GAMBLING W.Va. casinos: We're ready for Pa.

Racetrack executives say they're not worried about the competition.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- The three West Virginia racetrack casinos near Pennsylvania's borders have been preparing for slot-machine competition for years, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to create destination resorts that executives say will withstand the arrival of new gambling parlors for at least a few years.
On Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell signed legislation allowing 61,000 slot machines at 14 sites across his state, from racetracks to free-standing gambling parlors. That proliferation, second only to Nevada, would finance $1 billion in property-tax cuts.
West Virginia has long been weighing the impact. Gross sales from the state's four racetracks -- projected to be $748 million this year -- could drop to $700 million in fiscal 2004-05, the Lottery Commission estimates.
But track executives are not worried about the big picture. Yet.
Professing confidence
Geoff Andres, president and general manager of Wheeling Island Racetrack & amp; Gaming Center, is confident his track's 65-year tradition of growth will continue.
"No one can truly foresee the impact to our facility, employees, city or state, but I can tell you we recently invested $68 million into the expansion of our facility and will stand head-to-head with any Pennsylvania casino," Andres said Monday.
Besides 2,400 slots, Wheeling Island offers a 151-room hotel, several restaurants and a showroom with nationally known entertainers.
"There is no doubt that Wheeling Island's business will be impacted by additional competition," Andres said, "but like any other business that faces this situation, we will just have to work harder to deliver a great experience for our guests."
Mountaineer Racetrack & amp; Gaming Resort in Chester is positioned to compete on multiple fronts.
The company has already built a convention center, spa, hotel, fine restaurants, and concert and fight venues. "And we're only 50 percent through the plan," spokeswoman Tamara Pettit said.
"We have something to offer beyond gaming," she said. "At this point, there is nothing to compare to us."
Piece of action
MTR Gaming, the track's parent, also has a piece of the Pennsylvania action with a license to build Presque Isle Downs near Erie, Pa. And President Ted Arneault said MTR will compete to run a casino in downtown Pittsburgh, designated to receive slots under Pennsylvania's new law.
Arneault said it will likely take as long as 18 months for Pennsylvania to get gambling activity under way, based on the experiences of New York and Louisiana, and as many as five venues could eventually attract Mountaineer patrons.
"I think we're going to be able to compete," he said, "but there will be an effect."
About 35 percent of Mountaineer's gamblers come from Pennsylvania. The majority, 57 percent, come from Ohio.
The Charles Town Races & amp; Slots in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle also stands to share any success in Pennsylvania. The track is owned by Penn National Gaming Inc. of Wyomissing, Pa., which owns two racetracks and 11 off-track betting parlors in that state.
Jim Buchanan, senior vice president for government and public affairs president, said last week it would take years to build a resort like Charles Town, which has Vegas-style decor unrivaled in West Virginia, as well as eateries, lounges and up to 4,500 slots.
Penn National has spent more than $200 million on Charles Town since 1997 and is embarking on another $25 million expansion this year.
"We have a lot of positives working for us here," Buchanan told The Journal in Martinsburg.