Gaming law is generally the law that applies to the gaming or gambling industry, including casinos, lotteries, horse racing, dog racing, sports betting, card games, table games, social gambling, bingo, raffles, slot machines, scratch tickets, etc. Gaming law includes state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations—and legal principles from traditional areas of law, such as contract law, administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, and regulatory law. For example, the federal statute prohibiting illegal gambling businesses is located at 18 U.S.C. §1955.

In West Virginia (WV), gaming law encompasses the regulation of various forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, sports betting, and racetrack betting on horses and dogs. The West Virginia Lottery Commission is the primary regulatory body overseeing gaming operations within the state. Casinos are legal and offer table games, slot machines, and poker, with the West Virginia Lottery Commission responsible for licensing and regulation. The state also permits online sports betting and has legalized online casino gaming. The Video Lottery Act and the Limited Video Lottery Act govern the use of video lottery terminals, which are similar to slot machines, in licensed establishments. The state lottery, established under the West Virginia Lottery Act, offers various games, including scratch tickets and drawings. Charitable gaming, including bingo and raffles, is permitted and regulated under state law. All gaming operations must comply with both state statutes and federal laws, such as the federal statute prohibiting illegal gambling businesses (18 U.S.C. §1955), which targets large-scale illegal gambling operations. It's important for entities and individuals involved in gaming in WV to adhere to these regulations to avoid legal repercussions.