2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 29. Miscellaneous Boards and Officers › Article 25. Authorized Gaming Facility › §29-25-13. False Statements on Applications; Other License or Registration Requirements and Prohibitions

(a) Any person who knowingly makes a false statement on an application is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 and confined in jail for not more than six months except that in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of the fine imposed may not be more than $25,000.
(b) The commission may not grant a license or registration pursuant to the provisions of this article if there is substantial evidence that the applicant:
(1) Has knowingly made a false statement of a material fact to the commission;
(2) Has been suspended from operating a gambling game, gaming device, or gambling operation in another jurisdiction by a board or other governmental authority of that jurisdiction having responsibility for the regulation of gambling or gaming activities;
(3) Has been convicted of a felony, a gambling offense, a theft or fraud offense or has otherwise demonstrated, either by a police record or other satisfactory evidence, a lack of respect for law and order:
Provided
, That the Lottery Commission shall apply 29-25-13(d) and 29-25-13(e) of this code in determining whether an applicants prior criminal convictions bear a rational nexus to the license being sought;
(4) Has failed to meet any monetary obligation in connection with a gaming facility or any other form of gaming; or
(5) In the case of an applicant for a license to operate a gaming facility or to supply a gaming facility:
(A) Has not demonstrated financial responsibility sufficient to meet adequately the requirements of the enterprise proposed;
(B) Is not the true owner of the enterprise or is not the sole owner and has not disclosed the existence or identity of other persons who have an ownership interest in such enterprise; or
(C) Is a corporation and five percent or more of the stock of the corporation is subject to a contract or option to purchase at any time during the period for which the license is issued unless the contract or option was disclosed to and approved by the commission.
(c) In addition to any other grounds specified in this article, and subject to the hearing provisions of 29-25-17 of this code, in the case of a license to operate a gaming facility the commission may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee or any controlling person of the applicant or licensee knowingly employs an individual in a senior management position who has been convicted of a felony, bearing a rational nexus to the license, under the laws of this state, another state, a territory of the United States, or the United States or employs any individual in a senior management position who has had a license relating to the operation of a gaming facility revoked by this state or any other state:
Provided
, That the Lottery Commission shall apply 29-25-13(d) and 29-25-13(e) of this code in determining whether an applicants prior criminal convictions bear a rational nexus to the license being sought.
(d) The Lottery Commission may not disqualify an applicant from initial licensure because of a prior criminal conviction that remains unreversed unless that conviction is for a crime that bears a rational nexus to the activity requiring licensure. In determining whether a criminal conviction bears a rational nexus to a profession or occupation, the Lottery Commission shall consider at a minimum:
(1) The nature and seriousness of the crime for which the individual was convicted;
(2) The passage of time since the commission of the crime;
(3) The relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity, and fitness required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the profession or occupation; and
(4) Any evidence of rehabilitation or treatment undertaken by the individual.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, if an applicant is disqualified from licensure because of a prior criminal conviction, the Lottery Commission shall permit the applicant to apply for initial licensure if:
(1) A period of five years has elapsed from the date of conviction or the date of release from incarceration, whichever is later;
(2) The individual has not been convicted of any other crime during the period of time following the disqualifying offense; and
(3) The conviction was not for an offense of a violent or sexual nature:
Provided
, That a conviction for an offense of a violent or sexual nature may subject an individual to a longer period of disqualification from licensure, to be determined by the Lottery Commission.
(f) An individual with a criminal record who has not previously applied for licensure may petition the Lottery Commission at any time for a determination of whether the individuals criminal record will disqualify the individual from obtaining a license. This petition shall include sufficient details about the individuals criminal record to enable the Lottery Commission to identify the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred, the date of the conviction, and the specific nature of the conviction. The Lottery Commission shall provide the determination
within 60 days of receiving the petition from the applicant. The Lottery Commission may charge a fee to recoup its costs for each petition.
(g) Character references may be required of persons licensed, but the character reference may not be obtained from persons in the same or similar occupations or professions in other states.