A West Virginia bill banning individuals who harass sports participants from sports betting is headed to the governor’s desk as a law to be signed.
Legislative action was finalized on March 8 when HB 4700 passed in the Senate in time for the House of Delegates to pass the Senate’s amendment before the session ended on March 9.
The new law, which awaits the signature of Gov. Jim Justice, adds to the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act. It gives the lottery commission the authority to ban an individual from sports betting if a “pattern of conduct of harassing a sports official, coach, or any participants” is found or if a threat is posed.
Protecting student-athletes
A similar bill failed last year, but HB 4700 was introduced by Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio), who’s also the president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, on January 15 and was passed by the House on February 28.
The law coincides with a recent movement called for by NCAA President Charlie Barker, who cited harassment and mental health of student-athletes as an issue in collegiate sports.
Other states react
West Virginia isn’t the only U.S. state to make changes based on sports betting and student-athletes.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission prohibited sportsbook operators last month in the Buckeye State from offering college player props to cut down on harassment.
Maryland followed suit last week, citing harassment as the reason it was disallowing those prop bets.
