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 or lower sporting events. It also mandates independent audits of contest operations and allows for investigations into prohibited conduct, with findings potentially reported to law enforcement.

Additionally, the legislation imposes a 15 percent tax on the adjusted gross daily fantasy sports contest receipts, creating the West Virginia Daily Fantasy Sports Contests Fund to manage the revenue generated. Operators are required to meet strict licensing criteria, including background checks and financial disclosures, to maintain the integrity of the contests. The bill emphasizes responsible gaming by mandating self-exclusion options for participants and supporting initiatives for compulsive gaming. It also includes provisions for investigating complaints against athletes and requires the commission to notify relevant sports governing bodies of any allegations.

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