Various groups made efforts urging West Virginia to allow each of its five legal casinos to set up a small satellite gaming site. The Charleston Town Center’s exterior was first seen in 2018. But, the effort to launch a casino in the West Virginia mall this year has died.
Eric Nelson (R-Kanawha), the state senator, introduced Senate Bill 100 (SB100). He wanted the legislature to allow local casinos to build secondary gaming locations. But, the targeted expansion sites would remain in their primary casinos’ host county.
Nelson stated that such a change would help revive poorly performing retail shopping centers such as the Charleston Town Center. Besides, most of the senates seconded his proposal, and they voted 23-10 to pass the SB100.
Unfortunately, the SB100 stalled after it moved to the House of Delegates for more consideration. It was forwarded to the House Finance and Judiciary committees, but none of them acted on it.
The Session Ends
The West Virginia Legislature ended its 2022 session on March 12. Lawmakers left Charleston and returned to their constituents. But, some legislatures in the Judiciary and Finance committees might have to explain why they failed to act on the satellite casino measure.
Neighboring Pennsylvania has used satellite casinos to offer vacant malls extra economic activities. For example, it has transformed the vacant Sears and Bon-Ton department stores into casino spaces having sports betting, slot machines, and table games. Still, another satellite in the state wants to acquire a closed down Macy’s in the Nittany Mall at the State College.
John Cavacini, West Virginia Gambling and Racing Association, said that Nelson attempted to act for his district. He tried to create a need for the mall to get something which would link it to the convention center opposite it, other restaurants, and hotels in the area. Cavacini applauded Senator Nelson for his effort.
If the senator’s bill had passed and Governor Jim Justice (R) signed it into law, it would not have accredited new casinos. But, it would have permitted each casino to get one satellite gaming location.
The new law would have granted county voters the power to oppose a gaming location. Also, every proposed satellite venue would have to get an endorsement from most of the county voters in a regional ballot referendum.
The SB100 would have greatly benefited Justice’s family, as his business empire comprises The Greenbrier. It runs a successful casino in a resort in White Sulphur Springs.
Existing Casinos Aren’t Affected
The dead casino bill was a likely permanent solution to growing concerts that permitting licensed gaming sites to broaden their operations to new locations would adversely affect the state’s five current casino properties.
It stipulates that the total number of locations that a certified racetrack can operate in a county is two. Yet, any accredited racetrack that sets up a secondary gaming site can continue operating the original facility, maintaining and offering accommodations, amenities, services, and options that the original facility has.
The bill stated that each satellite location opened in another municipality should have a revenue component. The full-scale casino’s host town must get not less than the local gaming tax revenue it got a year before setting up the satellite venue.
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