Ask Reggi Your Question Now
Can I offer contests that involve college sports in West Virginia? What are the requirements?
Based on the documents provided, it is not clear whether offering contests that involve college sports in West Virginia is allowed. However, there are some requirements related to sports wagering that must be met. Additionally, there are penalties for unlawful operation of sports wagering.
Requirements for Sports Wagering
According to WVCO 29-22D-15 [1.2], an operator shall accept wagers on sports events and other events authorized under this article from persons physically present in a licensed gaming facility where authorized sports wagering occurs, or from persons not physically present who wager by means of electronic devices. A person placing a wager shall be at least 21 years of age. An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located within this state using a mobile or other digital platform or a sports wagering device, approved by the commission, through the patron’s sports wagering account. An operator may accept wagers from an individual physically located in a state or jurisdiction with which the commission has entered into a sports wagering agreement using a mobile or other digital platform or a sports wagering device through the patron’s sports wagering account, so long as the device or platform is approved by the commission and all other requirements of the agreement are satisfied.
WVSSAC Tournaments
According to WVCS 127-03-14 [2.3], WVSSAC member schools shall not engage in any practice, contest, meet, or tournament on Sunday. However, in case of emergency, State Championship finals may be played on Sunday after 1:00 p.m.
Crimes and Penalties Related to Authorized Sports Wagering Operation
According to WVCO 29-22D-21 [1.2], a sports wagering licensee is guilty of unlawful operation and is guilty of a misdemeanor when: (1) The licensee operates West Virginia Lottery sports wagering without authority of the commission to do so; (2) The licensee operates West Virginia Lottery sports wagering in any location or by any manner that is not approved by the commission; (3) The licensee knowingly conducts, carries on, operates, or allows any sports wagering to occur on premises or through any other device if equipment or material has been tampered with, or exposed to conditions in which it will be operated in a manner designed to deceive the public; (4) The licensee employs an individual who does not hold a valid occupational license in a position for which a license is required or otherwise allows an individual to perform duties for which such license is required or continues to employ an individual after the employee’s occupational license is no longer valid; (5) The licensee acts or employs another person to act as if he or she is not an agent or employee of the licensee in order to encourage participation in West Virginia Lottery sports wagering at the licensed gaming facility; (6) The licensee knowingly permits an individual under the age of 21 to enter or remain in a designated gaming area or to engage in sports wagering at a licensed gaming facility; or (7) The licensee exchanges tokens, chips, electronic media, or other forms of credit used for wagering for anything of value except money or credits applied to a sports wagering account at a gaming facility authorized under this article.
Conclusion
Based on the documents provided, it is not clear whether offering contests that involve college sports in West Virginia is allowed. However, there are some requirements related to sports wagering that must be met. Additionally, there are penalties for unlawful operation of sports wagering.
Source(s):
Jurisdiction
West Virginia