Poker in West Virginia

[maromb78]

I was wondering if anybody has heard about West Virginia's plans to legalize poker in their casinos? I have heard talk about it but can't seem to find any good information on line.

[BluffTHIS!]

Check down the list for the B&M forum. I remember it being discussed there in the past. You could also try an advanced google search on this site for same.

[Artsemis]

Was also discussed in this forum. I'm headed to work but do a search on my username containing "West Virginia".

[tippy]

I believe it is up for a vote in the near future. I live near Morgantown and the nearest place to gamble is Wheeling, however they only have slots and no table games. The closest place for Poker is Atlantic City, which is about a 6 hour drive. I have no idea why anyone plays slots, but it is big business here. As you may know, Pittsburgh just finalized plans for a very large casino (Majestic I believe)containing slots and now West Virginia is trying to stay one step ahead of Pennsylvania by adding table games to their already existing slots. If given the choice, I would definitely go to Pittsburgh rather than Wheeling, since the drive is about the same distance (however, I don't play slots so the trip would just be for entertainment, which Wheeling doesn't have). If WV doesn't vote for table games, the state stands to lose a majority of their gaming revenue to Pennsylvania. I'm guessing table games should be coming to WV in the near future.

Latest article, today, Friday Jan 26, 2007:

http://www.dailymail.com/story/News/+/2007012536/Lottery+Commission+ready+to+regulate+table+games

[Tcchap]

There is an article in today's Wheeling Intelligencer. Basically, a bill will be proposed in the house on possibly tuesday of next week. The bill would allow the 4 racetracks in the state to petition the county commision to allow table games. The residents in that county would then vote on whether to allow the games or not. Some in downstate West Virginia (The southern part of the state)do not agree with only allowing residents in the racetrack counties to vote because they say that gambling will affect the entire state. However, with Pennsylvania introducing slot machines, WV stands to lose alot of money if they don't try to stay one step ahead with the table games.

I for one live in Wheeling and will be ecstatic if poker comes to Wheeling Island!

[5thStreetHog]

There was a good thread here in the legislation forum a little while back,not sure if its been active lately though.Im in Pittsburgh and im hoping WV does get table games.Im thinking its the first step to PA getting them down the line.