A pair of recently filed West Virginia sports betting bills attempt to mirror laws in adjacent states that cover issues related to wagering.'
One bill, HB 4700, would give the West Virginia's sports betting regulator the ability to ban bettors who harass athletes, coaches, and officials. Ohio enacted similar legislation last year, months after University of Dayton basketball coach Anthony Grant complained about his players receiving social media harassment.'
West Virginia Del. Shawn Fluharty, who introduced the same legislation last year, told Sports Handle in September he's more optimistic about the bill's chances of passing in 2024.'
The other new bill, HB 4019, would allow the West Virginia State Lottery Commission to accredit independent tout and handicapper evaluators. Those evaluators would provide an audit of sports betting content coming directly from operators or the affiliates of operators.'