BCT Editorial – 2/23/07

This page was last updated on February 24, 2007.

Upping the ante; Editorial; Beaver County Times; February 23, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“The gambling equivalent of the Cold War arms race has started between Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“The Associated Press reported legislation that would allow table games at four horse racing tracks in West Virginia, including nearby Mountaineer Park, cleared the House of Delegates 55-42.

“If the Senate goes along with the measure and voters in the four counties where the tracks are located give their OK, tracks could offer blackjack, roulette and similar games in addition to slot machines and betting on the ponies.

“The reason West Virginia is considering expanding gambling is Pennsylvania’s big-time entry into slots. Some Mountaineer State officials believe they have to increase gambling opportunities to offset Pennsylvania’s bid for their gambling dollars.

“Keep this in mind when Pennsylvania officials talk about all the revenue slot machines are going to bring in. What West Virginia does is going to have an impact on those projections.

“If West Virginia does expand legalized gambling, don’t be surprised if Pennsylvania doesn’t call its bet and up the ante.

“Whether the two states like it or not, they’re locked in a gambling race that can only spiral upward.”

[RWC] Forgive me for repeating what I wrote in my critique of the editorial entitled “Hooked.”

“Really, do Times editorial writers pay attention to current events at all? At least as far back as February 2005, State Reps. Bill DeWeese (D-50) and Mike Veon (D-14) issued a press release entitled ‘Expanded gaming focus of DeWeese/Veon bill.’”