Table Games

o Jefferson Co. residents to vote on table games o Lawmaker changes stand on table games o Measuring impact part of table games equation o Racetrack officials: Table games would bring jobs to Jefferson County o Jefferson Co. residents offer mixed opinions on table games CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- A drop of millions of dollars in live wagering, the decision by track owners to close the track in 1995 after a video lottery defeat at the hands of voters and a shortage of horses to run races at the track were among the problems that plagued Charles Town Races & Slots 14 years ago. "I've seen the worst here," said longtime Charles Town horseman Ann Hilton.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- A bill that would increase the local share of table games revenue for Jefferson County if voters there approve the gaming expansion at Charles Town Races & Slots has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Herb Snyder said Thursday night. If Senate Bill 718 is passed by lawmakers and table games are approved at Charles Town, Jefferson County and the other three counties that have racetracks in the state each would be able to retain 5 percent of the revenue generated, Snyder said.

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.Va. -- Del. John Doyle and state Sen. Herb Snyder will host a public meeting Wednesday at Jefferson High School about the table games bill that was passed in special session this week. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium, according to the lawmakers, who led efforts to get the legislation passed. "We're going to explain what the bill does and answer any questions," said Doyle, D-Jefferson. Snyder, D-Jefferson/Berkeley, said the meeting would be informational and explain what additional revenue could be generated for local governments through the addition of table games at Charles Town (W.Va.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to legalize table games at Pennsylvania's slot-machine casinos is nearing a vote. House officials say the chamber could give the bill a preliminary vote Tuesday and a final vote as early as Wednesday. However, the measure still requires Senate approval before it can become law, and a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi says there's no handshake deal between the chambers. In addition to legalizing table games, the bill would double to four the number of licenses for miniature "resort" casinos.

CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. - Charles Town Races & Slots has typically been a good neighbor, so its quest to add casino table games should be supported, according to the general sentiment at a public forum Thursday. About 30 people attended the public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, and most were rather familiar and satisfied with the facility's operations. Several were affiliated with the track. Adding table games like blackjack and roulette to West Virginia tracks' offerings is necessary to keep them competitive, especially now that Pennsylvania is licensing slots parlors, said John V. Finamore, senior vice president of regional operations for Penn National Gaming Inc., which owns Charles Town Races & Slots.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A group of local elected officials, including three members of the Jefferson County Commission, met Wednesday and discussed taking a position on casino table games for Charles Town Races & Slots. At the council of governments meeting Wednesday at the Charles Town Visitors Center, members discussed a possible resolution on casino table games. Ranson Mayor David Hamill said the city wants to support the games and he discussed in a letter to the commission a possible resolution in support of table games.

o Jefferson Co. residents to vote on table games o Lawmaker changes stand on table games o Racetrack officials: Table games would bring jobs to Jefferson County CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Two years after three West Virginia counties voted to allow table games at area casinos, community leaders say their fears of crime and addiction were all for naught, unlike hopes for jobs and revenue. Voters in Hancock, Ohio, and Kanawha counties passed a measure allowing table games in the summer of 2007 after months of public debate.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. - The idea of legalizing table games like poker and blackjack for Charles Town Races & Slots and other racing facilities in the state is getting cool reception from local lawmakers who say the area does not need the expanded gambling. Lawmakers say legislation allowing table games at the local track and three other racing facilities is likely to get another look in the Legislature, which begins its regular session Jan. 11. A bill that would let Kanawha, Jefferson, Hancock and Ohio counties vote on table games died at the end of the last legislative session, and officials believe the measure will be considered again in the upcoming session.

CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. The Jefferson County Commission agreed Thursday to hold a special election June 9 to allow Jefferson County residents to decide whether casino table games should be allowed at Charles Town Races & Slots. The commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the election after a track official said he believed June 9 is a good day because it is a Saturday and many residents will be off from work. John Finamore, senior vice president of regional operations for Penn National Gaming Inc., which owns Charles Town Races & Slots, said, "We're ready to go. " The decision to hold the election June 9 comes a week after the issue was last discussed with the commission.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Saying Charles Town Races & Slots could be a "world-class destination" if it had casino table games, a track official told the Jefferson County Commission on Thursday that owners of the oval would pump another $150 million in improvements into the facility if it had table games. John Finamore, senior vice president of regional operations for Penn National Gaming Inc., which owns the local thoroughbred track, made the comments during a Jefferson County Commission meeting Thursday.