West Virginia strikes satellite casino bill down

A proposed legislation which would’ve cleared four counties to open satellite casinos has been rejected by a Senate committee.

US.- West Virginia continues to look to increase its gaming industry’s options but the Legislature has rejected part of the expansion as a Senate committee decided to struck down a bill that would’ve allowed four racetracks to open satellite casinos in their respective counties.

House Bill (HB) 2901, which was ruled out by state legislators and won’t be considered any further, was drafted to help a resort on Wheeling Island, as its business will be hurt from construction work in the highway near the area. Such development will cost both Wheeling and Mardi Gras venues up to US$8 million in revenue, Delaware North revealed.

“It’s got to be a windfall for the state of West Virginia… I don’t see a problem with this. I think it’s a win-win for the state,” bill supportive Senator Roman Prezioso said about the satellite operations, which would raise over US$2 million, mitigating the net loss from the construction work.

Still, the Senate Finance committee decided there were several concerns about the launch of further venues, such as potential closure of the original ones. “This is being sold as something we need because of the roads. This isn’t what it’s about… It doesn’t pass the smell test,” Senator Mike Maroney assessed about HB 2901, which was struck down after a 7-8 vote.