West Virginia Needs More Than Slot Machines

Without something more than slot machines, the thoroughbred racing industry in West Virginia is doomed. For a business that supports more than 3,600 people and an annual economic impact of $173 million, we should give them more slot machines or something comparable. Because of the demand for slot machines in other states, it is taking business away from the tracks.

It has become almost impossible for West Virginia to convince out of state gamblers to keep coming to their tracks, when if they have their choice – nine times out of ten they are going to go where they can watch racing and play the slot machines – and not have to travel to do it. If the tracks go out of business, lost jobs and lost revenue for the state will be hard for West Virginia to bear.

West Virginia is a large breeding farm state; in fact it is 12th in the nation for registered Thoroughbred foals. However, that is a number that is likely to change without the addition of the tables with the slot machines. With Pennsylvania adding up to 61,000 slot machines and the first casino having just opened, WV is going to start feeling the pinch. West Virginia legalized slot machines back in 1994 to save the horse racing industry then, why shouldn’t they add tables now?

With new legislators coming into the House in January, many think that they might consider legalizing table games to go along with the existing slot machines, just to give the state an edge over those that only offer slots.

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