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3 gambling plans in the works in Ohio
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
COLUMBUS — Backers of expanded gambling now are placing their bets on at least three separate proposals for Ohio.
State Reps. Todd Book, D-McDermott, and Louis Blessing, R-Cincinnati, said on Tuesday, April 7, that they're drafting legislation based largely on an Ohio Racing Commission plan to put 14,000 slot machines at Ohio's seven racetracks without a vote of the people.
They're gathering cosponsors and hope to introduce the bill next week, Book and Blessing said.
Separately, Philip Craig, executive director of the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, said he is gathering legislative support for a plan to permit slot machines at bars and restaurants, also without the vote of the people.
The effort has support from bar owners such as David Grusenmeyer in the Dayton area, who said business at his three bars is the worst he's seen in 24 years. He owns two bars in Huber Heights and one in Fairborn.
Work on both proposals comes with the Ohio Ballot Board scheduled to meet on Monday, April 13, to consider a petition from backers of a proposal for casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. The board must give its OK before supporters can begin to gather the 402,275 signatures needed to put the proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Deadline for gathering the signatures is July 1.
Tom Smith, director of public policy for the Ohio Council of Churches and a gambling opponent, said it would be hard for the legislature to approve slot machine proposals without a vote of the people since voters have rejected gambling in the past.
"If the legislature passes something without a vote of the people, they're asking not to be re-elected," said Smith.
Book and Blessing, however, agree with an Ohio Racing Commission analysis that says a vote of the people is not needed for slots at the tracks.
The state's weak economy combined with money woes at the tracks make it the right time to discuss expanding the Ohio Lottery to include slot machines at the tracks, said Book. The proposal will call for 51 percent of gross revenue to go to education, said Blessing.
Grusenmeyer said it wouldn't be fair to limit slot machines to the tracks. He'd like to put one or two at each of his bars.
"I want it to be a tavern, not a gambling bar," he said.
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Casino Junkie
June 29, 2009 4:53 AM | Link to this
Gambling has been becomes a part of our daily life. We need sometimes to gamble to win. We should also take into consideration that gambling also help sustain the economy of our country. Most of the gambling industry helps the country in providing charity works among the people.
By ken
April 13, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this
Your not going to stop people from gambling. So why see all that money go out of state. I see nothing wrong with slots in restaurants and bars also I think that you should be able to play keno in restaurants a lot of people don’t go to bars that would play if they were in a restaurants.
By dan k
April 9, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this
race tracks needs slots bad if we never had race tracks in ohio ohio will wash up and be gone so let the slots come to the tracks im a track worker for 19 years thats all i know how to do the slots will help me keep working in cincinnati ohio riverdowns bring them on do the right thing people will gamble on slots in other states so lets keep them in are state for a change ohio needs the money and the new jobs thanks ohio
By gozips
April 8, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
the race track plan is best because the state would operate it and get the most in proceeds. Plus it would help the industry in trouble and in danger of closing. there are many other industries that support the tracks in this state who would also benefit.we are twenty years behind, time to move forward and stop the do nothing mentality.
By tom
April 8, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
51% in tax is better from the tracks than 33% with Penn Gamings plan for 4 cities. The race Commissions plan is 51% for education, State run $50 million in license fees x 7 is $350 million up front plus each track must spend $80 million in construction for new building. Thats Jobs and additional taxes at state , county and local levels.
By Jobless in Ohio
April 8, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this
OHIO NEEDS THE JOBS, this would create jobs for construction, food service, office workers, suppliers. and so on.. Are any of the anti-gambling people out of work or loosing thier home..are they anti-gambling because of religion? What about separation of church and state..I am a religious person but thankfully because I live in America I have a right to choose what religion..How many Ohioans lost thier jobs in the last 6 to 12 months? OHIO NEEDS THE JOBS…
By tom
April 8, 2009 12:22 PM | Link to this
The Race Commissions plan is the best for Ohio ! It run by the State, 51% of the tax goes to state for Education K true 12 and Secondary, helping to lower cost of a college tuition. $50 million in license fees must be paid x 7 tracks thats $350 million up front. And every track must make construction improvements of $80 million each . Thats jobs, and local, county and state taxes too.
