West Virginia Bill Curbing Sports Betting Harassment Heads to Governor

• A bill allowing the state to ban sports bettors for harassment now heads to the governor
• The Senate approved the bill and the House of Delagates concurred with minor amendments
• The West Virginia Lottery Commission will have the power to ban individuals from engaging in sports betting

A West Virginia bill designed to curb harassment of athletes stemming from sports betting now heads to the governor.

The West Virginia Senate this week approved HB 4700 by a 33-0 vote with one abstention. The slightly amended bill was sent back to the House of Delegates for concurrence, which was approved 89-5.

If signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice (R), the bill will give the West Virginia Lottery Commission the power to ban individuals from sports betting if they’re found harassing athletes, coaches, or officials.

Easy Path Through Legislature

Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio) introduced his bill on Jan. 15. It quickly moved through committee and received overwhelming bipartisan support when it reached by the House and Senate floors for discussion.

Fluharty introduced a similar bill in 2023, but it did not receive the same support and was not approved.

“It’s great that West Virginia continues to be a leader. This bill will help protect our athletes, coaches, and all of those participating in events where betting may also take place. It’s important that other states take note and follow suit. We need collaboration from states and regulators. This is another step in that direction. Sports betting is a privilege, not a right. Bettors need to act accordingly or they will be put on the sidelines,” Fluharty told Sports Betting Dime.

If signed into law by Gov. Justice, the West Virginia Lottery Commission will officially create a legislative rule detailing why individuals may be banned from participating in sports betting in the state. These reasons will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• A prior conviction of this code
• A prior violation of an order from the lottery commission
• If the commission determines that the person poses a threat to the safety of patrons or participants in a sporting event or determines that the person has engaged in a pattern of conduct of harassing a sports official, coach, or any participants.

Individuals will be notified of the commission’s decision and will have the opportunity to request a hearing in their defense before the ban is instituted in full.

Next Wave of Legislation?

New bills to allow regulators to keep athletes safe from harassment are likely going to become more popular.

Neighboring Ohio included a similar sports betting harassment provision in its 2024-2025 FY budget, which allows state regulators to permanently ban or place sports bettors on an exclusionary list if they’re found to be threatening athletes over a sporting event.

It was the first ever such provision approved by a state.

Both Ohio and Maryland recently approved legislation to prohibit college prop bets on individual athletes. One of the main points of concern from the NCAA regarding player-prop bets on college sports was a proliferation of harassment from bettors towards athletes if they lost a wager.