History of West Virginia casinos
WV launched online casinos as part of the second push for the authorization of internet gambling. The pioneering push was attempted in 2018. In early 2019, Mountain State legislators began focusing on online poker and internet casinos after initially supporting WV sports betting. The West Virginia Lottery, Interactive Wagering Act, was endorsed by both chambers of the West Virginia State Legislature.
It was then up to Governor Jim Justice to determine the next step. He could either approve, reject, or allow it to pass without his approval. Governor Justice opted for option three, just as he had with the sports gambling law a year before. In West Virginia, online gambling became lawful in March 2019. However, things were slow after this development.
The West Virginia Lottery is the body responsible for regulating gambling in West Virginia. It oversaw online casinos and was entrusted with developing regulations to control the emerging sector. However, the West Virginia online sports gambling business was experiencing a crisis at the time (the BetLuck controversy involving the first bookmaker that launched in the state). Thus the lottery committee was unable to set the laws immediately.
Additionally, it was important to avoid making another error, so the commission applied the brakes. The commission eventually laid down some rules for casino wagering, including prohibiting sports that involved underaged individuals. As a result, WV bettors wager most on horse and dog racing (as it's been existing for the longest time).
WV online casinos are required to pay a 15% tax according to the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (Article 22E of the West Virginia Legislature). Legalizing online casino gambling also meant that players could wager on poker, slots, Keno, video lottery, bingo, baccarat, blackjack, esports, and fantasy sports.
The abolishment of PAPSA(the Professional and Amateur Protection Act of 1992) by the Supreme Court also contributed to online gambling in West Virginia. PAPSA limited sports betting to a few states in the country. Now, everyone of legal age in West Virginia can wager in all available casinos but one. Only the resort's guests and members of its private club are allowed to wager there.