West Virginia Code Chapter 29. Miscellaneous Boards and Officers § 29-22A-16. Offenses and penalties

(a) A licensee who places a video lottery game or video lottery terminal into play without authority of the commission to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not more than $5,000, except that in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of the fine imposed may be not more than $25,000.

(b) A person who operates, carries on or exposes for play a video lottery game or video lottery terminal after the person's license has expired and prior to the actual renewal thereof is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not more than $5,000, except that in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of the fine imposed may be not more than $25,000.

(c) A licensee who possesses any video lottery terminal or other device, equipment or material which the person knows has been manufactured, distributed, sold, tampered with or serviced in violation of the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not more than $5,000, except that in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of the fine imposed may be not more than $25,000.

(d) A licensee who knowingly conducts, carries on, operates or exposes for play, or allows to be conducted, carried on, operated or exposed for play any video lottery game, video lottery terminal, or other device, equipment or material which has in any manner been tampered with, or placed in a condition, or operated in a manner, the result of which tends to deceive the public or tends to alter the normal random selection of characteristics or the normal chance of the video lottery game which could determine or alter the result of the game is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not more than $5,000, except that in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of the fine imposed may be not more than $50,000.

(e) A licensee who employs or continues to employ an individual, not issued a permit under the provisions of this article, in a position with duties which would require a permit under the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not more than $5,000, except that in the case of a person other than a natural person, the amount of the fine imposed may be not more than $25,000.

(f) A person who, without obtaining the requisite permit as provided for in this article, works or is employed in a position with duties which would require a permit under the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year and fined not more than $10,000.

(g) A person who, while a video lottery game is being played at a licensed racetrack, uses, or assists another in the use of, an electronic, electrical, or mechanical device which is designed, constructed, or programmed specifically for use in obtaining an advantage at playing any video lottery game is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than six months or fined not more than $1,000, or both.

(h) A person who knowingly violates a provision of this article, or the rules of play or game rules of a video lottery game and who profits thereby in an amount equal to $1,000 or more, is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than ten years, or, in the discretion of the court, be confined in jail not more than one year and shall be fined not more than $2,500. If the person profits thereby in an amount less than $1,000, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail for a term not to exceed one year or fined not to exceed $2,500, or both.

(i) A person who fails to perform any of the duties or obligations created and imposed upon them by the provisions of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty as may be determined by the commission, not to exceed $10,000.