Expansion, poker at Tri-State delayed

Charleston, West Virginia -- Difficulty finding teachers, timing of fees slows casino

Potential poker players — and dealers — at Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center won’t be able to lay their cards on the table until late next year.

“You aren’t looking at any gaming at Tri-State until probably fall,” racetrack owner Dan Atkins said Monday.

Officials at the Nitro racetrack had hoped to have poker up and running around the beginning of the year. In August, Kanawha County voters approved adding poker and other casino games at Tri-State.

In October, racetrack officials hosted a job fair that included registration for poker schools to train dealers for new poker tables at the racetrack. The classes were to be taught at the West Virginia State University Community and Technical College.

Dozens of people paid $350 each to pre-register for the classes, which were expected to begin in November or December.

However, Atkins said Monday the classes probably won’t be held until June or July. “We’re going to be refunding and rescheduling,” he said.

Tri-State General Manager Cathy Brackbill said she met with community college staff members recently and recommended they refund the money to people who already had registered for the dealer schools. Letters were to be sent out to those who signed up for the classes, offering the refunds and telling them they’ll be notified when the poker schools are rescheduled.

Racetrack officials said delays in getting equipment and finding certified instructors to teach the schools pushed back the poker classes.

However, part of the reason for the delay also might be financial.

Under state law, racetracks that expand their facilities to include casino-style gambling must pay a $1.5 million licensing fee the first year and $2.5 million a year after that.

Voters in Hancock and Ohio counties approved table gaming in June, and racetracks in those counties already are operating poker games.

However, Kanawha County voters didn’t approve casino gambling until August, setting Tri-State’s plans back by two months.

If Tri-State’s owners rush through poker schools and poker tables now, they’ll pay $1.5 million in licensing fees for just a few months of poker revenue, and will have to pay another $2.5 million in July. Waiting to start poker games until the beginning of the next fiscal year in July will save Tri-State $2.5 million.

Track owners say they’re still committed to a $250 million expansion project at Tri-State. Track owners plan to build a 250-room hotel, entertainment complex and conference center in addition to adding casino games.

Atkins said major construction is expected to begin in March. “Right after the first of the year,” he said, “I’m going to be up there [at Tri-State] quite frequently, working with the architect and trying to figure out how to proceed.”

To contact staff writer Rusty Marks, use e-mail or call 348-1215

News Added: 18 December, 2007

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