A while back I recieved an e-mail from 7Springs inviting comment on the gaming issue signed by Scott Bender President and COO of 7Springs. Send your comments to slots@7Springs.com

If they use the money to open Laurel, I'm all for it.

Hate to tell you but I'm all in. If only they had blackjack or poker, oh well. I understand your arguement but for as many as oppose it there will be plenty who are for it. If you were to do research on how many lives alcohol messes up and destroys the figures would be staggering too but good luck with another bout of prohibition.

I won't lie I do love me some gambling. I don't have a gambling problem, I only wager what I can afford and am willing to lose. I have to wonder how much the slots crowd will spill over onto the slopes. My feeling is that it may end up being the slopes spilling into the casino. You're going to have a lot of skiers coming in from the hill, getting some drinks and hitting the casino. I may get absolutely slated for this but thats how I see it.

I'm with Michael on this. While there may be many folks out there who can easily control their gambling by having preset abilities to take a loss of a certain amount and walk away, there are vastly more people who can't. Gambling is marketed towards everyone as "family friendly entertainment". Especially in this area of WV where the Charles Town Races are a big thing, I've noticed more and more commericals in the local radio stations promoting races and slots as a great get away adventure for the whole family.

Sadly enough I've seen way too many folks loose families, lives, livelihoods, and much more to gambling. I have a friend who I would consider on the breakthrough of becoming a professional poker player, but yet with all of his strategy and skill, I saw him loose $1500 on slots in 45 minutes. Gambling sets up people to create bad behaviors in their lives with the promise of great riches if they just hit it right. This leads towards secrets that slowly tear apart marriages and families. Especially after it's found out mommy or daddy spent the retirement and college savings and lost it all as a last ditch attempt to recoup the $20,000 that was lost the month prior.

It's something people become too easily addicted at. If the folks in the minoritity like to gamble and take the well known risks associated with hoping to increase ones own wealth, then let them do that. However, let them do that in a time and place that doesn't suck in families, children, and people who simply are lost in the glitz and glamor of the entertainment value of gambling.

Sorry, but a gambling facility at a ski resort I can't and won't visit. Just like I don't visit the Charles Town Racetrack or other facilities that have gambling on the premisis. Even if those steaks are $.99.

If a couple of previous posts is a sampling of how people really feel about having gambling at a ski area, I guess 7S would be wise to open LM this year as a true family oriented resort so that families (or just plain old skiers) who don't want to be in the vicinity of a gaming facility have an alternative... I'm keeping my fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes crossed that 7S (or for that matter, anybody) will reopen LM.

Brian, have you ever skied at Laurel?

Doesn't matter which side of the slots/no slots debate you are on, gaming/gambling is going to change 7 Springs significantly.

MichaelB they will miss *you* but they won't miss your money because this casino is going to make everything that's gone on at 7 for the last sixty years look like small taters, moneywise. Go to one of the gaming resorts in WV, i'll bet 50% of the patrons don't even know there's a racetrack involved with the operation; 95% of the revenue there comes from slots, the only reason they race is because state law requires it. Skiing revenue at 7 Springs will be about as important as racing revenue at Charlestown.

I'm fortunate enough that if i can only ski for the day, 7 Springs is only 90 minutes away but if Laurel had been open this past season the eight days I spent at 7 Springs might have been one or none.

Never had the pleasure of skiing LM or HV. Everytime I have been up that way they were both closed. I am not a fan of gambling in general. Never had the urge. Just want the Springs to stay the same that's all.

(well maybe upgrade the lifts!)

Hope you get the chance to ski LM next season! Don't get me wrong, I like 7 Springs, still think of it as my home hill even though i spend way more time in WV. I just think that the vertically impaired terrain expansion and a new high speed lift is a bone they'll throw to skiers. This place is gonna change, will the emphasis remain on skiing? Follow the money.

I'm going to predict an announcement of paramount proportions regarding the future of 7springs before the end of April.

Unfortunately, LM doesn't have the proper infrastructure to support slots/casino. However, 7S already has infrastructure in place and WILL move forward with slots licensing. I strongly believe that 7S will NOT operate LM next year as they have decided to pursue their own expansion agressively. that being said, Someone will be waiting to open LM as the family alternative to 7S/slots. Wait and see!

