The governor of West Virginia has reportedly allowed a bill that will legalize and regulate internet gambling within his state to become law without actually signing his name to it.
The bill was passed by the West Virginia Legislature earlier this month, and headed to the Governor Jim Justice's desk to be signed into law or vetoed. Under state law, the Governor has fifteen days to make a decision, or the bill will automatically become law. Justice reportedly took no action, thus allowing the bill to go into effect.
The legislation was known as the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, and would allow punters to play online games of chance for real money within state borders. Operators would have to pay an application fee of $250,000 and a $100,000 renewal which will give a five year extension. The state's land casinos can work with software groups or allow for outside operators to sub-license skins for their site.
The law will see online betting operators taxed at 15% of GGR, and will go to fund various programs throughout the state. The legalization makes West Virginia the fourth state to fully legalize the activity, coming after New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
We'll keep on following developments and update readers as we learn more.
Comments
What can I say...that seems to be a typical political move of a man who firstly calculating all the positives and negatives of a potential actions and decision could evoke in community(his electorate) and then deciding just doing nothing (by that passing the bill) and not making any troubles for himself and his reputation...how ironic is that the guy have been named Justice!?!