Timing Important On Table Gambling

News-Register There doesn't seem to be much doubt that the issue of table gambling will be taken up by the West Virginia Legislature. But timing and what type of bill to consider have become key questions in Charleston. Gov. Bob Wise reportedly is considering calling a special session of the Legislature to discuss table gambling at the state's four racetracks, in Ohio, Hancock, Kanawha and Jefferson counties. Supporters of a special session say that action on table gambling is needed as soon as possible, because of Pennsylvania's approval earlier this year of video gambling. That will cut sharply into the number of gamblers visiting West Virginia - particularly in our area. Table gambling would give racetracks a new edge over Pennsylvania. Proponents of a special session worry that table gambling would not be acted upon if discussion of it is delayed until the regular session early next year. That certainly is a point to consider, in view of the several other important items of business on lawmakers' plates for the regular session. But there is more to the table gambling issue than merely whether legislators will go along with it. Critical questions - including the percentage of the "take" given to local and state governments - also must be addressed. That probably will require more than a special session. Legislators, after all, are not known for deliberating much during special sessions; they tend to want to vote and go home. That contrast - between a quick-and-dirty, so to speak, special session and more expansive debate during the regular session - argues against a special session. Another important question on table gambling is whether all state voters, or merely those in the four counties with racetracks that could host full-blown casinos, would be allowed to vote on the issue. Most thoughtful state leaders seem to favor the county option approach, whereby voters in Ohio, Hancock, Kanawha and Jefferson counties would be asked to approve or reject table gambling in our own backyards. That ought to be the approach taken by legislators. Clearly, voters in counties most directly affected by table gambling should have control over our own fates. Putting the question to a statewide vote simply doesn't make sense. Legislators should debate the issue of allowing the four racetrack counties to decide whether to permit table gambling - but that debate needs to be without undue haste that could lead to mistakes.