West Virginia introduces casino bill
The legislative piece would allow the four racetracks in the state to open one satellite casino.
US.- A bill that aims at allowing West Virginia’s four racetracks to open one satellite casino in the county where they’re located was introduced on Thursday in the house of Delegates of the state.
HB 2901, which has the support of the West Virginia Racing Association, would expand gaming in the state with up to four satellite casinos. The regulator’s President, John Cavacini, said that Delaware North, which owns Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras casinos, is interested in a satellite casino outside Wheeling. “It would be a building that houses some forms of gaming but will not have a racetrack and will not have a hotel,” Cavacini said.
Cavacini added that the satellite facility would feature video slots, table games, sports betting and possibly simulcast racing. State law currently requires racing and hotels in order to be a full-fledged casino.
The bill was sent on Thursday to both the judiciary and finance committees in the House, WV Metro News revealed. “I think the speaker (House Speaker Roger Hanshaw) has given instructions to his committee chairmen as what they see as a potential revenue source to the state of West Virginia they could run those bills,” Cavacini said.
