West Virginia Slot Machines

West Virginians have a reason to be concerned about their slot machine revenue, for if Ohio voters decide on Tuesday to approve slot machines in their state they are going to start seeing a reduction in slot machine revenue. Ohio voters are deciding whether or not to let 31,500 slot machines become legal in their state, and that large quantity of slot machines would have an incredibly negative effect on West Virginia’s slot machine revenue.

Kanawha County would stand to be hit probably the hardest in the slot machine revenue department, as they are the closest. Pro-slot machine and gambling groups have been working hard the past few years to compete with the slot machine and gambling expansion that has been going on around their borders, especially Pennsylvania as they are due to open their first slot machine casino soon.

"We've been concentrating so much on what's happening in Pennsylvania that the other situation just kind of snuck up on us," said John Cavacini, a lobbyist and president of the West Virginia Racing Association. "I can't tell you the impact of what's happening in West Virginia right now, let alone Ohio, when it comes to this year's election."

Many within the state have decided that it would only make sense for their state to add to the slot machines with not only more slot machines but also expand into table gambling. By adding something Pennsylvanian’s do not currently have they may be able to hold onto more of their slot machine customer base than they otherwise would be able to.

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