Since I own a weekend place 10 minutes East of 7Springs, I do have some concerns about the impact slots will have on the area as a whole. We all know the plans that Buncher has for the former game preserve in Bakersville; also, there is currently a 235-acre plot near Trent on the market for $1.5 million ("1 mile frontage on Laurel Hill Creek" - I think this means that this has to be situated between Trent and the Barronvale covered Bridge, for those of you familiar with the area). I truly think that the area will look very different 10 years from now if the Dupres get their slots license.

PS:
I also believe that the decision as to whether or not 7 SPrings operates LM this year will depend in part on the timing of the decision regarding the 7 Springs slots license. Aside from the 2 or 3 years that it was operated by George Mowl, Laurel was (presumably) available to the Dupres if they were interested in operating it. I don't think it was a mere coincedence that they were suddenly interested in LM just a few months after the slots law was passed. The slots law was passed in July of 2004; the "Springs at Laurel Mountain" deal was announced in late October/early November of that year, I think.

Just wondering, does your Caps Lock key still work ?

Re: slots at 7springs, this may be my misunderstanding however, i am under the impression that the resort license 7springs applied for is limited to 500 machines AND you must be a hotel guest of the resort inorder to access the slots. Does anyone know if this is true, i.e., that you have to be a hotel guest to play? I think this could make a significant difference with respect to the impact of slots on the rest of the resort operations, e.g., skiing, as well as on the impact on the surrounding community and area. 500 machines, for example, does not support caravans of 'bus people'. I am also interested to hear more re: the expansion of the 'western area'. Does anyone know if 7springs has legitimate potential for significant expansion of their (ski) terrain?

Regarding the question of whether or not one must be a hotel guest to use the slots, here is the relevant language from a website showing the Highlights of the gaming law in PA
It is under Categories and Numbers of Slot Machine Licenses.

"A slot machine resort hotel license (Category 3) allows slot machines at established resort hotels that have at least 275 guest rooms and offer substantial amenities. Only 2 licenses are available, and the number of slot machines is limited to 500 at each location. A person is eligible as long as they have not applied for any other type of license. A license is only issued with the express condition that a person may enter the gaming area only if they are an overnight guest or a patron of one of the amenities. "

Anyone with a ski pass would be a patron of a resort amenity.

I've read in a number of newspaper articles (Post-Gazette, Tribune-Democrat)that you'll be able to feed the slots if you spend $25 at the resort (if you're not a hotel guest). And it looks like you won't even need to go to the Foggy Goggle to do that - the plans for the casino include a dining area and bar/lounge.

I guess ths means that the "Lower Lot is Full" sign will be posted even earlier on the weekends than it was this ski-season - which will funnel more cars to the North Face lot. I guess I'll have to get out of bed earlier next ski-season.

I hope the placement of the casino (and perhaps additional parking)does not reduce any skiable terrain - Alpine is one of my favorite slopes there, and it seems like Alpine will look right down onto the casino.

Which probably means they'll hand you a $25 food voucher as soon as you walk thru the doors of the gaming venue.

There is a public meeting on the 7S slots application scheduled for May 3rd at HV. Perhaps the rules of access to the slots will get clarified at that time. Having patrons checked for receipts and bar tabs totaling $25 is absurd. "Sorry sir, your pizza, beer and munchies receipts only added up to $23.50. Have another beer and we'll let you in." It will probably turn out that anyone there and breathing will get to play.

Someone should ask them about the casino's impact on parking. It's already difficult. A large garage would help!

There is no question it'll have an impact on parking - they may have to increase the number of spaces in the upper lots. Of course, that'll mean more shuttle bus rides for those who frequent the Front Face area - which I don't do. Most days I was there this season I never went near the main lodge side - they sell food and beer in the Tahoe Lodge -what more could you ask?

Sometimes they close Tahoe Lodge during the week. Once the slots hit it will be interesting to see the impact on midweek traffic as well as how much more of a zoo the weekends become.

