This bill amends the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act to introduce fixed odds wagering on dog and horse racing. It defines "fixed odds wagering on dog racing" and "fixed odds wagering on horse racing" as the acceptance of wagers on live races with predetermined odds, which can only be conducted by licensed operators and gaming facilities. The bill outlines the types of permissible bets, including single-race bets and parlays, and mandates compliance with the Interstate Horseracing Act for any content offered for wagering from outside the state. Additionally, it establishes the West Virginia Lottery Fixed Odds Horse Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund, which will receive 10% of the adjusted gross wagering receipts from fixed odds horse racing to support thoroughbred racing purses.

Moreover, the bill creates the West Virginia Lottery Fixed Odds Dog Racing Wagering Purse Supplement Fund, which will receive 50% of the 10% collected from licensees' adjusted gross wagering receipts on fixed odds dog racing, as well as 50% of collections from horse race parlays wagered on dog racing events. All funds will be deposited into an interest-bearing account, with remaining funds distributed to the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund each fiscal year. The bill also addresses unauthorized sports wagering operations, establishing misdemeanors for operating without authority or allowing underage participation, and defines felonies for actions like attempting to influence race outcomes or using counterfeit currency. A new provision prohibits wagers from individuals directly involved in racing events, enhancing the regulatory framework and integrity of fixed odds wagering in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29-22D-3, 29-22D-4, 29-22D-21, 29-22D-15a, 29-22D-17a, 29-22D-17b