Two West Virginia bookie operations have been closed for two weeks due to a dispute with a supplier. As a result, a state lawmaker showed his frustration about the situation in social media.
Delegate Shawn Fluharty is unhappy with the rollout of sports betting in his state. His frustration came from the closing of the West Virginia bookie at the Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack.
In addition, Delaware North temporarily closed the West Virginia bookie at the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort. The casinos told news reporters a contractual dispute between Miomni Gaming and its supplier caused the shutdown. As a result, casino sportsbooks and mobile apps remain unavailable for a couple of weeks. Also, there is no best bookie pay per head options in the state.
West Virginia Bookie Shutdown
West Virginia lawmakers made sports betting legal in 2018 after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA. The lottery commission supervises sports betting in the state. In addition, it is communicating with all parties involved to resolve their problem as soon as possible.
The regulator also told bettors to contact the casinos about their concerns. Del. Fluharty wants the casinos to reopen their sportsbooks in time for the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Also, he said March Madness will be larger than Super Bowl when it comes to betting activity.
The West Virginia Lottery told pay per head reviews site that Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras were the last casinos to launch their sportsbooks. Since their launch, Wheeling Island got $5.9 million in bets, while Mardi Gras had $8.2 million.
The good news is that sports bettors can place their bets in other sportsbooks in West Virginia, including FanDuel in The Greenbrier, and William Hill sportsbook at Mountaineer Casino and Hollywood Casino.
However, there is no bookie pay per head operation in the state. Sportsbook operators need to partner with existing casinos to offer online wagering in West Virginia.
