×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

West Virginia Senate OKs Bill Legalizing Daily Fantasy Sports

CHARLESTON (AP) – West Virginia senators have cleared a bill deeming daily fantasy sports legal.

The bill addressing businesses like DraftKings and FanDuel passed the Senate on an 18-16 vote Thursday. It moves to the House.

It says state law doesn’t prohibit offering or participating in fantasy games, or impose fines or criminal penalties.

The bill says games must tell participants about prizes before they start playing. It says skill and knowledge are necessary, and games must be based on accumulated statistics of individuals, including athletes.

It assures games aren’t based on the spread or score of one team, or the individual performance of one player in one event.

Some state attorneys general have asserted that the games are illegal gambling. Lawsuits over legality are ongoing in New York and Illinois, for example.

Meanwhile, a push to expand broadband access in rural West Virginia has passed the state Senate.

Senators voted 29-5 to clear the legislation Thursday, sending it to the House of Delegates.

The bill would seek to build more than 2,000 miles of fiber optic cable owned and operated by the state. The job would be put out for separate bids on different sections.

Bonds would be sought after a sponsor shows a section of the project is viable.

The proposal would allow issuance of bonds so that the state could offer loans and grants for the projects.

Several state agencies would also be required to apply for federal grants for different broadband initiatives.

A Federal Communication Commission report ranked West Virginia 48th nationally for access to high-speed broadband Internet service.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today