In anticipation of poker coming to West Virginia, the Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center and Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort held two test days of poker during which proceeds were directed to charitable organizations in the state.

    Officials from the West Virginia Lottery Commission observed practices and play during the two days of poker.

    “This gives employees time to practice,” said lottery commission spokeswoman Nancy Bulla. “Moreover, for our purpose, it gives the lottery an opportunity to be certain security and operational guidelines, under the rules and regulations, have all the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed.”

    The West Virginia legislature allowed county voters to approve table games at racetracks earlier this year. Voters in Wheeling Island’s Ohio County and Mountaineer’s Hancock County approved the games.

    Other games like blackjack, craps and roulette were also legalized, but because they are more complicated to operate and monitor, casino officials do not expect to have those games operational for another two months.