FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 07, 2023
Time Requested: 02:30 PM
Agency: Lottery Commission, WV
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
3483 Introduced SB571
CBD Subject: Actions, Suits and Liens


FUND(S):

Lottery

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:





Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


Summarize in a clear and concise manner what impact this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government. Due to ambiguities in SB 571, the Lottery is unable to project what impact it may have on costs and revenues of state government. The Lottery is unsure of what financial obligation it may have to independent evaluators. SB 571 directs the Lottery to "accredit" independent evaluators and for licensees to "select" independent evaluators but appears to be silent on whether the licensee or the State is responsible for the payment of the evaluator's services. Additionally, while SB 571 allows the Lottery to determine material misrepresentations of experts/influencers and demand explanation or take "further action" to be resolved between influencer, the Lottery, the licensee and the AG's office, the bill itself does not include any penalties. It only mentions "further action" in broad reference to potential penalties. For such reasons, the Lottery is unable to project what impact SB 571 may have on costs and revenues of state government.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2023
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Please explain increases and decreases in personal services, current expenses, repairs and alterations, assets, other costs and revenues, including assumptions and data sources and delineation between start-up and ongoing costs. Please also include a long-range schedule of costs and revenues if fiscal impact is expected to vary in future years. Due to ambiguities in SB 571, the Lottery is unable to project what impact it may have on costs and revenues of state government. The Lottery is unsure of what financial obligation it may have to independent evaluators. SB 571 directs the Lottery to "accredit" independent evaluators and for licensees to "select" independent evaluators but appears to be silent on whether the licensee or the State is responsible for the payment of the evaluator's services. Additionally, while SB 571 allows the Lottery to determine material misrepresentations of experts/influencers and demand explanation or take "further action" to be resolved between influencer, the Lottery, the licensee and the AG's office, the bill itself does not include any penalties. It only mentions "further action" in broad reference to potential penalties. For such reasons, the Lottery is unable to project what impact SB 571 may have on costs and revenues of state government.



Memorandum


Please identify any areas of vagueness, technical defects, reasons a bill would not have a fiscal impact, and/or any special issues not captured elsewhere on this form. - SB 571 is not clear on whether the State or Licensees are responsible for the independent evaluators' services/fees. - the Title of the new law created by SB 571 is "regulating fantasy gaming competitions and sports wagering through independent evaluations" which would indicate fantasy gaming competitions and/or Daily Fantasy Sports ("DFS") is within the purview of SB 571. Based on a July 7, 2016 Attorney General Opinion, DFS and fantasy games are games of skill and thus not regulated in the State of West Virginia. Allowing for DFS and fantasy regulation via SB 571 is contrary to the standing authority on the regulation of DFS and fantasy games in West Virginia. - The Lottery is not familiar with the independent evaluators contemplated by this bill or the cost that may be associated therewith. - The Lottery does not know how to interpret the following language in lines 42 through 45: "Those licensees who do meet the criteria for independent evaluator services - based on sports betting content, experts or influencers, and/or content partners definition - will have their independent evaluator fees supplemented by the state of West Virginia until such time they become financially capable to do so, as decided by the state of West Virginia."



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: W. Brian Nickerson, General Counsel
    Email Address: bnickerson@wvlottery.com