City expected to limit video lottery parlors

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005 | 9:32 a.m.

WHEELING, W.Va. -- City Council is expected to act today on an ordinance that would curb the growth of limited video lottery parlors in the Northern Panhandle city.

The proposed ordinance says that establishments holding an Alcohol Beverage Control Administration license, which is required to operate video gambling machines, must be at least 1,000 feet apart. Bars that offer the games would be prohibited in residential zones.

Also, such businesses could not be located within 1,000 feet of a school, church or city-owned park. Exceptions include downtown and industrial districts and "in an area or upon property identified and approved by city council as a development or redevelop site."

Existing businesses would be considered a nonconforming use if the ordinance is adopted.

An Associated Press review of state Lottery Commission records shows the Northern Panhandle has the highest concentration of vide lottery parlors in the state.

Ohio County has 127 video lottery licensed bars, restaurants or fraternal organizations, which operate 573 machines. According to commission records, Ohio County players spent about $62.9 million on the games during the fiscal year that ended June 30.