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New Ohio Casinos May Affect W.Va. Tourism

Posted: 12:12 pm EST November 4, 2009Updated: 6:39 pm EST November 4, 2009

One day after Ohio voters approved building casinos in the state, officials at Wheeling Island Casino said they will continue to market to customers in cities like Cleveland and Columbus.

Jim Simms, president of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino & Racetrack, said it could take years before casinos are built in Ohio's four largest cities.

Simms also said there might be some challenges to the initiative, which might delay casinos starting up in the Buckeye State. He said he thinks some tax rates and licenses challenged could come up against the issue. So, moving forward with casinos could still take some time.


WEB EXTRA: Ohio Sen. Voinovich Statement On Casinos

Some Wheeling residents said having casinos in Ohio will affect the city.

"People come (to Wheeling) from Cleveland and that will have an effect on the (Wheeling) Downs here, which I really don't like that too well," said Mary Ellen Lurty, of Wheeling.

Others said they're torn between the benefits of new jobs at the Ohio casinos and taking tourism away from Wheeling.

Sims said they anticipate some challenges, but they will deal with the Ohio casino issue as it comes. Until then, Simms said Wheeling will continue reaching out to Ohio customers who have continued to spend money in West Virginia.

Kim Florence, also of Wheeling Island Casino, said the facility will continue to have a strong presence in those markets and not give up on the business that we have already established.

Florence said there have been so many changes in the local casino market over the past three years that officials have become flexible and can adapt to those changes.

In Hancock County, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort spokeswoman Tamara Pettit said, "We have dealt with the introduction of competition through the ramp-up of the rivers and Meadows casinos in Pennsylvania. This adds another competitor to an already competitive market. However, we will continue to offer the most diverse and best entertainment and customer service."

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