§29-25-1. Authorization of limited gaming facility; findings; intent.

(a) Operation of West Virginia Lottery table games. -- Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the operation of West Virginia Lottery games permitted by this article and the related operation of a gaming facility and ancillary activities is not unlawful when conducted under the terms specified in this article and article twenty-two-c of this chapter.

(b) Legislative findings. -- The Legislature finds and declares that the tourism industry plays a critical role in the economy of this state and that a substantial state interest exists in protecting that industry. It further finds and declares that the authorization of the operation of a gaming facility at no more than one well-established historic resort hotel in this state as provided in this article will serve to protect and enhance the tourism industry, and indirectly other segments of the economy of this state, by providing a resort hotel amenity which is becoming increasingly important to many actual and potential resort hotel patrons.

The Legislature finds and declares that video lottery operations pursuant to section twenty-eight of this article and the operation of the other West Virginia Lottery table games permitted by this article constitute the operation of lotteries within the purview of section thirty-six, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia.

(c) Legislative intent. -- It is the intent of the Legislature in the enactment of this article to promote tourism and year-round employment in this state. It is expressly not the intent of the Legislature to promote gaming. As a consequence, it is the intent of the Legislature to allow limited gaming as authorized by this article and article twenty-two-c of this chapter with all moneys gained from the operation of the gaming facility, other than those necessary to reimburse reasonable costs of operation, to inure to the benefit of the state. Further, it is the intent of the Legislature that amendments made to this article during the 2009 regular session will establish appropriate conformity between the operations of video lottery and West Virginia Lottery table games at the licensed gaming facility under this article and the operations of video lottery and table games at the pari-mutuel racetracks licensed under articles twenty-two-a and twenty-two-c of this chapter.