Thats better than Penn Gaming plan that only pays 33% in taxes for 4 city casinos, they pay 54 % in Pa. Now!
By Fred E.
April 8, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
If I lose money at the track,the slots or the boat can I get a bailout too or do I have to be a member of “ACORN to do so? Just wondering BOYS!
By Bible Beaters
April 8, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this
Enough with the legislation of morality. Lets restore rights to the people. If an adult wants to gamble than they should have that RIGHT. And while we’re at it, lets legalize marijuana and watch our budget deficit go up in smoke.
By Bill
April 8, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
The simpleton’s will be opposed to it again. Rednecks are resistant to change.
By GamblerLJ
April 8, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
So the $ 700 I lost over the weekend at the boat in Indiana will stay right here in Ohio, makes me happy.
By Jesus Christ
April 8, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
Listen up my children. There is nothing wrong with playing the slots. As a matter of fact, I used to enjoy the donkey races back in the day. And why are all you so called Christians attacking your new President? He seems to actually care about the poor and helpless, unlike that Bush guy who claimed to worship me but never helped anyone who wasn’t a millionaire. I’m getting very tired of the gun toting, never helped the helpless, rich hypocrites in America who claim to follow Christ. Bye, Jesus.
By eh
April 8, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
Yes in the race tracks…. Ohio is the beginning of harness racing and all of the tracks here are hurting because of other states and the gambling there. People go over the border to gamble in other states and pay the taxes there. Why won’t you let the taxes stay here and help the horse industry and the farmers that support the breeding farms, the trainers, and the local people that you know.. Ask a horse person their thoughts if you want to know the truth! Let the tracks have gambling!
By Sheila
April 8, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
We need to create more jobs. I support all gambling issues. Come on people, let’s create jobs and stimulate Ohio’s economy. Gambling isnt’ going to send us to hell so let’s do it. Stop living in the dark ages. Gambling doesn’t cause problems. The economy is causing people to shoot their families, rob banks and stores, have you read lately that someone was killed from gambling or someone went into a casino and started shooting people because they lost money.
By Jim
April 8, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
What kills me is all the people on here that think Obama is going to take your rights away. What do you people think Dubya and Cheney have done for the past eight years? If anything, Obama is going to restore your rights and freedoms. As far as gambling, I say bring it on. I get tired of driving to Lawrenceburg.
By Ron
April 8, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
I vote for the casinos, let people do as they please. I feel sorry for the people that think they bring in problems, they must have experience in that area. No one has had a neighborhood problem with casinos. They have more problem in their neighborhoods than gambling.Let the people of Ohio and the various organizations benefit from the revenue, if they fail so let it be, it is their money that fails not the taxpayers. The taxpayers can only win in this venture.
By what ev
April 8, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
hey Carl - you do realize that your “communist in columbus” who wouldn’t allow gambling in ohio was a republican for 16 years before Strickland got there two years ago, right? Taft shot down gambling every chance he got, and nobody blamed it on his politics.
By Wordell
April 8, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
Anti-gambling zealots remind me of my first time in a Pentecostal church. The minister approached me, slapped me on the forehead, and as he was doing that yelled: “EVIL-DIABOLICAL-HEATHENISTIC SPIRITS OUT!” Amazing experience! My forhead hurt, my ears rung, I lost my balance, I fell backwards, eneded up on the floor flat on my back, sort of like what will happen if the “EVIL-DIABOLICAL-HEATHENISTIC SPIRIT” of gambling seduces us all!!! God gives us free choice. Anti gambling nuts won’t.
By Jeff
April 8, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this
As long as gambling is regulated honestly and the government taxes it extensively, it’s a great idea. But don’t give Penn National or any of those other Indiana casino management corporations in. These thieves really stack the deck against everyone - they cheat and get away with it. The owners need to be Ohio residents so there butts can be thrown into jail when they are caught cheating!
