West Virginia Casinos Aren’t Worried — Yet
By JOSELYN KINGArticle Photos
WHEELING - Officials at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort and at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack said they don't expect any roulette wheels to spin at proposed Ohio casinos for at least two years.
As such, they will let their bets ride on plans to attract gamblers from the Columbus and Cleveland markets.
Ohio voters on Tuesday approved Issue 3, which will allow one casino to be built in each of the following cities: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. The passage comes just as West Virginia's casino operators strive to compete against slot machines in nearby Pennsylvania and to make up for the loss of patronage by attracting gamblers from Ohio.
"Overall, it's too early to speculate on the market impact - based on the fact there is opposition and proposed amendments that could come into play," said Kim Florence, spokeswoman at the Wheeling Island facility. "We do feel in Ohio it will take a couple of years to get up and running. During that time, we will continue to focus on our business plans and focus on the Ohio market - as we've always intended to do.
"Pennsylvania and Ohio are our core audiences, and we will take advantage of any time we might have as this unfolds," she added. "We will continue to monitor efforts to build casinos in Ohio. As this unfolds, we will plan accordingly."
The MTR Gaming Group, owner of Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in Chester, had actively campaigned against Issue 3. The company also owns Scioto Downs in Columbus and wishes to have casino-style gambling there.
Tamara Pettit, spokeswoman for Mountaineer, said Wednesday that MTR will continue to look at ways to develop Scioto Downs.
"We already have dealt with the introduction of competition as The Meadows has gone online with slots," she said. "The passage of Issue 3 will add to an already competitive market."
Pettit said Mountaineer "will continue to offer the most diverse entertainment experience" with the addition of shows and other offerings at the track.
"In recent months, we have been focused on customer experience," she noted.
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USMCDeathPimp
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11-05-09 8:40 PM
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i was at the track both saturday, and yesterday. all i can say is "they better worry'. The seniors going there will not travel like they do now, some dont already with pa opened up. only savior here is the greyhounds, as usual.
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BurningUp07
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11-05-09 7:39 PM
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Well Mountaineer also has regular horse racing so that makes it an attractive venue to some. Some people aren't interested in the Wheeling Downs greyhounds or trotters that the Meadows has. If WV wants to compete, time to legalize prostitution! We'll have all the pretty parks and scenery, plus working girls from all the over world. Total win in my book =D Ellis @6:51 - I'll agree there. Once PA gets table games and Ohio gets casinos, more layoffs are inevitable. Casinos are just a quick gimmick, the easy buck, which is why all the states are coming on board.
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atoddh
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11-05-09 7:23 PM
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Mountaineer is more of a resort destination and in that regard is different and can be expanded.The proposed Ohio venues are very grand scale Las Vegas-like and will be formitable draws for the region.PA legalization of tables will be a real set back for WV. The State of WV should do everything possible to facilitate improvements at the NP casinos in the near term to develop a following.
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EllisWyatt
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11-05-09 6:51 PM
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Gambling was going to fund education in West Virginia. Didn't happen. Legalized gambling was going to eliminate corruption. Didn't happen. Gambling was going to "create" jobs. Well, if by "create" you mean laying off 300, hiring 300 and claiming "300 new jobs created". West Virginia Math: 300-300 = 300! OR Established Company A sells a unit of its' business to new Company B. Said unit employs 100 people. Employees did work for Company A, now they work for Company B. How many jobs were created? Answer (in West Virginia Math): 100!
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true2bun
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11-05-09 2:47 PM
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plenty of time to get prostitution legalized. I live in a small town that is not economicaly depressed and there are lots of casinos. My family and I never visit them, but there can be more than one
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nosmart
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11-05-09 2:06 PM
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montaineer wants to cut the nags & we think that what got us here. go figure. no one to shovel the stuff. ho ho ho
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florida
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11-05-09 12:05 PM
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In economically depressed areas, casinos are perceived as a sure way to draw tourists and create new jobs. Does casino gambling foster economic development in a community? While the casinos themselves may profit, are there also economic benefits for the community, such as the creation of new jobs and spin-off revenues for local restaurants and shops. Instead of rejuvenating a city, a casino can actually kill other businesses by sucking money out of the economy. Studies have shown that many of gambling's supposed benefits are nothing but the economic equivalent of a shell game. While casinos create new jobs, some existing jobs in other businesses are lost.
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formerohvalleyresident
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11-05-09 10:31 AM
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Humbug! How much business does the Island really get from Cleveland and Columbus with the high price of gasoline now? I would think the PA casinos created a much bigger hit due to their proximity. Besides gambling may create a lot of "jobs" but the big bucks go the Casino owners, not the workers or the area. In fact, they likely drain discretionary income from patrons who would spend money on other local restaurants or their home improvements instead of feeding it into machines!
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JamesT
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11-05-09 10:28 AM
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"West Virginia Casinos Aren’t Worried — Yet" What? Let us get this straight. Mountaineer spent millions of dollars fighting against both Pennsylvania and Ohio casino elections. Mountaineer hires West Virginia politicians who protect thier interests. Do your own research om these sleazy owners and thier political prostitutes.
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BurningUp07
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11-05-09 10:14 AM
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You can almost hear the Grim Reaper whispering the name "West Virginia".
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dyingov
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11-05-09 5:50 AM
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Only so much gambling money to go around! Live by the sword........
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