Removing sensible limits

The Casino Industry is ever vigilant in ways to suck more money from its patrons' pockets, consequences be damned.

Waving increased revenues in front of the faces of cash-strapped legislators is always a technique employed to justify removing sensible controls.


Lawmakers may consider legislation to allow larger dollar amounts at slot machines.

CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia gaming industry has petitioned lawmakers to ease slot restrictions at the four casinos in the Mountain State.
Because of current restrictions, the state's casinos only allow a maximum of $20 to be played at slot machines.

Under a new gaming proposal, casinos would allow larger plays at slot machines to compete with states like Ohio and Pennsylvania that allow larger dollar amounts.

"I guess from a gamblers' perspective that's an important thing rather than constantly feeding the money in and it’s just an ease issue and to some gamblers that important," said Delegate Ryan Ferns, D-Ohio.

The gaming industry reports that an extra $20 million dollar in state revenue would be added with these changes.

But Delegate Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, thinks any movement on the current laws would only fuel peoples' gambling addictions.

"The (slot machines) are meant to be entertainment and to the extent that we are just allowing big dollar amounts to flow through the machines in a quicker manner, I don't see the public policy value in that," he said.