Associated Press Published

Casino Plans Outdoor Smoking Patio to Comply with Ban

Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort plans to build an outdoor smoking patio that would have video lottery slot machines and gaming tables.

A countywide ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces goes into effect July 1. The ban adopted by the Hancock County Board of Health includes restaurants, bars, gaming facilities, hotels, public parks and concert venues.

The Weirton Daily Times reports that Eldorado Gaming Inc. chief operating officer Joseph L. Billhimer unveiled plans for the smoking patio to the health board on Tuesday. Eldorado is Mountaineer’s parent company.

Billhimer says the patio would have an estimated 119 video lottery slot machines and six gaming tables. It would be located in a former gaming area that currently isn’t being used.