Just FYI....
Talking with a patrol guy with 7S he had heard that the family is worried about global warming and the weather trend over the last decade. "Under the cover" science says the same kind of warming trend occured prior to 1940 so it can't be attributed to global warming but the newspaper hype points in other directions. So if you own a busniess like the springs, how do you hedge your bets? (no pun intended) It kinda made sense given the slots and the water park.

Love to know what "patrol" guy you talked to.

Sorry, he did intoduce himself and I have forgotten. If it helps .... Stocky fellow with dark brown hair, mid thirties, very outgoing. We were chatting while standing in line for ice cream in the Pgh Mills mall. Has been skiing at the springs his whole life.

The location for the public hearing on the 7S slots proposal at 8:30 am on May 3rd is being changed from Hidden Valley to the Quality Inn (formerly the Ramada Inn) in Somerset. With Hidden Valley shutting down their Conference Center, this is really no surprise.

When I posted the previous message #26113 this morning, the following story was associated with the link in that message. It's bizarre, although both stories turned out to be related.

By MICHELLE GANASSI
Daily American Staff Writer
Thursday, April 20, 2006 1:11 AM EDT

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced Wednesday a location change for a public input hearing for a proposed slots casino at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

The hearing, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. May 3, was originally scheduled to be held at Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort, but is now being held at the Quality Inn, formerly the Ramada Inn, in Somerset.

Nick Hays, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesman, said the change was made after a contract between the board and resort was canceled.

Hays said 45 people are registered to speak, which is more than the 29 signed-up to attend the Nemacolin Woodland Resorts in Fayette County public hearing. Nemacolin is seeking one of the two available resort licenses.

The hearings are open to the public and anyone wishing to add their comments can send them to the gaming board.

"The written comments will become part of the public record as will any of the comments offered in person," Hays said.

Scott Bender, Seven Springs president, said he is preparing to give a 40-minute presentation to the gaming control board members.

"We will be touching on all aspects of our operation and additional things to relay to the board that puts us in the best possible light," he said.

Twenty-two organizations have submitted applications for 14 available gaming licenses, which were authorized by Act 71 of 2004. The board is holding 18 days of public hearings to consider the applications. The hearings began April 5 in Gettysburg.

Hays said a decision on the licenses recipients will be announced by the end of December.

For more information about the hearings visit www.pgcb.state.pa.us

(Michelle Ganassi can be contacted at michelleg@dailyamerican.com.)

In the Post-Gazette today:

Featuring a DCSki member

Some Seven Springs patrons not happy about proposed casino
Gambling at ski resort a slippery slope?
Tuesday, May 02, 2006

By Bill Toland, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For Michael Betteridge, skiing is a family affair. He learned to shush down the slopes at Seven Springs a decade ago with his college-age daughter, and he's been doing it since, going at the beginning of each ski season, and maybe once or twice more before the season ends.

But he won't be doing it again -- not if Seven Springs makes good on its bid to build a 500-slot machine casino next to the resort's convention center.

"I have seen lives destroyed by gambling addiction firsthand," said Mr. Betteridge, a Frederick, Md., resident who volunteers at the Frederick Rescue Mission. The mission combats addiction, usually drugs and alcohol, but every once in a while, they see a gambling addict.

When he found out, via e-mail, that Seven Springs wanted to build a casino, he "personally wrote a letter to Seven Springs and told them that I was opposed to this casino venture at many levels." He'd never frequent their slopes again if they were to open a gambling enterprise, he said in the letter.

Mr. Betteridge is one of a small but impassioned group of patrons who say that if a casino comes to Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County, they'll ski elsewhere. A public hearing that will help determine Seven Springs' ability to operate a casino is scheduled for tomorrow at the Quality Inn & Conference Center, just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Somerset exit.

Seven Springs' owners want to put a casino, if they win the rights to build it, at the north end of the resort, away from the hotel, video arcade and bowling lanes, and away from the schoolchildren and their parents visiting the ski slopes for the weekend. And while that placement would seem to satisfy most of the visitors who wish to ski but not gamble, there are some who object to the casino's presence altogether.

Casinos built from scratch -- like the one that will eventually be built in Pittsburgh -- won't offend existing clientele, because there is no existing clientele. Ditto for the casinos that will be built at racetracks, because customers who are betting on ponies presumably won't have a problem with slot machines.

