Lottery Chief Resigns on Eve of sports betting

In a shock circulate, the director of the West Virginia Lottery resigned the day earlier than the first sports having a bet operation become to move live in the state.

Alan Larrick, director of the West Virginia Lottery fee, resigned Friday, in keeping with a free up from the Governor’s workplace. His resignation is useful these days.

“After the a success inaugurate of activities gaming at the Hollywood online casino in Charles town the day past, Alan Larrick advised Gov. Jim Justice that he would step down because the Director of the West Virginia Lottery helpful September 1, 2018,” the unencumber talked about.

Justice appointed Larrick Director in January 2017. Larrick, a Beckley native, has worked as an attorney for 38 years in Beckley, forming the Larrick legislations offices in 1996.

“There is no question he has finished a superb job and he could be neglected,” Justice observed.

Telephone calls to the Governor’s office, the Lottery and Larrick’s legislation office had been no longer back.

The state department of income, which oversees the Lottery fee, had no clue when called Friday shortly earlier than the Governor’s statement was released.

“I had now not heard that, I had no concept,” noted Kathy Torlone, a Govt assistant to Secretary Dave Hardy and listed because the contact for interviews. “No one during this workplace had heard anything.”

The Lottery fee oversees and regulates all video games, limited video lottery, racetrack video lottery, racetrack desk games and online casino gaming. They now adjust activities having a bet within the state after the West Virginia residence and state Senate passed legislation March 3 in anticipation of a U.S. Supreme courtroom resolution legalizing activities having a bet in May. Hollywood online casino in Charles city will be the first racetrack and online casino in the state to move are living with sports making a bet Saturday.

“Larrick oversaw a 12 p.c boost in speedy earnings, the primary yr. over 12 months raise in speedy earnings in more than a decade, and a $12 million complete earnings enhance from the previous year, the primary 12 months over yr. revenue enhance considering the fact that 2012,” in line with the Governor’s office.