CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that would make several changes to the state Limited Video Lottery law passed the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon.
The measure, which has moved through the state Senate the last two years, would make four key changes to the current law that regulates the more than 8,000 Limited Video Lottery machines across the state.
H.B. 2191 would allow LVL operators to also obtain licenses to become LVL retailers for up to 10 locations, increase the maximum bet on LVL machines from $2 to $5, allow machines to take all bill denominations, the highest amount that’s now allowed is $20, and set the state Lottery Commission’s gross profits from the machines at 50 percent.
West Virginia Amusement and Limited Video Association Michael Haid told the committee there haven’t been many changes to the LVL law since it was first approved 17 years ago. He said some tweaks are needed for those in the industry. Haid said players also want to be able to bet more.
“What we hear in the industry with different type of games and some of the things we are looking to down in the future that $2 (per bet) isn’t enough anymore,” Haid said.
Del. Tom Fast, R-Fayette, spoke against the bill.
“Gambling is designed for people to lose. This is nothing more than a mechanism to bleed more money out of people who can’t afford it anyhow,” Fast said.
The measure passed on a voice vote and was forwarded to the House Finance Committee.