Local casinos could be in new plan

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By William Hershey, Staff Writer Updated 9:27 AM Wednesday, October 14, 2009

COLUMBUS — Casino  gambling could come to Dayton and other Miami Valley communities under a new gambling plan unveiled Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Rep. Dennis Murray’s proposal, which could result in 15 casinos statewide, comes three weeks before the Nov. 3 vote on Issue 3, the constitutional amendment that would permit casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.

Murray, D-Sandusky, whose district includes Cedar Point Amusement Park, said he opposes Issue 3 as “flawed” and wants his plan to influence the discussion. He said a casino in his area could complement tourist activities at Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands.

Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for the pro-Issue 3 Jobs and Growth Plan, said only, “we’re going to focus on our campaign.”

Phil Parker, president and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, said a proposal such as Murray’s makes more sense than Issue 3.

“I think any of the metropolitan areas would at least give due consideration if this was available to them,” said Parker. The Dayton chamber opposes Issue 3.

Murray’s plan, House Joint Resolution 4, would go on the May 4, 2010, ballot. It faces a big hurdle. Getting the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot would require 20 votes in the Republican-dominated 33-member Senate, 60 votes in the 99-member Democratically-controlled House.

It would put the state in charge of casino gambling, said Murray. Penn National Gaming and Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, are behind Issue 3 and wrote the ballot language.

Under Murray’s plan, voters in a county or city would have to approve gambling before a casino could be built. A tax of 50 percent would be levied on gross revenue, with most of the money distributed to state and local governments and school districts. Issue 3 calls for a tax of 33 percent on gross revenue, with most of it going to local governments and school districts.

Murray’s plan

Rep. Dennis Murray’s plan calls for:

Up to six casinos in counties with populations of 400,000 or more, which would include Montgomery.

Up to five casinos in counties with populations of 100,000 or more but less than 400,000. Butler, Clark, Greene, Miami and Warren would be in this group.

Up to four casinos in counties with populations of less than 100,000. Champaign, Darke and Preble would be in this group.

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