Is Pendleton casino bill a longshot?

A freshman member of the House of Delegates says he’s optimistic about a gambling bill that would impact his home county.
Del. Isaac Sponaugle, D-Pendleton, said Monday morning on MetroNews Talkline the Pendleton County casino bill has the bipartisan support possible to pass the House.

“I’m optimistic. We’ve got momentum,” he said. “This bill has been totally bipartisan from the first day. It’s moving.”

The measure, which would give Pendleton County residents an option to vote for or against a casino, passed the House Judiciary Committee last Friday. It goes next to the House Finance Committee. It previously passed the full Senate.

A land development company is working with a casino company, Full House, to develop a resort on Fisher Mountain near Franklin. The plans are for housing, a resort and casino.

Del. Sponaugle and other supporters say the county needs economic development and a boost in population. He says customers from the casino would come from Virginia.

“It’s the only surrounding state that has not legalized gaming and it’s my understanding they aren’t anywhere close to doing so in the near future,” the delegate said.

The resort would be about six miles from Franklin, which is 41 miles from Harrisonburg, Va. and Interstate 81. Sponaugle says from there major population centers can be reached.

“You got Richmond. You got Charlottesville, which is about an hour and 45-minutes away. You have Roanoke, Virginia. You have Waynesboro. That is their (the developers) key market place,” Del. Sponaugle said.

The bill would have to get out of the House Finance Committee by Wed. if it’s going to pass the full House by the end of the regular session Saturday night.