Because I have been in Washington attending my brother’s wedding, I’ve had no chance to write. Until I get back in the saddle, here’s an exclusive article by Delegate Patrick Lane of Kanawha County.

Much is being made this session about table games. Republicans have led the fight over the last three years to kill the table games bill, but this year is different. Republicans are still leading the charge, but House leadership apparently is not afraid to run the bill. With this in mind, I am please to be given this opportunity to explain why table games is bad for West Virginia families by separating the myths from the facts.

Myth 1: We already have gambling in WV so let’s add table games.

Fact: Article 6 Section 36 of the WV Constitution allows only lotteries that are owned, operated, regulated and controlled by the State. A lottery has been defined in case law to be any scheme where a consideration is given for a prize or nothing and the outcome is predominantly determined by chance. A person might be a great blackjack or poker player, but you cannot argue that winning is determined by the hand you are dealt. And games such as roulette an craps are purely chance. Therefore, table games are determined predominantly by chance and are lotteries.

With table games being a lottery, it must be owned operated regulated and controlled by the State. Regulated and controlled is easy enough, but how does the state own and operate the table games. Video lottery was found to be owned and operated by the state because the state owns the logic or magic boards and the software program that is the heart of the machines. Operation was met because the machines are connected to a central computer which allows the state to monitor and shut down at any time. So the question becomes how does the state own and operate table games? Will we buy all the tables? Will we hire the dealers and make them state employees? There simply is no logistical way that the state can own and operate table games.

And without meeting the test, the games are unconstitutional and require a vote of the people on a constitutional amendment.

Myth 2: Table games will create good paying jobs.

Fact: The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average gaming dealer makes only $16,040 per year and those in the top 10% of wage earners only make around $22,000 per year. In fact, retail cashiers at Wal-Mart and the mall make an average of $17,300 per year. Moreover, the recently complete Marshall study shows that gambling jobs actually cause other jobs in the area to dry up and disappear causing a net loss of jobs or a break even at best.

Myth 3: The state needs table games money because neighboring states are starting their slots and taking our gambling money.

Fact: Our state Legislature is a test market for neighboring states. The gambling industry saw WV struggling with budget issues and said “Hey we’ll give you free money if you give us gambling.” And instead of making the changes to revitalize our economy, the Legislature took the lazy way out and said “Okay!”

Think about it, if you could sell your product to 1.8 million people or 14.5 million people, which one would you sell it to?

The legislature in PA is already considering a bill to legalize table games. By the gambling industry’s own admission, table games will only give WV 4 - 10 years of money because they are pushing it in border states.

By passing table games we are really creating a bigger hole in the budget in a few years than we have to deal with now.

Myth 4: Table games are free money so let’s take it while we can.

Fact: Table games and gambling in general are not free money by any stretch of the imagination. Divorce doubles in an area where casinos operate. Crime goes up roughly 10%. Bankruptcies skyrocket. Table games will generate revenue but the Marshall study confirms that for every $1 gambling generates it costs the state $1.90. It is actually a net loss of income to have gambling in a community.

Let me leave you with this thought. Most parents hope their children grow up with a bright future to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, etc. But apparently the highest and best hope the WV Legislature has for our children is that they grow up to be blackjack dealers. Call your Delegate and tell him or her that your child is more than blackjack dealer.