West Virginia has four pari-mutuel facilities that feature video lottery terminals. The VLT's are the same as regular video gaming devices but are called lottery terminals because they are regulated by the state's lottery commission which receives a share of each machine's revenue.

The maximum allowable bet on a machine is $2 and there is no limit on the prize payouts. Most of the gaming machines pay out coins or tokens, but there are also some machines which will only print out a receipt which must be taken to a cashier.

West Virginia law requires that VLT's return a minimum of 80% to a maximum of 95%. VLT games include: slots, blackjack, keno and numerous versions of poker. The minimum gambling age is 18.

For the one-year period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2004 the average return on VLT's was: 91.65% at Tri-State Park, 91.20% at Wheeling Island, 91.14% at Mountaineer Park and 90.74% at Charles Town Races.

West Virginia law also allows for bars, as well as restaurants that serve alcohol, to have up to five VLT's. Fraternal organizations are also allowed to have up to 10 VLT's. All of these machines are identical to the machines found at the racetracks, except they only print out tickets and do not pay out in cash.

For West Virginia tourism information call (800) 225-5982 or go to: www.callwva.com.

Charles Town Races & Slots
P.O. Box 551
Charles Town, West Virginia 25414
(304) 725-7001
Website: www.ctownraces.com
Map: #4 (320 miles N.E. of Charleston, on the Virginnia border)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 795-7001
Restaurants: 9
Buffets: L-$8.95 (Sat)/$8.95 (Sun)  D-$14.95 (Fri/Sat Only)
Valet Parking: $3
Hours: 7am-4:00am Daily
Overnight RV Parking: Free (must be a customer of the casino)/RV Dump: No
Special Features: Live horse racing Wed-Sun. Daily simulcasting of horse and dog racing. Food court with five fast-food outlets.

Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort
State Route #2
Chester, West Virginia 26034
(304) 387-2400
Website: www.mtrgaming.com
Map: #1 (35 miles N. of Wheeling)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 804-0468
Room Reservations: (800) 489-8192
Rooms: 337  Price Range: $75-$119
Suites: 22  Price Range: $155-$185
Restaurants: 8
Buffets: D-$12.95
Valet Parking: $5
Hours: 7am-4am Daily
Overnight RV Parking: Free (must park by water tower)/RV Dump: No
Special Features: 18-hole golf course. Health spa and fitness center. Live horse racing Thu-Mon. Daily simulcasting of horse and dog racing.

Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center
1 Greyhound Drive
Cross Lanes, West Virginia 25313
(304) 776-1000
Map: #3 (10 miles N.W. of Charleston)

Toll-Free Number: (800) 224-9683
Restaurants: 2
Valet Parking: $3
Hours: 11am-3am Daily
Casino Size: 30,000 Square Feet
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Special Features: Live dog racing Wed-Mon. Daily simulcasting of horse and dog racing.

Wheeling Island
Racetrack & Gaming Center
1 S. Stone Street
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
(304) 232-5050
Website: www.wheelingdowns.com
Map: #2

Toll-Free Number: (877) 946-4373
Room Reservations: (877) 943-3546
Rooms: 151  Price Range: $95-$139
Suites: 9  Price Range: $135-$195
Restaurants: 5
Buffets: L-$10.95  D-$10.95/$14.95 (Fri/Sat)
Valet Parking: $3
Hours: 9am-3am/10am-3am (Sun)
Casino Size: 50,000 Square Feet
Overnight RV Parking: No
Senior Discount: Various on Wed if 55+
Special Features: Live dog racing Wed-Mon. Daily simulcasting of horse and dog racing.