§29-22-30. Responsible Gaming and Research and Industry Development Act; gaming data research and analysis for scholarly purposes; higher education curriculum development; preparation of report.

(a) Short Title – The provisions of this section may be cited as “The Responsible Gaming and Research and Industry Development Act.”

(b)(1) For the purposes of research only, West Virginia University shall be permitted to analyze transactional data and metrics of the type collected and maintained by the West Virginia Lottery as of March 1, 2024, related to gaming operations conducted in the state. For purposes of this section, “transactional data and metrics” refers to items such as demographic data, usage data, utilization of responsible gaming features, account suspension, complaints and financial information, including deposits, withdrawals, bonus usage, balance statements and bet-level data, as determined in the sole discretion of the West Virginia Lottery.

(2) Data provided by the West Virginia Lottery to West Virginia University for research purposes pursuant to this section is:

(A) To be transmitted in an anonymized manner by the West Virginia Lottery to West Virginia University, through hashing or other means, and excluding all personally identifiable information;

(B) Not a public record; and

(C) Is exempt from public inspection and copying under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, §29B-1-1 et seq. of this code.

(3) The university, upon receiving data, shall not disclose the data provided to this section to any person, except:

(A) For the purpose of conducting the research described in this section;

(B) As part of a peer-reviewed research report; or

(C) To gaming operators pursuant to a written request delivered to the West Virginia Lottery.

(c) West Virginia University shall develop a new program or alter or expand existing programs to include courses, training, certificates, initiatives or other methods designated to foster innovation in gaming technology development, and prepare students for careers in racing, gaming, gaming operations, hospitality management, guest relations, entertainment, and other amenities typically offered in conjunction with gaming operations.

(d) Commencing on January 1, 2026, and continuing annually thereafter, the State Lottery Commission, or a successor agency or agencies, shall annually cause a comprehensive report to be prepared and distributed to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on the impact of casino, video lottery, iGaming, racing, iLottery, and sports wagering on players and on the state’s economy, innovation in gaming technologies and gaming operations resulting from West Virginia University’s research authorized under this section, curriculum developed to educate future leaders in the state’s gaming and racing industries, and policy proposals developed by the West Virginia Lottery from the research authorized under this section. The report shall be prepared and distributed with the cooperation of West Virginia University.