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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > April > 13
Monday, April 13, 2009
Casino backers clear one hurdle
The Ohio Ballot Board on Monday April 13 approved ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow for casinos to be built in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.
It clears the way for the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee to begin collecting a little more than 400,000 valid petition signatures from registered voters to put the measure on the November ballot.
Charlie Luken of the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee called it a significant step forward.
“Our proposal will bring first-class casino developments to the downtown areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. It will create $1 billion in private investment, 20,000 Ohio jobs and at least $600 million every year in tax revenues for Ohio’s cities, counties and school districts,” he said in a written release.
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Bill coming to allow slots at horse tracks
Ohio’s seven horse racing tracks would each be allowed to add 2,000 slot machines if state Reps. Louis Blessing and Todd Book’s proposal wins approval.
Blessing, R-Cincinnati, and Book, D-McDermott, plan to introduce a bill on Monday, April 20, that would OK slot machines at the horse tracks, including River Downs in Anderson Township and Lebanon Raceway in Warren County. An analysis from the State Racing Commission said the Ohio Lottery could be expanded to include slots at horse tracks without a vote of the people.
“The shape the tracks are in, we don’t have a choice. If something isn’t done, they’ll go out of business,” Blessing said.
But the idea faces steep odds since Gov. Ted Strickland has indicated he opposes adding slot machines to the race tracks.
A separate plan pushed by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association calls for permitting slot machines at bars and restaurants
And a third gambling proposal goes to the Ohio Ballot Board today, April 13. That proposal seeks to put casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. The ballot board must give its OK before supporters can begin gathering the 402,275 signatures needed to put the proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. Deadline for gathering the signatures is July 1.
