Anti-Gambling Groups Geared Up Again

With the House of Representatives of West Virginia having passed the table games bill (House Bill 2718), it is now on to the Senate as Senate Bill 369. Many think that there is no chance of the bill passing the Senate as they are notorious for not allowing any kind of expansion of gambling – but just as many think they have a good shot this year.

The bills will allow residents in the state’s four counties that have racetracks to decide whether or not they are going to allow table games to join the slot machines that they already have. With neighboring states legalizing slot machines, West Virginia thinks it only prudent to add table games in order to try and offer their customers more than they would get across the state line.

However, with PA’s new video lottery system just months away from being online, experts say that the tracks are going to lose revenue to that whether or not table games are legalized. However, those against the expanded gambling say that they are going to fight tooth and nail to keep the games from being legalized. The group, West Virginia Values Coalition, has many religious and civil leaders pushing for the denouncement of the bill.

They say that it may seem like all they are doing is adding table games to the existing slot machines, but what they are adding is much worse. They said that the table games would add much more damage and social ills to the state than they are already facing with just the slot machines. They say that West Virginians have never asked for table games, that it has been the tracks and the government that are pushing for them, and they are asking residents to come out against the bill. They stand a good chance of winning, for many have already joined their side.

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