West Virginia Video Gambling Pays Government Bills
Some folk in West Virginia feel the state has allowed too many gambling machines, as over nine thousand licensed establishments carry video gambling. But figures show that the video lottery terminals have generated many millions for state and local governments, and any move to reduce the number is sure to meet substantial resistance.
According to figures in the Wheeling News-Register, gambling machines generated $27,000 just for the town of Wheeling's municipal government. Video gaming in the state grossed $411 million, funding all levels of government.
Politicians won't vote to cap, or worse yet lower, the number of gambling licenses issued, as long as the slots are paying for all the expenditures that fill political hearts with joy. And clearly there are people making the wheels spin at the video gaming locations who would be upset if anyone messed with their ability to play.
Further, licensees are also obviously profiting from the games, and any rollback of gambling would have to include the painful process of separating the proprietors into two groups, those who get to keep making money, and those who lose a highly profitable license. No state legislator wants to confront the second group.
Even though Governor Joe Manchin has stated he wants to reduce the number of gambling locations, it can be expected that, with as numerous and diverse a field of parties interested in keeping the status quo, gaming is safe as it is in West Virginia.
