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Since the US Supreme Court abolished sports betting prohibition in 2018, the activity is now regulated in more than 30 states. Unfortunately this has resulted in increased gambling addiction and harassment of athletes at sporting events.
West Virginia seeks to stop the latter with a new bill that's heading to the Governor's desk.
HB 4700 authorizes the West Virginia Lottery Commission to determine if a person poses a threat to “patrons or participants in a sports event.”
Often times the harassment occurs in the stadium or arena but the measure would seek to punish those engaging in harassment online as well. Much of this has been brought on by gambling, and specifically player props whereby an athlete fails to meet a set result such as an Over/Under total score.
The punishment would result in a ban from appearing at sporting events.
Anyone banned is subject to a hearing with the commission.
House Bill 4700 advanced through the Senate unanimously last week following a 90-1 House of Delegates vote last month.
West Virginia was among the first states to legalize and regulate sports wagering after the 2018 SCOTUS ruling.
The state of Ohio took things a step further last month by banning player prop bets altogether.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
