House Passes Table Games

Against many concerns the West Virginia House of Delegates passed legislation that will allow table games to be legalized. The new bill will allow for the state to add table games to their existing slot machines, which will bring in additional revenue. They were concerned with the states around them bringing in slot machines that they might start losing income, but with the legalization of the table games looking like it will be successful, they might not have that worry now.

The House has approved the table games 55-42, so now it goes to the Senate to see if they approve it as well. There are many who do not want to see the table games at the tracks, so there are bound to be many bucking for it to fail. The racetracks are looking to add blackjack, roulette, etc. to the slot machines they already offer.

They are also hoping to get the senate to reduce their 35% tax that they currently charge on game proceeds, and their annual fees. House Bill 2718 would allow table games in four counties – Hancock, Kanawha, Ohio, and Jefferson if those counties choose to allow them. Two of the tracks are horse tracks and the other two are greyhound tracks.

The next general election would see the Bill on their ballots, and then the voters would decide from there. The bill also has a stipulation that the bill could be recalled after five years if it is not working out for any of the counties.


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