LV gambling company sues West Virginia slot operator

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001 | 10:50 a.m.

Showboat Development Co., a subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas, is fighting a former partner and a Wyomissing, Pa.-based race track wagering company over the right to operate a Charles Town, W.Va., casino.

Showboat, which said it agreed in 1995 to develop a casino at the Charles Town Race Track and Shenandoah Downs with Bryant Development Co., sued the company and its three directors, Edward Parker, William Bryant and James Arthur Reeder; and Penn National Gaming Inc. in Clark County District Court.

The suit said the defendants violated the agreement when Bryant failed to honor Showboat's right of first refusal -- which allegedly was triggered when Bryant sold its interest in the casino to Penn National.

The suit said Bryant and Penn National, to the exclusion of Showboat, are now operating Charles Town Race Track, renamed Charles Town Races & Slots, with more than 1,500 slot machines and other casino-style machines.

The defendants could not be reached for comment.