Commission refuses request for casino dealer regulations

Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 | 9:35 a.m.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Weston businessman has asked the West Virginia Lottery Commission to develop regulations for casino table game dealers.

Robert Sommerville, who recently incorporated the West Virginia School of Dealing, said he plans to open schools to train dealers for table games at the state's four racetracks as well as for a proposed casino/resort hotel in the former Weston Hospital.

"At this time, we don't feel it is appropriate to take action, since we don't have a facility of that nature," Lottery Director John Musgrave said at Tuesday's Lottery Commission meeting. "Once we do, we will certainly take your recommendations into consideration."

On Nov. 2, Lewis County voters approved a referendum to authorize a casino in the former psychiatric hospital. The Lottery Commission has authority to license employees at such gaming facilities.

The project still has to secure financing to convert the Civil War-era hospital into a luxury resort hotel with at least 500 guest rooms.

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