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West Virginia Table Game Bill Advances

CHARLESTON, West Virginia – As reported by the Charleston Gazette: "The state's four racetracks won the first round of the table games sweepstakes Tuesday, as the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bill to legalize casino-style games at the tracks on a 10-7 vote.

"Committee members rejected an amendment that would have required the approval of voters statewide to allow the games at the four racetracks. Sen. Steve Harrison offered the amendment, which gambling opponents regard as their best chance at derailing the table games legislation.

"Harrison, R-Kanawha, said there should be a statewide vote, because voters who approved a state lottery in 1984 never envisioned their vote would lead to the scale of gambling at racetracks in Ohio, Hancock, Kanawha and Jefferson counties.

"…Although the sound rejection of that amendment was a major victory for the tracks, the version of the bill (SB442) advanced Tuesday also doubles the state 'tax' on the tracks' profits from table games — 12 percent to 24 percent.

"John Cavacini of the West Virginia Racing Association said the tracks will try to get that percentage reduced when the Senate Finance Committee takes up the bill.

"…Table games supporters have said they are needed to replace revenue that will be lost as Pennsylvania and other border states legalize video slots — and that legislators should not treat table game profits as new money…"

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