Saturday, September 23, 2006

West Virginia's gambling industry plans another push in the Legislature next
year for local option elections to allow table games at the state's four
racetrack casinos.
In preparation for next year's effort, a poll released by the state Racing
Association earlier this week shows 61 percent of West Virginians favor
local option elections, up from 51 percent in a similar poll released in
January. Also, according to The Associated Press, racetrack executives and
political action committees distributed more than $100,000 before the May
primary among 72 House of Delegates and State Senate candidates. Association
President John Cavacini said the industry will contribute to candidates for
the general election. The gambling industry wants table games such as
blackjack, poker and roulette because it will soon lose its regional
monopoly on video slot machines. Pennsylvania could license its first slot
machines next week. According to the AP, the tracks in Jefferson, Hancock,
Kanawha and Ohio counties together host nearly 11,400 video terminals
operated by the state Lottery Commission. They grossed more than $942
million last fiscal year for the tracks as well as state, county and local
governments. The racetracks provide thousands of jobs. By adding table
games, West Virginia's tracks say they could maintain their existing jobs
and even add to them as they expand.

But every expansion of gambling so far has required a statewide vote, not
local elections in four counties. This is an issue that cries out for a
statewide vote for several reasons. The problems associated with gambling
addiction will be felt in every county, especially those bordering
racetracks with table games.

After all, most of Cabell and Putnam counties are closer to the track at
Crosslanes than parts of Kanawha County are. So are parts of Mason and
Jackson counties. But under a local option, those four counties would have
no say in whether table games are offered there.

On this issue, all counties deserve a vote.