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Dispute Erupts Over West Virginia Track Profit

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – As reported by the Associated Press: "Brooke County plans to sue the West Virginia Racing Commission for letting Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center move 18 greyhound kennels into the county without also allowing it to share in the track's profit.

"County Prosecutor David Cross said relocating the kennels constitutes an expansion of the track's complex to a county that has never passed a local-option referendum on legal gambling. Under state law, counties that host racetrack casino facilities get a percentage of the profits.

"In fiscal 2003, Ohio County got a $1.8 million cut from Wheeling Island's net revenues, and the city of Wheeling got $1.04 million.

"…Ohio County residents voted to allow slot machines at Wheeling Island, which now has more than 2,000 machines and approval to operate 2,500. The track this year opened a $68 million addition that includes a 151-room hotel, a 660-seat showroom, two restaurants and 570 additional machines.

"Brooke County has never attempted such a local referendum.

",,But when the track operators asked the Racing Commission for permission to move their kennel compound to Beech Bottom in Brooke County, they raised a serious legal issue that has never been addressed in state statutes, Cross said…"

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