(Nitro) Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center is expected to ask the Nitro City Council for some support in finding a way around Kanawha County’s extended smoking ban. While calling into Commission President Kent Carper’s weekly segment on 58 Live with Rick Johnson and Mike Agnello Monday, Mayor Rusty Casto tried to avoid telling Carper about a scheduled visit by track officials to the council meeting next week. Eventually, 58 Live host Rick Johnson asked Casto point blank what the track intended to do at the city’s next council meeting. “Are they going to maybe try to ... Jump to full article >>

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Representatives from the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center asked the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health to reconsider the county’s smoking ban at the racetrack, but health officials weren’t sympathetic. Dan Adkins, the racetrack’s vice president, asked the health board to allow a partial exemption for the “one-of-a-kind” establishment that would designate smoking and nonsmoking areas within the casino and gaming area. “We can handle smokers and nonsmokers. We have had total separation in the past and are asking for consideratio ... Jump to full article >>

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — Officials with Tri-State Racetrack and Casino were at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Board meeting Thursday asking for an exemption from the smoking ban. If that doesn’t work, officials say they will try to get an exemption by other means. Dan Adkins, vice-president of the racetrack’s parent company, told board members that Tri-State has lost $15 million. He says they track their customers and he can attribute $9 million of the loss to the smoking ban. Adkins asked board members to consider an exemption. He says they have the capability to create a s ... Jump to full article >>

CROSS LANES, W.Va.–While some are scoffing at Tri-State Racetrack’s claim that the smoking ban is to blame for deep revenue losses in a down economy, its declines have been significantly steeper than those of the state’s other major gambling operations. Tri-State has recorded the greatest percentage loss among the four large operations in this state. According to figures from the West Virginia Lottery, Tri-State is down $15 million in gross revenue from last fiscal year. That’s a 23 percent drop, from $65 million to $50 million. Tri-State is the smallest of the state ... Jump to full article >>

Michigan’s House of Representatives took another step toward making the state smoke-free by approving legislation to ban smoking in most public spaces. “Rep. Paul Scott, a leading proponent to make Michigan smoke-free, voted in favor of House Bill 4377. The measure bans smoking in public places, but exempts casino gaming floors, cigar bars and specialty tobacco stores. “Thirty-seven states currently have some form of smoking ban. “Although a smoking ban without exemptions is ideal, this measure is a vast improvement on current law and will make great strides to keep Mic ... Jump to full article >>