Gambling money funds a cornerstone of Bob Wise's campaign: Promise

Scholarships. The new program would pay the in-state tuition for students

with a "B" average or better in high school.

To pay for it, the Democrat wants to taxpayouts from

video poker machines, payouts that are now illegal outside of the

If Wise can't get the state Legislature to pass regulations on

video poker, he said he would move to enforce the laws against

payouts. State government should either legalize and regulate

gambling or strictly enforce laws against it, he said.

"Now we're in the worst of all worlds. We're not controlling where they

are and who's using them, or getting any taxes," Wise said. "We

Currently, the machines, commonly called "gray machines," are found in

taverns and some convenience stores. While billed as "for amusement only,"

the machines are widely used for gambling.

Wise may support legalizing gray machines, but gambling

interests in the state are putting their money on his Republican opponent,

Gov. Cecil Underwood. They gave Underwood's campaign more than $40,000 as

of the end of May. Wise has received $9,750, about one-quarter that

amount, according to the nonpartisan People's Election Reform Coalition,

which has assembled a database of campaign contributors and their

occupations. Gambling interests include people who own an interest in or

work for racetracks, "gray machine" distributors, or The Greenbrier, or

their immediate families.

Opponents of gambling questioned whether Wise's plan would take

money from low-income people who play video lottery and give it to

middle-income college students. Tom Burger works for the United Methodist

Church in West Virginia, which opposes using gambling money to fund even

worthwhile projects like college scholarships.

"This kind of gambling takes advantage of the poor anyway," Burger

who might be in a better position to fund their own education."

Wise said his scholarships would benefit low-income students as

well as wealthier ones, though he would be willing to think about basing

the Promise Scholarships on financial need as well as academic

Gambling money funds a cornerstone of Bob Wise's campaign: Promise

Scholarships. The new program would pay the in-state tuition for students

with a "B" average or better in high school.

To pay for it, the Democrat wants to taxpayouts from

video poker machines, payouts that are now illegal outside of the

If Wise can't get the state Legislature to pass regulations on

video poker, he said he would move to enforce the laws against

payouts. State government should either legalize and regulate

gambling or strictly enforce laws against it, he said.

"Now we're in the worst of all worlds. We're not controlling where they

are and who's using them, or getting any taxes," Wise said. "We

Currently, the machines, commonly called "gray machines," are found in

taverns and some convenience stores. While billed as "for amusement only,"

the machines are widely used for gambling.

Wise may support legalizing gray machines, but gambling

interests in the state are putting their money on his Republican opponent,

Gov. Cecil Underwood. They gave Underwood's campaign more than $40,000 as

of the end of May. Wise has received $9,750, about one-quarter that

amount, according to the nonpartisan People's Election Reform Coalition,

which has assembled a database of campaign contributors and their

occupations. Gambling interests include people who own an interest in or

work for racetracks, "gray machine" distributors, or The Greenbrier, or

their immediate families.

Opponents of gambling questioned whether Wise's plan would take

money from low-income people who play video lottery and give it to

middle-income college students. Tom Burger works for the United Methodist

Church in West Virginia, which opposes using gambling money to fund even

worthwhile projects like college scholarships.

"This kind of gambling takes advantage of the poor anyway," Burger

who might be in a better position to fund their own education."

Wise said his scholarships would benefit low-income students as

well as wealthier ones, though he would be willing to think about basing

the Promise Scholarships on financial need as well as academic

achievement. He also disputed whether low-income people are the majority

of video poker gamblers.

"My observation is that all economic groups are pushing the button,"

Wise said. "If I play this machine, at least I get one guaranteed

payout."

But the Rev. Nathan Wilson disagrees with that observation. Wilson is

an anti-gambling activist and director of the West Virginia Council of

Churches.

"Every study I've read says low-income people are disproportionately

hurt by gambling," Wilson said.

Wilson also questioned the wisdom of basing a major social program on a

funding source like gambling, which is subject to wide fluctuations. The

program is estimated to cost $25 million in its first year. Wise

"There's nothing more unstable than having no source of funding, which

is the present situation," Wise said.

Wise supported giving Greenbrier County voters the option to

allow casino gambling at The Greenbrier hotel. He would not rule out

giving other counties the same option, although he said he'd be reluctant

to do so. Wise's campaign manager, Steve F. White of the Charleston law

firm Goodwin and Goodwin, has lobbied for a state racetrack at the

Legislature.

Wise criticized Underwood for refusing to use state troopers to

coming up from South Carolina and taking over the state like kudzu and the

fire ant, he said.

Wise joked that he might name Cabell County Sheriff Hercil

Gartin to enforce gambling laws in the state. Gartin has made headlines

with several raids on establishments where illegal video poker machines

payouts have been witnessed.

"If Sheriff Gartin can do it in Cabell County, why can't the State

Police?" Wise said.

To contact staff writer Scott Finn, use e-mail or call 357-4323.