The Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center in Nitro, West Virginia has added several games to their gaming center in the hopes of providing more options for players. Despite the additions, many are worried that the economy problems may have an effect on people placing bets.

Almost two months ago the gaming center added poker to their line up. The casino has now added three card poker as well. Three card poker is a poker based game and played as two separate games called Pairplus and ante-and-play. Three card poker has been around for a long time in other cultures but has now taken new shape in America. The gaming center also added Blackjack, Four Card Poker, Let it ride, Craps and roulette.

The Director of the Center’s Casino Operations, Richard Tesler, stated: “The gaming industry has been hit just like every other small business in the area. There’s not as much disposable cash for people to spend on entertainment.” Although many have concerns, the West Virginia lottery officials have stated that statewide, table games have made $1.7 million in one week and sales do not seem to be slowing.

"The video lottery side at race tracks may be down a bit maybe as much as five-percent for the first three months compared to last year but that could be competition from Pennsylvania as well as the economy and gas prices," said Nancy Bulla, a spokesperson for the West Virginia Lottery.

Some also believe that this may be a time when people resort to desperate measures to make money. Steve Burton, the Director of Problem Gamblers Help Network in West Virginia, says that some people may think they can make money by playing the new games when in fact they may just lose money.

There are many different sides to this dilemma but all point to one major factor, the economy. When the economy is better then everyone should be able to earn, spend and save as they normally would.



- 2008-10-07