W.Va. Lottery Update

WEATHERING COMPETITION: "Competition from video slots parlors in Pennsylvania continues to drag down West Virginia Lottery revenues — but not as severely as Lottery officials had feared," The Charleston Gazette reports.

Officials told lawmakers Wednesday that revenues from July through October "topped $510.4 million. That’s down $18.8 million, or 3.6 percent, from the same period last year," the article said.

CREDIT CARD ATMS? The Lottery Commission has ordered "Point of Banking Terminals" removed from video lottery parlors pending a review of the machines, MetroNews reports.

Officials are concerned that they are providing cash on credit to gamblers, rather than debiting existing accounts, which is not allowed.

The terminals' distributor, Tri-Com Merchant Services, says they are just like any other ATM.

"The current Limited Video Lottery Law does not allow ATMs in the gambling room where the machines are located, but they are allowed in other parts of the building," the MetroNews article said.

LOTTERY PARLOR CITED: The Intelligencer of Wheeling reports that an Ohio County magistrate has levied $360 in fines and costs against a high-profile video lottery parlor, Wheeling Island's Tropicana Lounge, for violating the county's anti-smoking ordinance.

Owner Jeannette Wakim testified that "she thought her business had been singled out because her husband, Chris, had been very vocal in opposing the regulation and because of his political ambitions. The former state delegate also has run for Congress," the article said.