By relax2009
April 8, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
Ken, maybe we should make all alcohol illegal too because some people have drinking problems that lead to divorce, criminal activity, etc. I wonder if that would work as well as it did the first time around? I think the tracks are a great place for slots. Slot machines haven’t destroyed Indiana in the last 15 years, they’re not going to hurt Ohio either. They’ll bring a lot of (voluntarily-spent) money into Ohio’s economy without raising anyone’s taxes. What’s wrong with that?
By RAW
April 8, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
I have to wonder what the anti-gambling proponents are scared of? They are probably the same crowd that voted in Obama, a man bent on controlling all aspects of our lives through government. Gambling is a choice that people make. Allow people the option to make their own decisions based on their own self-interest, and let them suffer the consequences of their excess. The individual is much smarter than the government gives them credit. I am tired of the nanny state mentality.
By arniez
April 8, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
and by the way, does this make sense???
“Grusenmeyer said it wouldn’t be fair to limit slot machines to the tracks. He’d like to put one or two at each of his bars.
“I want it to be a tavern, not a gambling bar,” he said.”
By arniez
April 8, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
The state should create a non-partisan gaming commission that regulates and licenses casinos, slots, etc. Let that commission look at proposals for these casinos so that no single part of the state is left out in the cold. The current ballot measure leaves out too many viable areas of the state. Make it fair and equitable…
By Random
April 8, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
If gambling is the road to community prosperity, why is it that two blocks from the boardwalk in Atlantic City the city is a blighted, crime ridden slum?
Bringing gambling to Ohio is gambling with our future.
By L Berry
April 8, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
So when will the anti-gambling proponents finally come out and admit they are doing Christ’s work in preventing vice. But wait, they drink, smoke and go after prostitues all over Dayton. Wait that is the elected officials. Stop trying to be my mother and let consenting adults gamble local if they want to. The lies about crime rates going up are Bulls**t. Opponents will say anything to get their way. Let the people rule or stop all other vice. Alcohol, drugs, smokes, bars, etc.
By Observer
April 8, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
No on gambling! - too many problems associated with it. With the economy the way it is - who has the extra money to throw away gambling? Those who have the money will go to the big casinos where there is also entertainment. Putting out a few thousand slot-machines is just going to bring trouble to the community and to those who are or will get addicted to the gambling.
Since 51% of the money would go to education - how about a tax that targets parents who have those kids!
By No Thanks
April 8, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
Perhaps Obama can “fix” this issue for us too. He can do whatever he wants. He can fire a CEO at GM? Can he remove me from my job as well?
By WildBill
April 8, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this
Sandy ken and JKS - pull yuor heads out of your *. And quit trying to protect people from themselves. Because a few can abuse - keep it from everyone? Grow up! I say YES. Bring it on. I hope that another venture for a cassino is put on the next ballot and the next etc until it finally passes. Ohio needs attractions to draw people and to provide jobs!
By Ralph
April 8, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
It plain and simple, I get up and go to work everyday and if I choose to go gambling with my money then it is my choise. I think we better take advantage of it before Obama and the boys in Washington take that right away from us also.
By Carl
April 8, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this
So if I understand it right it doesn’t make any difference how we vote. The communist in Columbus will decide what is good or bad for us. Welcome to the USSR. Of course we have the same thing going on in Washington so we should get used to it. You wanted change well you got it.
By Walt
April 8, 2009 8:13 AM | Link to this
There they go again saying that “gambling profits” will go to education. Ohio plays a shell game with that. The amount of money that comes to the “Education Budget” from the Ohio Lottery is the amount that is reduced in the “Education Budget” from the General Fund. So, duh … gambling profits go directly to the General Fund.
