VIRGINIA BEACH (AP) -- Hotel owners along Virginia Beach's Oceanfront want local officials to push the legislature to allow video poker at their resorts.
The Beach's hotel-motel association president Verne Burlage tells the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk the organization is asking the city to put a measure allowing video poker in its annual legislative agenda.
Burlage says resorts in Ocean City, Md., saw an increase in tour bus traffic after that state recently approved slot machines.
Hampton Inn co-owner Cary Karageorge wants to create a video poker game room at his hotel. He says the resort only does business 60 days a year during high season, but that gambling could entice people to visit during the off-season.
Virginia legislators have been resistant to expanding gambling beyond horse races and the lottery.
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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
