CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State lawmakers are considering a 50% fee cut for those who hold Limited Video Lottery machine permits.

The House of Delegates has sent a bill to the state Senate that would slice the annual $1,000 per video lottery machine fee that LVL permit holders pay to $500 per machine.

The purpose of HB 4338, according to Delegate Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, is to create a level playing field for neighborhood gambling parlors that’s been afforded larger casinos in the state in recent years through an improvement fund the state matches.

“That (the current improvement fund for casinos) has placed this particular segment of that industry on an unlevel playing field,” Gearheart said. “This gives those businesses the opportunity to have their own money to maintain those facilities.”

The fee cut would total about $4.5 million. There are roughly 9,000 LVL machines scattered throughout the state in parlors, fraternal clubs and other locations.

Delegate Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, argued against the bill during a debate in the House of Delegates back on Friday. He said LVL revenues are way ahead of projections. He said the legislature should look at ways to help other businesses.

“We’re trying a lot of different things and we look at a lot of businesses that are struggling and I would say these businesses are not struggling,” Burkhammer said. “I really don’t think this is an industry that needs our help.”

Gearheart said saving $500 per machine won’t be able to pay for full renovations at most locations but it may be enough to buy some new stools or install some new lights.

Delegate Dianna Graves, R-Kanawha, said she opposes gambling but views the 50% fee cut as helping local business owners.

“After COVID and everything else that small business have gone through, I’m willing to allow them this small reduction in fees,” Graves said.

The bill passed the House Friday 86-9.

https://wvmetronews.com/2022/02/20/house-passed-bill-would-cut-video-lottery-machine-annual-fee-in-half/