Things have been quiet in West Virginia lately, but not for long. The Senate Finance Committee recently passed a bill approving a sixth casino in the state. This casino would be built close to the Highlands Golf Club in Franklin, W.Va., which borders Virginia.
The casino must be built under certain circumstances, however. The developers are to submit plans of at least 1,000 homes and a hotel in the area with at least 150 rooms. Also, the cost of the project must be $60 million and the development must be on at least 1,000 adjoining acres and will require recreational areas. The project would create hundreds of new jobs.
Another bill to decrease fees for Wheeling Casino and others with racetracks from $2.5 million per year to $1.5 million stalled in committee.
• Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County, Penn., will open in July. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the casino will be charging a $10 cover fee. Customers of the casino will have the option of buying a $45 annual membership. The casino is expected to have 28 table games, plus slot machines.
— Mike Owens is the Ante Up Ambassador for Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter @Holdemag and check out his blog at CheckRaze.com. He can be reached at anteupowens@gmail.com.
