Since 2001, when the state has legislated slot machine parlors, they’ve managed to proliferate onto every possible city corner. Even bakeries can now raise their heads in proud demeanor, catering among other amenities, full fledged slots. But Northern Panhandle is seeing some people hurting as a result of such steep inflation of electronic games.
When the lawmakers have chosen slot parlors as a means to generate additional revenues to pay for the government programs, the destitute communities of Weirton have clung onto the idea and took it to much higher levels. What once was considered a temporal remedy for the Northern Panhandle, became an addictive habit. Though two racetrack casinos created a turnover for the state, they’ve also made the region infamous reputation of having legalized gambling.
Many residents sense their money was drained down the toilet, when by coincidence they’ve found one of their family members gambling, by stealth, and scrapping away what was earned with great effort. Pastor Jim Rhodes is a senior member of the community, residing there for the past 20 years. He still remembers the times when the city was full of promises and has never deemed he’d have to deal with slots gambling in his ministry. His mission now is to beware his neighbors of the imminent dangers compulsive gambling leads to.
