The West Virginia Lottery penalized two establishments with video lottery machines during a monthly meeting held earlier this week. The fines are because of non-sufficient funds and the second occurrence over a five-year period.
Places of entertainment in West Virginia are allowed to contain a limited number of video lottery machines.
The West Virginia Lottery did not fine any WV online casinos or retail casinos for infractions.
What are video lottery machines in West Virginia?
According to the West Virginia Lottery, video lottery machines are forms of interactive gaming that are similar to slot machines. However, these machines do not have to be inside casinos or gaming establishments.
In 2001, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill allowing a limited amount of video lottery machines at entertainment venues. The places in which they are permitted are classified as adult-only based on the fact that they possess a Class A, Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA) license and meet various other legal requirements.
The bill, known as the “Limited Video Lottery Act,” limited the amount of machines to 9,000 within the Mountain State and banned all forms of poker machines.
West Virginia gaming October fines
The West Virginia Lottery issued fines to the following operators in October:
- Steel Valley Bowling Center
- Jerry’s Bar
Steel Valley Bowling Center is a bowling alley with a restaurant and other entertainment, including video lottery machines. The West Virginia Lottery fined the establishment $1,407.69 for non-sufficient funds.
Jerry’s Bar was fined a much heftier amount. The West Virginia Lottery handed down a $26,959.63 penalty for the same violation.
Other fines the West Virginia Lottery has issued
The West Virginia Lottery did not issue any fines in September, but penalized two other establishments in August. Here are the places and the amounts:
- Blue Steel Grill: $5,512.23
- Mary’s Cafe: $8,721.99
Both businesses were tagged with the same infraction as Steel Valley Bowling Center and Jerry’s Bar.
Those are the only fines the West Virginia has publicly recorded in 2023.
