Update on Table Gaming in the Panhandle

Here is an update:

One of the State Senators for this area would like to address Table Gaming in the upcoming Special Session of the WV State Legislature. He seems to have some support for a bill which would sweeten the deal for county and local governments. In addition to the revenue the county and local governments receive, this bill would shift 1 percent of the state's share to the counties which have table gaming and shift an additional 1 percent of the state's share to the local (city) governments in counties which have table gaming.

Sounds like a good deal to me!




Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!

Rusty

I haven't played much in the past few months. I have spent most of my waking hours either taking care of my family or looking for a job. (If you have a job for me, let me know.)

So Monday was the first time I had fired up UB in a while. I have been playing the play money sit-n-gos there for a while and doing pretty well, more often than not "cashing". Well the time off was really bad for my game. I have become to impatient since I last played. Of course the fact that I am currently playing on 14.4 dial-up does not help matters much. I did not even break the top 20 in the 3 30 seat S-n-G's I played. Oh well, I guess I just need to practice more.

Note to WV Governor Manchin (like he reads this): Please sign the Table Gaming Bill! I want to play poker twenty minutes from my house!

Enjoy the pokery goodness!

WOOOO HOOOO

Some good news today.

No I haven't found a job yet. Anyone hiring in the Eastern Panhandle of WV?

The good news is that the West Virginia Legislature in it's collective wisdom has passed the Table Gaming bill. And unless the Governor finds something legally wrong with the bill, he is inclined to sign it into law.

Now before you make your reservations and start coming to the Mountain State in droves, there is the question of the local referendums.

There are four race tracks in WV. For a race track to have table gaming (POKER!!!!!!) the fine citizens of the county where a race track resides must vote to allow table gaming. Seems like a no-brainer, right. Table games mean more visitors leaving more money in the local economy creating more jobs and amenities for the locals. Well hold on. The fine people of Jefferson county where Charles Town Races and Slots is located might have an issue or two. CTRS is projected to provide the state with 48% of the table gaming revenue, but will be receiving a disproportionately small amount of the revenue back. This might make a majority of them angry enough to vote against it and ruin it for every one.

I will update further as events unfold. (Hopefully!)

I can't wait to enjoy the Pokery Goodness 20 minutes from home (once I have a job that is).

WV Gaming Law Update

It was reported yesterday that the Table Gaming Legislation (not yet introduced as a bill) only calls for about 12 percent of the gross proceeds to go to the state. Governor Manchin wants that percentage to be 24 percent. According to the State Lottery Commissioner, the higher percentage is more in line with the state and industry. Gaming industry officials say they want the lower percentage so they can build and renovate to make each Race Track a "resort" facility.

I hope they can compromise on the percentage. This one of the things that killed the bill two years ago. If they do not find a compromise, then the visitors from Pennsylvania will stay in their state and play their slots there, people working at the tracks will lose their jobs, communities will get less money for local projects, and most importantly (hee hee) I will not be able drive 20 minutes and play poker.

More updates later.

Enjoy the Pokery Goodness!