One of the big news stories here in West Virginia will finally be resolved in just a little more than a month from now.

For several years, the state’s four race tracks (dogs and horses) have been pushing hard for gambling expansion inside their facilities.  Right now, video lottery and slots are available, but the owners really want to add table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette to the mix.

Our state legislature has been dealing (or, more appropriately, NOT dealing) with this for a long time.  The bill kept dying a slow death in committee — until this year.

In June, voters in the four race track counties will decide, by local referendum, whether to permit the expanded games in their back yards.  And the track owners have bet the ranch that voters will approve.

It’s not exactly Las Vegas Luxury Condos,  but the tracks and adjacent casinos have really built up a lot.  Swanky hotels, spas, concert arenas, gourmet restaurants — all are in place, and as soon as voters say “Yea,” the extra rooms with the table games will spring up as well.  Local colleges stand at the ready to teach dealers, and the job applications are already printed.  This industry is, by definition, a big gamble.  It’s one the track owners hope doesn’t come up snake eyes.