November 1st, 2012 by WCBC Radio
The July surprise announcement by the Evitts group that it was drastically scaling back its plans for a slots operation at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Resort remains a point of frustration for local elected officials- but the bottom line is there is nothing they can do at this point. The original plan, which had been to build a $65 million addition to the lodge to house 850 slot machines, was abruptly scrapped in July just a few days before Evitts finalized the purchase of the resort. Instead a scaled-back plan calling for putting 500 machines in meeting space inside the current facility was announced. While the Allegany County Commissioners and the legislative delegation have met several times with project representatives- the bottom line is that the lesser project will move ahead unless additional financing can be secured. A spokesman for the Lakes Entertainment Group, Ivan Lanier tells WCBC News that the overall goal remains to expand the slots operation eventually to meet the original plans.
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