“What we sell is entertainment,” said Amy Burbidge, director of player development at Wheeling Island. “It really costs no more for entertainment at Wheeling Island that at other places people go to be entertained.” Burbidge was the guest speaker at the Cambridge Lions Club.

“We have added table games in the last six months so we are now like other casinos,” Burbidge said. “We now have poker, blackjack, roulette, and crap games. We will be starting tournaments and will participate in the World Series of Poker,” Burbidge said.

“We have great restaurants and a hotel so it’s a great place to stay and eat. We have comedy acts and other entertainment. It’s really great to see the excitement when someone wins a big jackpot.”

Wheeling Island, long known for its greyhound dog races, continues to offer a place to wager on dog races. Patrons can relax and place bets on other dog races, thoroughbred races and harness races from around the country in the simulcast parlor. “We also send our signal from the dog races to other tracks and casinos,” Burbidge said.

“We have a program to adopt the retired greyhounds that no longer race,” Burbidge said. “They make great pets and children love them. They do need a lot of space because they like to run. Information about the program is available on our website at http://www.wheelingisland.com/.

“You have to be at least twenty one to place bets at the game tables,” said Burbidge. “You can bet on the greyhounds when you are eighteen. The games are continually monitored by West Virginia lottery officials.”

“We try to build relationships with the players so that they will have a good time. We want them to return. We have players’ club cards that offer special incentives.”

“We have been upgrading our facilities and plan to build a tower hotel in the near future,” Burbidge said.

The Wheeling Island web site includes a phone number and a link to a website for those who have a problem with gambling.