West Virginia House Passes Table Gaming Bill
Legislation permitting casino-style gambling at West Virginia’s four racetracks passed the House of Delegates for the first time Friday.
The bill (HB2718), which now goes to the Senate, would give the state 35 percent of the profits from the games. The state’s racetracks would have to pony up a $1.5 million fee for the games in their first year and $2.5 million each year afterward.
Delegates rejected a number of amendments that would have crippled the bill Thursday. After more than an hour of debate Friday, the House passed the measure on a 55-42 vote.
Supporters hailed it as a bill to create jobs, while opponents said it hurts people, does not bring a steady flow of income and does not project the image West Virginia wants.
"We will become known as the Las Vegas of the East," said House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha. "I think our people are better than this, and we should give them better than this."
Armstead’s district includes Nitro, site of Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Resort.
The bill is expected to have an easier time mustering support in the Senate, which passed similar legislation in 2005.
An Eastern Panhandle lawmaker urged passage of the bill Friday because he fears the loss of jobs in the Northern Panhandle, home to tracks at Wheeling and Chester.
"If we do not pass this bill," said Delegate John Doyle, D-Jefferson, whose district includes Charles Town Races and Slots, "there will be hundreds of jobs lost in Northern West Virginia."
The Northern Panhandle tracks have been nervous about adjacent Pennsylvania allowing slot machines. The tracks have said they will lose jobs when Pennsylvania starts its slot machines and want the table games — which include such things as poker and roulette — to rejuvenate their business.
News provided by : SaturdayGazetteMail.com.
February 17, 2007
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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