But Seven Springs runs the risk of offending some portion of its existing customer base, as well as potential future visitors who might be turned off.

Brad Walker, of Hardy County, W.Va., is one of them. Mr. Walker, a snowboarder, says his friend grew up in a family where gambling was commonplace.

"And now he has a pretty bad gambling compulsion," having once lost $1,500 in just 45 minutes in front of a slot machine.

Scott Bender, president of Seven Springs, said in an e-mail that opinions like these are regrettable, but in the minority.

"We e-mailed and mailed tens of thousands of slots brochures and literature, and there have been few negative responses," he said. "We couldn't be more pleased with the support and well-wishes we've received. They have far outweighed the negative responses. That's the feel we have from monitoring this."

Seven Springs is one of two applicants for two available "resort" licenses. Winners of resort licenses are allowed to operate up to 500 slot machines, while other casinos will be allowed to have up to 5,000 machines.



http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06122/686634-85.stm

"And now he has a pretty bad gambling compulsion," ...

And that's MY problem, how???

With slots income, 7S will really miss his littl' family - sort of like a lost quarter on the floor! I'm all for it - 7S is the Killington of the area - skiing and bars, and now gambling - what more can you ask for??? I'd probably drop more there myself then his whole family! They best stick to Mass-a-nuthin'.

Yea I got the PM from Bill (aka maximm123) when this topic first hit, fishing for DC Skiers to add to article. I never contacted him back though. Just felt it wouldn't be right to drag DC Ski into this whole mess..........

Johnstown Tribune-Democrat article on the 7S slots application public hearing.

I also rec'd a PM from Bill Toland. I did reply back to him, but since my reply was basically 'pro' slots at 7 Springs I think he lost interest. It is my consdered opinion that he had decided at the outset to pen an article that was anti-slots at 7 Springs.
Just my opinion.

More power to the slots! If someone doesn't like it, they don't have to frequent the slot machne parlor. What do they think? They will have sin by association or that you can catch gambling addiction in the air?

I personally don't gamble with $$. If you take a critical view of life, however, almost every decision we take is a gamble. In over 4 thousand hours of in-command flying, I never, ever, saw an airplane without potentially serious malfunctions, yet, pilots fly with them. It's a gamble.

I wish Snowshoe opened a casino topside. It would bring more non-ski revenue as well as greater occupancy without added load on the ski trails. And it would improve property values.

Besides, I'd bet (see, I'm gambling) that many of the visceral opponents of a 7S casino probably stop at the convenience store on the way home from work every Wed and Sat and buy globs of Powerball tickets.

I think since drinking causes alcholism we should ban drinking at the resort. And people who smoke...arrest them. A little jail time may cure their habit. Skiing is a risky sport...many injuries...ban skiing. You drink coffee, you are risking damage to your heart. 7Springs shoulb be made to serve decaf only. 40,000 people were killed driving last year, it's too risky to drive to the resort. We can reduce risk if we drive them all in a non-smoking, non-drinking, no gambling bus. The Health Police are watching.

Will "BIG BROTHER" be driving?

There was some discussion here earlier about the impact of the casino on parking. When I went to the slots public hearing last week, 7S mentioned in their presentation to the gaming board that the casino would displace around 95 parking spaces. They claimed there was still adequate capacity left to accomodate everyone.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article June 19th on 7S sale & impact on slots.

Does anyone have any insight or speculation as to what the sale really means for the future of 7S?

Obviously they really wanted to sell if they were willing to risk any possibility of putting the slots license in question. At the same time it appears that some significant $ would need to be invested to carry out all the plans they have, and the Dupre family likely didn't have internal agreement.

The question in my mind is what is the bigger plan here and can the new owner carry it out? Although they apparently have some resources, it's not like a major ski or gaming company is coming to town. Running some newspapers is different than running a ski and gaming resort.

Hopefull they didn't go to the Kettler-Scanlon School of Resort Management. They have deep pockets and are into alot of different businesses. Hopefully they will recognize that they need to hire someone who knows how to run a resort. The good thing is that they are avid skiers. Unlike Scanlon who has never skied.