The latest draft of a bill to legalize sports betting in the West Virginia legislature has created quite a stir, and that could become an even bigger deal if it actually becomes law.
It’s not news that the West Virginia legislature has been moving to legalize sports betting within its borders. That’s been ongoing for months, with the debate more about what that model is going to look like in the state than whether or not to legalize single-event wagering. The latest details to be discussed are the most intriguing yet.
According to multiple reports, the latest addition to the bill would give a cut of the handle (revenue instead of profit) on all bets placed in the state to the state’s two major public universities, Marshall and West Virginia. Major college athletic programs receiving funding from legalized sports betting would be unprecedented. It could also be a game-changer.
This is all hypothetical right now. Even if the bill becomes law with that provision, it’s all contingent on the federal legislation which currently makes single-event wagering in West Virginia and 45 other states illegal. That’s quite possible, however. The United States Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in Christie v. NCAA, a challenge to that law, and could issue a ruling which strikes down the law as early as May 14. A bill to repeal that law has also surfaced in the US House of Representatives.
If the federal legislation is removed and West Virginia implements a system that gives sports betting revenue to the Mountaineers and the Thundering Herd, there could be many ramifications. One such possible effect is that other state legislatures could face pressure to enact similar provisions.
It’s possible that alumni and fans of the universities could apply the pressure to legislators. The pressure could also come from the athletic departments and universities themselves. What’s clear is the reason for Marshall, West Virginia and other athletic departments to be involved.
The lure of more revenue for simply doing what they’re already doing, putting on games that people want to bet on, is strong for schools like Marshall and West Virginia. Their need for revenue is great as they try to compete with other athletic departments in the costly, eternal fight to hire and retain the best staff along with have the greatest and latest facilities. Getting sports betting revenue could give Marshall and West Virginia an advantage.
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If that does materialize, expect people connected to college athletics departments in other states to seek that same advantage for their public universities. West Virginia could be a trendsetter, and it might not take long for that trend to catch on in legislative bodies all over the United States.