A couple of articles in The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register that I missed regarding table gaming and associated tourism. The first: http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503740.html discusses the award of grant money to "local tourism hot spots" including Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, in addition to Oglebay Park and the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau. Of the $766,073 being awarded in Wheeling, the Wheeling Island casino will receive $145,587. This grant package in Wheeling is part of a larger $5.1 million funding being handed out by the West Virginia Tourism Commission. The goal is to target more tourism to the various destinations within the state. Trying to turn "day-trippers into overnight visitors," is one of the major goals of floating money into this advertising effort. In any case, the grants awarded are matching funds, so it is clear that double the capital will be utilized in attracting tourism.
The second article: http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/503958.html discusses West Virginia tracks getting table gaming...well yeah, we know. However it does further outline, that one of the cornerstone arguments employed by officials to bring casino gaming to the Mountain State (at least in the Northern Panhandle was the creation of jobs and battling the competition presented to video lottery gambling, as the Pennsylvania General Assembly moved to allow the machines in Pennsylvania as well, cutting into that WV market. Well the argument did in fact work, and Chester and Wheeling have both enjoyed an incredible shot in the arm as far as increased revenues AND new jobs. Wheeling Island, according to the article, has created 500 new jobs and Mountaineer has added 725 new jobs, following the opening of casino style table games at each of the locations.
Check out the articles for yourself...I don't want to steal the thunder of the original writers Shelley Hanson and Joselyn King. They did all the leg work and deserve the credit. I think it's even more interesting to read through the list of comments following each of the articles. Not everyone supports the state's "gambling ways, and are letting their voices be heard. Regardless of the opinions the state is beneficiary to the gambling revenues to the tune of 35% of the profits. Not to mention, the initial $1.5 Million table game licensing fee, which when renewed the following year will increase its price tag to $2.5 Million.
Dollars and cents of this magnitude cannot be ignored!
The boost to a struggling West Virginia economy is much needed!
Regards,
cheer_dad
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