As reported by the West Virginia Herald-Dispatch: “The debate over whether
table gambling should be allowed at West Virginia’s four racetracks might
come down to who gets to vote on the decision, a group of panelists said
Thursday. “The panel discussion was part of a legislative lookahead forum
sponsored by the Associated Press at Marshall University’s Graduate College
campus in South Charleston. “.Racetrack officials will make another push
during the 60-day legislative session, which begins Wednesday, to allow the
four racetrack counties — Jefferson, Kanawha, Hancock and Ohio — to have
local referenda on the table gambling issue. “.[Rev. Dennis] Sparks, a
staunch opponent of gambling expansion in West Virginia as well as the
state’s reliance on lottery revenues, said any vote on table gambling must
be conducted statewide. “.Ted Arneault, president of MTR Gaming Group Inc.,
which runs the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Hancock County,
claimed that provisions in the state constitution would make a statewide
vote nearly impossible.”