And at the Wheeling Island Casino, the players club point system for table-game players recently was lowered from one point for every bet to one point per bet. Every 100 points translates into that can be used toward free play or on-site purchases of food, beverages, retail shops or hotel rooms. The move is in response to decreasing table-game revenue, which has declined dramatically every year since 2009. The earning rate for slot play remains one point for every bet.
Kim Florence, senior director of marketing, said, “The change makes us even more competitive. We thought it was the right thing to do. Our program is rich in the sense that players can get what they want when they want it.” Florence noted bets at all table games earn points at the same rate, regardless of the house edge. Pit supervisors are responsible for tracking players’ bets. Players may redeem their points as soon as they finish playing or let them accumulate. Players can check their point balances at kiosks.
State revenue figures indicate Wheeling Island’s table games generated $32.2 million in revenue in fiscal 2009, the first full year blackjack, craps, roulette and similar games were dealt. In fiscal 2013, that amount dropped by 75 percent to $8.2 million. Slot revenues also declined from $158 million in fiscal 2009 to $98.9 million in fiscal 2013.
Casino officials said Pennsylvania took customers from West Virginia casinos when casinos there began offering table games in 2010. Ohio added casinos in 2012, attracting customers from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, West Virginia House Speaker Tim Miley said state lawmakers reached an agreement late last week on the so-called “haircut bill” to cut Lottery subsidies to the Thoroughbred and greyhound racing industries by 10 percent, but to keep subsidies as statutory accounts, not subject to legislative appropriation. Previously the House had passed a plan to reduce proposed subsidy account cutbacks from 15 to 10 percent, while the Senate voted to require the legislature appropriate the funds annually. Industry officials strongly opposed the legislation, which failed on the final night of the regular session. The bill had been holding up plans for a special session to address other appropriations bills.
Lottery subsidies totaled $87.6 million in fiscal 2013.
