CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Lottery Commission is talking about a public education campaign to stop ‘casino nights’ that are taking place in some parts of the state.
State law prohibits unlicensed use of things like slot machines, roulette wheels and craps tables at any place other than licensed casinos. Currently, vendors are contracting with some charitable organizations to use the equipment at fundraising events.
“We’re asking fraternal organizations, charitable groups, hospitals, churches and folks not to have these types of events, find something else,” state Lottery Director John Musgrave said Tuesday.
The use of an unlicensed gambling device is a felony and carries a hefty fine.
There are four casinos in West Virginia and they pay $2.5 million a year for a license, Lottery Commission Chair Ken Greear said.
“If you add it up that’s $10 million a year that these facilities have paid to have the right (to have casinos),” he said.
Commission members expressed concern Tuesday that if the activity isn’t stopped it could spread and become a bigger problem.
“We don’t want to see it go beyond charitable organizations and venues where small min-casinos have the potential of being in areas–which is not the intent of the legislature,” Greear said.
Most of the ‘casino nights’ have been popping up in north central West Virginia. Some have come after the charitable organization has been solicited by a vendor. Greear said many may not know it is against the law.