Million increase in revenues seen at West Virginia casinos

Blackjack, Caribbean Stud and Big Six propelled Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort earn total gambling revenues of $455.1 million in 2008 -- an increase of nearly $60 million in one year.

That is $56.4 million more than the $398.7 million the two tracks earned for the prior year.

According to Jim Simms, president and general manager of the Wheeling Island track, the popularity of table gambling at his facility drove the earnings. His company is preparing to face increasing competition from Pennsylvania casinos in 2009.

Since last January, the Wheeling track has earned $195.1 million from slots and table gambling, whilst Mountaineer earned $260 million from slots and table gambling.

Counting just slot machine revenue, Wheeling Island earned $159.5 million in 2008, while Mountaineer grossed $208 million.

Officials with Wheeling Island and Mountaineer said they needed to see the table gambling measures approved to offset possible huge losses of revenue when Pennsylvania slots went online, as most slots customers came from Pennsylvania.

Officials said table gambling allowed the tracks to overcome the losses of slot machine revenue and establish gains in overall revenue. Wheeling Island's total revenue for 2008 is $22.4 million more than 2007, while Mountaineer's increased by $34 million.

The two tracks have combined to earn $1,207,668 from Big Six, $28,346,183 from blackjack, $627,213 from Caribbean Stud, $16,890,575 from craps, $1,734,791 from four card poker, $2,988,547 from let it ride, $467,246 from pai gow, $15,384,010 from poker, $898,101 from poker tournaments, $8,648,393 from roulette, $8,041,452 from three card poker, $2,245,159 from Texas hold 'em and $62,646 from mini bac.

Simms said the Wheeling track profited from the introduction of table gambling.

"Table gambling has created a great deal of excitement here in Wheeling. ... We have definitely benefited," he said.

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Indian tribes in Texas move to reopen casinos

Rep. Norma Chavez, (D-El Paso)  drafted a bill that would allow the Tigua tribe in El Paso and the Alabama-Coushatta tribe near Livingston to reopen casinos that were closed by court order when the state voiced opposition to them. The tribes say they need the money generated from gambling for health care, education and other tribal necessities.

"We have seen success," said Carlos Hisa, lieutenant governor for the Tigua tribe, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo of El Paso.  "Hopefully we can get it done this year."

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He's been at the Capitol for earlier legislative sessions to ask that the tribe be allowed to resume its revenue-producing poker and bingo.
Chavez produced similar legislation two years ago, but that bill failed on a rare tie vote of 66-66 in the Texas House. This time, the House is more closely divided with a 76-74 Republican majority and possibly more votes for Indian casino legislation, Chavez said.

The prospects in the Senate are less clear, and Republican Gov. Rick Perry.  Texas' social conservative Republicans — a reliable voting block  — has opposed gambling legislation. Perry is poised to fight the more moderate U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary.

Chavez said she hopes the Tiguas don't get caught in "political crossfire" over gambling.

The tribes argue that because Texas created a state-run lottery it opened the door for Indian casino gambling on federally recognized tribal lands.

The Tiguas operated the Speaking Rock Casino from 1993-2001. The tribe produced $60 million annually for the tribe's members. The Alabama-Coushatta ran their East Texas casino for only nine months before it was closed in 2002, generating $1 million a month.

Currently the Kickapoo tribe in Eagle Pass is the only one of the three Texas tribes operating a casino. It is governed by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act — not the more restrictive Restoration Act that applies to the Alabama-Coushatta and Tiguas — according to the Texas Attorney General.

Sens. Rodney Ellis  (D-Houston) and John Carona (R-Dallas) are expected to soon proposed another large casino gambling bill that would allow non-Indian destination casinos to operate in certain parts of the state. Indian casinos are expected to be covered in that bill again as well. The same legislation failed in 2007.

Members of the El Paso legislative delegation say they hope the omnibus casino bill is viewed as a possible revenue generator for the state. Chavez said she and the Tiguas will support all bills that allow for the reopening of the tribe's casino. Tigua tribal members and others from El Paso spent Tuesday meeting with newly appointed legislative committee chair.

Suzii Paynter, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, said a measure of the bill could allow other Indian tribes besides the three with reservations in Texas to enter the state and try to set up casinos based on their historical ties to Texas.

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What makes for a great Blackjack Player?

Become a better blackjack player, knowing the basic rules and wich strategies can help you win more often. Don't give up when times get tough, you should expect to lose. Hope you get experience and eventually reach all your goals.Are you interested in becoming a better blackjack player? No matter if you play online or off, your answer is probably yes. In order to make this happen, you need to know what traits the best blackjack players share.
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Not all great blackjack players are exactly the same. Do what you feel is best, and see where it gets you. If you know the rules, choose the right way of playing, and stick with the game even when losing, you will eventually reach all of your goals. And above all else, have fun!

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