Expanded casino Laws Expires in West Virginia

In West Virginia, proposed legislation that would have permitted two of their state’s casinos to each set a satellite centre comprising gaming tables and video lottery terminals has fallen at the first hurdle after failing to make it past the committee point.

According to a report by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel paper, House Bill 2901 was on the wrong side of an eight-to-seven vote from the West Virginia State Senate’s Finance Committee after being heavily criticized by members of the West Virginia Amusement and Limited Video Lottery Association, which represents video lottery system operators at the southern country.

County growth:

The paper reported that the proposed legislation had sought to give Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, each of which are owned by Delaware North Companies Incorporated, consent to open an off-site site so long as those were situated in precisely the same county as their older counterparts.

Wheeling apprehension:

John Cavacini, President for the West Virginia Racing Association, told the paper that House Bill 2901 had also suffered because officials at the city of Wheeling had not adequately supported the step due to fears that Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack would eventually have its whole operation relocated to the newer location.

Cavacini said …

“The sad part about the entire thing is the city of Wheeling, though ultimately it had been neutral on the invoice, played around and did not give its approval before Tuesday. By that time, the competitions, the pub machine people, had the legislature believing Wheeling was contrary to it. The city and the pub machine people price Ohio County $20 million worth of investment from Delaware North [Businesses Incorporated] and 150 jobs. ”

Envisioned place:

John Myers, Director for the West Virginia State Lottery, advised legislators prior to the election that Delaware North Companies Incorporated was intending to build a 35,000 sq ft satellite place in Ohio County that was to have demanded up to 150 new workers. But this scheme is currently dead despite a previous purported assurance in the operator’s Regional President, Kim Florence, her company was committed to keeping its Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack centre open.

Florence reportedly advised members of the Finance Committee…

“This is a chance for us to grow our earnings. We’re not seeking to decrease the size of the [Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack] property. We are required to have a hotel and a racetrack. That facility is staying intact, even though it is not without its own challenges. ”