LEWIS VOTERS SUPPORT GAMBLING CASINO AT OLD STATE HOSPITAL

(11/04/2004)
After a push by an anti-gambling group, the voters of Lewis County overwhelmingly approved a referendum that would allow gambling at the old Weston State Hospital.

Citizens Against Gambling Expansion (CAGE) tried to convince voters not to approve the referendum. The group said adding gambling to Lewis County is inviting trouble to their sleepy community.

But voters disagreed by a 2 to 1 margin.

Now the county can take the next step toward approving gaming at the historic facility with a proposed resort.

Investors want to turn the 150-year-old building into a resort with a golf course, spa and gaming.

The renovation and construction of a resort would cost $300-million dollars alone, with none of it being taxpayer money.

Mayor Jon Tucci says gaming at the resort is still not a given with lots of remaining hurdles.