The West Virginia House of Delegates has recently proposed a new bill that aims to broaden casino gambling within the state. If passed, this bill would grant West Virginia casinos that also have a racetrack the opportunity to establish an extra satellite casino within the same county.
House Bill 2901, introduced by Delegate Erikka Storch of Ohio, has the potential to affect four out of the five legally operating casinos in West Virginia.
- The Hollywood Casino situated in Jefferson County is known as the Charles Town Races.
- Hancock County is home to the renowned Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
- The Mardi Gras Casino and Resort is located in Kanawha County.
- Ohio County’s Wheeling Island Hotel
At present, West Virginia legislation mandates that a casino must have racing facilities and hotel accommodations. However, the proposed bill aims to remove these requirements specifically for satellite casinos.
Last Thursday, the House assigned the bill to both the judiciary and finance committees.
Wheeling Island wants to expand
Delaware North, the proud owner of Wheeling Island and the Mardi Gras Casino, has expressed their desire to expand their betting services to The Highlands, a retail park situated in close proximity to Wheeling. Their plan entails establishing a new satellite casino that would feature an array of entertainment options such as video slots, table games, sports betting, and potentially simulcast racing.
Delaware North is seeking to minimize risks by diversifying its options. The company is expressing concerns about the uncertain future of Wheeling Island, primarily due to recurring floods and ongoing construction on the Interstate 70 bridges. In order to offset potential losses, the introduction of a new retail casino and sportsbook is being considered as a viable solution.
In a conversation with the Times Leader, Kim Florence, the regional president and general manager of Wheeling Island, discussed the concerns at hand.
We have additional worries regarding the bridge and road construction scheduled to occur within the next two to three years. This development will undoubtedly affect people’s accessibility to the casino. This legislation could offer us a proactive measure to safeguard the tax revenue generated by the casino.
The bill includes provisions to ensure that the City of Wheeling receives its rightful funds even after The Highlands becomes operational. Additionally, the bill dictates that any surplus revenue shall be divided among the municipalities, beyond Wheeling’s guaranteed portion.
Delaware North is focused on safeguarding Wheeling Island’s financial interests, while Mardi Gras Casino is exploring expansion opportunities. According to reports, Mardi Gras Casino is contemplating the Town Center Mall in downtown Charleston as a potential location for its satellite venture.
WV Casino expansion has initial support
All the right places seem to be showing support for this new bill.
Florence engaged in conversations with the relevant individuals to gather support and ensure the successful implementation of this new legislation.
“I’ve collaborated extensively on this project, having engaged with various individuals and entities such as the city, delegates, and senators,” Florence explained. “Our rapport with the county is strong as well, as we have held fruitful discussions and reached a mutual agreement regarding the revenue stream.”
The horse racing industry in West Virginia has been positively impacted by casino gambling and WV sports betting, as indicated by the support of John Cavacini, president of the West Virginia Racing Association, and the other racetracks in the state.
Cavacini said,
All the other tracks are in agreement as long as the bill states that any licensee of a para-mutual license has the chance to establish a location.
Given the lack of opposition, it appears inevitable that additional satellite casinos will continue to emerge throughout the state in the near future.
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