House Votes to End Racetrack Modernization Fund

Members of the House have approved a bill that would halt the state-funded updates casino games.
 

 
House Bill 4271 ends discretionary transfers to the Licensed Racetrack Modernization Fund. Proposed on behalf of Governor Tomblin, the bill would end the program that was set to expire in 2020 four years early — putting $9 million a year back into the general revenue budget.
 

 
Some Delegates expressed concerns on the floor that without the Licensed Racetrack Modernization Fund, the state’s four racetrack casinos won’t be able to stay competitive with out-of-state businesses, but the bill passed on a 62 to 37 vote.
 

 
The Senate will still have to take up the measure.