Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 9, 1994 TAG: 9401090074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
The proposal faces strong opposition inside and outside the Legislature and one lawmaker even charges promoters are trying to buy the bill's passage.
Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio are considering legislation. Virginia Del. Jerrauld C. Jones, D-Norfolk, has launched a more sophisticated lobbying effort after reviving a riverboat gambling bill that was killed by last year's General Assembly.
In television, newspaper and radio advertisements, the West Virginia Riverboat Gaming Association promises 7,000 new jobs and nearly $300 million in business.
Judging by riverboat gaming in other states, the actual figures could be much more if the program envisioned is endorsed.
The advertising has been targeted at West Virginia's river cities, pushing the theme that riverboat gaming would provide a substantial economic boost to them.
The effort also included a suite at the Superdome before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, where lobbyist Steve Haid offered 2,000 guests a glimpse of the benefits of riverboat betting.
The West Virginia Riverboat Gaming Association hired Charles Ryan Associates of Charleston to lead its public relations. The Perry and Haid Group was hired to lobby for passage of the gambling bill.
Bill Perry said $625,000 was being invested in the effort.
John Brown, a vice president for Charles Ryan Associates, said riverboat gaming would bring in $288 million to the state in the first year and provide $50 million in state taxes.
The estimates are based on 20 riverboats, two at each of 10 locations on the state's major rivers, including the 277 miles of the Ohio River, Brown said.
However, opposition to the bill will be substantial in West Virginia.
Del. Nelson Sorah, D-Kanawha, who introduced legislation last year to have riverboat gambling legalized, said the association could face tough opposition because of a rash of scandals.
Several state legislators were convicted in federal court on charges of corruption stemming from an effort in the 1980s to legalize casino gambling on land.
More recently, two officials in Gov. Gaston Caperton's administration, former Lottery Director Butch Bryan and former Lottery Counsel Ed ReBrook, were convicted in federal court on corruption charges stemming from efforts to legalize video lottery statewide.
Caperton said he will not introduce or promote gaming legislation.
"I don't think the people of West Virginia want casino or riverboat gambling at this time," he said.
House Speaker Chuck Chambers, D-Cabell, and Senate President Keith Burdette, D-Wood, have said it has virtually no chance.
In addition, the state Council of Churches, which represents 15 denominations, unanimously voted to oppose the bill. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston also is opposed.
The Rev. James Kerr, executive director of the state Council of Churches, said the opposition was based partly on the Lottery's problems.
But Haid said the state should take notice because this is one of the rare times out-of-state investors have shown interest.
"It's a tremendous financial boon to the state," he said.
"Sooner or later, this industry is going to come to the Ohio Valley," Haid said.
by CNB