Promoting Responsible Gaming is a Core Value of Our Members' Gaming and Racing Facilities

We want all of our customers to have fun and to enjoy our properties safely. We are committed to a policy of responsible gaming at our gaming and parimutuel racing properties.  While we recognize that the overwhelming majority of our customers enjoy our various forms of gambling and non-gambling amenities responsibly, we also understand that there is a small proportion of the population who do not.

To protect them, and others affected by their behavior, WVGRA members companies have established a set of policies and guidelines modeled after the American Gaming Association’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming. The “Code” establishes minimum standards that address problem gambling, underage gambling, improper use of alcohol, responsible Marketing and Advertising and the prevention of unattended minors.

The WVGRA member companies and its properties use a variety of approaches to promote Responsible Gaming including employee training programs, customer awareness campaigns, self-exclusion and financial restriction programs, written procedures for recognizing and managing these issues, use of outside experts, and ongoing monitoring and review to gauge the effectiveness of these programs.

RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM

It is widely believed that 1-2% of all gamblers are compulsive and that most experience varying degrees of depression and problems in their lives. Participating in games of chance becomes a self-medicating distraction, providing only temporary relief from underlying problems associated with compulsive behavior.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

Review the following questions:

  • You have often gambled longer than you had planned.
  • You have often gambled until your last dollar was gone.
  • Thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep.
  • You have used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid.
  • You have made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.
  • You have broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling.
  • You have borrowed money to finance your gambling.
  • You have felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses.
  • You have been remorseful after gambling.
  • You have gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations.

If you or someone you know answers yes to any of these questions, consider seeking professional help or advice by calling the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia at 1-800-426-2537

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?

Admit that you have a progressive illness that won't go away by itself. Thousands of people have received help through Gamblers Anonymous or other programs designed specifically for people with gambling problems. 

CONCERN FOR CHILDREN

The WVGRA member companies are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all of its guests, visitors and team member.  An important part of this commitment is to ensure that our patrons do not leave minors unattended either inside or outside of the facility.  WVGRA member companies post signage informing parents and guardians not to leave children unsupervised.   Employees are trained to be on the lookout for any unattended children and to report any such children to our security department while keeping an eye on the child until security arrives on the scene.

PREVENTION OF UNDERAGE GAMBLING/ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

All WVGRA properties require persons to be aged 21 or older in order to gamble or to purchase/consume alcohol.  Employees are extensively trained to be on the lookout for persons under 21 trying to enter the gaming facility and security staff are trained to card anyone appearing to be under age 30.  Employees are authorized to ask any person gambling or purchasing/drinking alcohol for proof of age. We confiscate any false or altered IDs we come across and may inform outside law enforcement and gaming agents when we catch someone under 21.  We have zero tolerance for underage persons trying to circumvent the law.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Besides the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia , there are additional free confidential problem gambling help lines and provide on-line information on problem gambling, such as the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.