By ron
April 8, 2009 8:13 AM | Link to this
You anti-gambling people crack me up. Your main reasons for not wanting gambling in Ohio is that gambling will ruin peoples lives. once again 99% of us have to suffer the consequences because 1% can’t handle something. I think they tried to use that one during prohibition. “Alcohol will ruin peoples lives” so let’s make it illegal for everyone. Did you know that alcohol consumption per capita in the U.S. was never higher than when it was illegal? What do you think is happening with gambling?
By citizen
April 8, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this
Of course. America needs to grow up. There is nothing wrong with gambling, legalizing drugs, gay marriages and underage homosexual sex if it is done in the privacy of one’s own home. Come on America. Get behind the president and let’s make this country what it used to be…….
By felixinKett1
April 8, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this
Let’s get real and look at some problems in Dayton. Rampant crime, welfare, drugs, home invasions, thugs and gangbangers run wild on the streets, out of control government taxing everything in sight. Electorate dumb enough to vote in a certified bipolar idiot. Yes, casino would be full of welfare recipients spending your tax dollars. On the positive side you can put a house on your credit card if you live in Dayton. Also, 13,000 uninhabitable homes. Is DMHA listening. DDN=poor WEB site.
By BlondebyNature
April 8, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this
We have race tracks and lottery, which are used by choice, no one is forced to buy lottery tickets or go to the horse races. People who want to gamble, will do it by choice. Why should Indiana, Michigan and Missouri get all of the money that Ohioians spend on gambling. It is a choice, if you don’t want to go, stay at home, but don’t deprive the people that want to their right.
By Joe
April 8, 2009 8:08 AM | Link to this
I have been to Indiana casinos many times, and have never seen a single crime of any sort committed. There is more crime in non-gambling states, because of less prosperity. We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain if we have gambling in Ohio.
By lisa
April 8, 2009 7:45 AM | Link to this
yes… people that really want to gamble are doing it anyway, one way or another. Or it’s a short drive to the boats if you prefer the casino. Putting it here just makes it more convenient to access, that’s all. The revenue that it will bring to the area is the plus.
By Sandy Smith
April 8, 2009 7:41 AM | Link to this
You got to be kidding? You better check your records regarding lower crime in Indiana….Ask the people of Indiana - they are moving away just because of all the crime, traffic, noise, and all the drunks…think about all the stuff that goes along with gambling. I was hoping someone would put a stop to all this once and for all. When in this world are people gonna wake up - are you all brain dead. I vote NO
By Ken
April 8, 2009 7:41 AM | Link to this
No!! for gambling. Their are too many people who have a gambling problem. The people with this problem have a high divorce rate and tend to commmit more crimes because they are greedy. If we brought a casino in ohio, we would’nt see a dime, it all goes to the corrupted crackheads who run the stupid thing. D.T.A (dont trust anyone) not even your mom. Dont bring gambling in Ohio, it’s only for the rich man. Plus, gambling is set up, just like the lottery. peace in the middle east.
By JKS
April 8, 2009 7:12 AM | Link to this
Ohio voters have consistently said NO to gambling proposals. Casinos benefit owners- not the workers or patrons. Slot machines- same thought.
We played slot machines in Vegas. We broke even if lucky with the few dollars spent. The shows were good.
Gambling- slot machines can be a fun part of a vacation- but should not be part of the experience of having a couple beers at bar. One could say NO- not participate. Better yet- Do not have them there.
By smoke&mirrors
April 8, 2009 7:10 AM | Link to this
Yes! we have a lottery system and gambling would bring in millions of dollars for roads and schools and public service such as police and fire. The towns in Indiana have not seen an increase in crime such as prostitution or drugs or robberies as predicted!
So yes bring it on..the sooner the better!
By ELW
April 8, 2009 7:03 AM | Link to this
Yes, because we are already gambling with people’s exisistance due to the unemployment situation. People will have jobs at the casinos and if someone chooses to make a living as a gambler then so be it. Is the stock market not a gamble these days? If people are become addicted to it, then they are probably addicted to booze and cigarettes as well. Let them be responsible for their own excesses.The government should not play mommy.