Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006

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West Virginia clubs want table games

By Sarah Polson

The West Virginia Legislature is expected to begin consideration of allowing table games at racetracks during its regular session next month.

Fraternal clubs such as the Elks, Moose and other lodges are throwing their hats in the ring as well, hoping to be able to host Texas Hold'em poker and other games.

The clubs donate a lot of their proceeds to charities, which could be substantially increased by adding table games.

Jesse Bane, spokesman for the West Virginia Association of Club Owners and Fraternal Service, said that being able to provide table games would also draw a younger crowd to the struggling organizations. Fraternal clubs have seen memberships dropping over the years.

So far, the legislature hasn't put forth a new bill that would make that a possibility for fraternal organizations. The bill already proposed for the racetracks, however, could be amended to include them as well.

A change could make it harder to get the bill passed, though.

Currently, the bill is a local option bill where voters in the four counties with racetracks would decide whether to allow table games. If the fraternal clubs are added, it would have to become a statewide vote on the issue.

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