In a 25-8 vote, the West Virginia Senate recently passed SB 62, which would allow the state’s four existing racinos to open satellite casinos within their counties if voters approved them. It’s state Senator Eric Nelson’s third attempt to expand gambling in the state.
Nelson said his bill is “very similar to a bill that was introduced in the House in 2019 and introduced here last year.” The measure would allow the state’s racetrack casinos—Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, and Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack—to open a smaller, secondary location within the larger casino’s host county.
A county-wide referendum would be held after county and casino officials agree on a plan for a satellite casino.
Nelson said his proposal would help revive struggling retail shopping centers that have lost tenants and revenue due to Covid-19 and other economic factors. He noted other states have been successful revitalizing malls and other vacant buildings by locating mini casinos there.
“I think this is another way of looking at economic development in the four counties that currently have racetracks,” Nelson said.
Last year, only 23 state Senators supported Nelson’s satellite-casino bill, compared to 25 this year. The legislation now moves to the General Assembly for more consideration; it hasn’t as yet been assigned to a House committee. But lawmakers will need to act fast since the legislative session will end March 11.
