WV Legalizes Online Casinos with New Law
Lawmakers in WV managed to pass the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act into law. As a result, WV legalizes online casinos. WV becomes the fifth state to make online casino gambling legal.
Pay per head providers were waiting for Gov. Jim Justice’s act on the bill. However, he chose not to do anything. As a result, the law automatically became law after 15 days his office received it.
In 2018, Justice made gambling news headlines when he did the same thing with the sports betting law. He allowed it to automatically become law by not doing anything. At present, WV is one of three states to allow mobile sports wagering. The other states are Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
WV Legalizes Online Casinos
The new WV law is like other online gambling bills. It allows people within the state lines to play online casino games, including poker. However, you must be 21 years old or older to access online gambling sites.
The new gambling law allows you to play online games without having to be physically within a casino. If you are within state lines, you can play from a laptop, desktop, or a mobile device. Some of the games you can play include blackjack, craps, roulette, and slots.
Land-based casinos in the state can now apply for an online gambling license. According to the law, the state can give up to five operating permits. That means each of the five casinos can apply for one.
The law will collect 15 percent tax from online gaming revenue. This is relatively cheaper to Pennsylvania’s 54 percent on online slots and 36 percent on sports betting. Also, WV will collect licensing fees.
Aside from casino games, WV also allows mobile sports betting. However, the only mobile sports betting option shut down on March 7. Unless a new bookie software operator gets a license to do business in the state, there will be no mobile sports wagering during March Madness.
