(b) Legislative findings. -- The Legislature finds and declares that the tourism industry plays a critical role in the economy of this state and that a substantial state interest exists in protecting that industry. It further finds and declares that the authorization of the operation of a gaming facility at no more than one well-established historic resort hotel in this state as provided in this article will serve to protect and enhance the tourism industry, and indirectly other segments of the economy of this state, by providing a resort hotel amenity which is becoming increasingly important to many actual and potential resort hotel patrons.

The Legislature finds and declares that video lottery operations pursuant to section twenty-eight of this article and the operation of the other West Virginia Lottery table games permitted by this article constitute the operation of lotteries within the purview of section thirty-six, article VI of the Constitution of West Virginia.