The West Virginia Daily Fantasy Sports Contest Act seeks to establish a regulatory framework for daily fantasy sports contests in the state. It designates the West Virginia Lottery Commission as the overseeing body responsible for licensing operators, collecting fees, and ensuring compliance with the law. The bill defines key terms related to daily fantasy sports, sets age restrictions for participants, and prohibits contests based on high school events or lower. It also mandates independent audits and investigations into any prohibited conduct, with the commission authorized to report findings to law enforcement.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that daily fantasy sports contests will not be classified as gambling if they comply with the new regulations. It introduces a 15% tax on the adjusted gross receipts from these contests and establishes the West Virginia Daily Fantasy Sports Contests Fund to manage the revenue generated. The licensing process includes background checks for operators and emphasizes responsible gaming measures, such as a voluntary self-exclusion program for participants. The commission is tasked with adopting rules to maintain the integrity of the industry and to address issues related to compulsive gaming.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29-22F-1, 29-22F-2, 29-22F-3, 29-22F-4, 29-22F-5, 29-22F-6, 29-22F-7, 29-22F-8, 29-22F-9, 29-22F-10