough).
Due to its rural nature and limited number of five casinos, many individuals residing far away from a live sportsbook face inconvenience. The introduction of mobile wagering would help alleviate this problem.
Several individuals residing near the Pennsylvania border have already made arrangements to travel north for football betting, causing both casinos and the state to lose out on potential revenue.
Despite the availability of legal alternatives, many people still persist in utilizing illegal offshore sportsbooks and relying on their “local guy” bookie. These aspects of the industry were initially anticipated to decline. However, Myers did provide a glimmer of hope by mentioning that the other two sportsbooks are actively working towards reopening.
Myers mentioned that Delaware North management informed him about their ongoing negotiations to replace their initial system. However, he clarified that they haven’t received any plans or requests from them yet.
Meanwhile, Week 2 of the NFL preseason is underway and WVU’s kickoff is just around the corner, keeping bettors eagerly anticipating the upcoming games.
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