Charles Town WV Agrees on Slots- Part 1
This past week an initiative to allow 5,000 slot machines into the Charles Town Races and Slots facility, in Charles Town, West Virginia, passed. Voters came together to agree and let the slots build up the casino. The main impetus for the positive votes was the proposed job creation of 500 various employment opportunities and the positive effects that has on the community as a whole.
When polls closed track officials were overjoyed to announce the victory. The vote for the slot machines was 6,279 to 4,343. It’s interesting that the decision was not split down the middle as it has been with many other votes throughout the country. It’s not uncommon to have a 51/49% vote on the issue of slots. Many other states are looking to bring slot machines in to increase revenue-generating activities within the state. It’s one of the most lucrative ways state legislators have of funding improvements, education and any other budget issue that lacks funding due to the recession and its aftermath.
John Finamore, Senior VP of Charles Town Races and Slots, said, “We are thrilled. We are relieved. And come Monday, we are going to start delivering on our promises. I can’t wait to start filling those $45,000 jobs we promised.” In terms of voting, both sides of the slots issue campaigned hard for people to come out and voice their opinion. Their campaigning worked as 33,000 registered voters were reached via their extensive advertising plan. Voters were inundated with the issue via billboards, radio advertising, TV advertising, Facebook, personal phone calls and newspaper ads. The issue was such a hefty one that huge budgets were used to bring the two opinions to the public. Spokespeople and city officials hashed it out in the public prior to the vote.
It was just two years ago that a vote was cast where voters decided against the slot machine addition. They were not in favor of bringing the change to the racetrack. Industry experts are citing the change in the economy as a major motivator for people to want slot machines to be used in the market. Plus, those for the issue were promoting job creation hard to the masses.
Part two coming next.
Tags: Charles Town, race track, racino, vote
