West Virginia Voters Approve Gambling for The Greenbrier
West Virgnia voters have approved a measure that will allow the Greenbrier Resort to add casino gambling to its list of four-star amenities.
With 100 percent of the vote counted, the measure was approved by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent.
Voters rejected a similar proposal in 2000, but this year’s measure was backed by several unions that are in the midst of a contract dispute with the resort that has played host to presidents and kings and, until recently insurance agents.
The unions argued if the Greenbrier expanded its offerings, it could generate additional revenue to maintain health care and other benefits for its 1,200 members.
The labor dispute forced The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers to move several meetings to other venues, including the Ritz-Carlton and Loews Las Vegas resorts.
Resort officials have not said if they will provide casino games at the southwestern West Virginia resort.
The Greenbrier is owned by Jacksonville, Fla.-based CSX Corp.