Slots In Pennsylvania Will Draw Customers From Valley

Racetracks around Pennsylvania are hailing Wednesday decision as a big win, and they are already moving foreword with their plans. Which we're told will hurt business here in the valley. Sixty percent of Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Resort customers drive past an area known as the Meadows, its home to a racetrack of the same name. But with the approval of slot machines in Pennsylvania, soon it will be much more. "With any gambling venue what you look at is the immediate area," said David La Torre, spokesman for the Meadows. "These facilities are more local in their focus and in their draw." La Torre said the bulk of their customers will come from a 50-mile radius around the Meadows, which includes Wheeling and Steubenville. He said the rest of their customers will likely come from a 100-mile radius around the racetrack, and that includes the entire Ohio Valley. They aren't wasting any time getting up and running, either. The Meadows hopes to have 1,800 slots in place by April; May at the latest. Over the next two years they plan to build a 250,000 square foot, two story building. With all this development just off to the east of Wheeling Island, it's expected to hurt business in the valley. Local lawmakers say it's time to vote on table gaming. Once and for all, whether the issue is defeated or not, I think the issue needs to be voted on," said Gil While, (R) West Virginia. Delegate White also said it's unfortunate that the legislature hasn't made any progress on table gaming yet, and says that will hurt the states bottom line. Meanwhile the two racetracks here in West Virginia have made it clear they will have to cut jobs if something isn't done soon.

John Paul, NEWS9