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By Stephen Majors
Associated Press
POSTED: 03:12 p.m. EDT, Jun 22, 2009
COLUMBUS: Gov. Ted Strickland's proposal to put slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racing tracks predicts $933 million in revenue over the next two years.
But a similar proposal pushed by the Ohio State Racing Commission foresees only about $505 million coming back to the state.
Strickland dropped his longtime opposition to slot machines, saying it will help plug the state's $3.2 billion budget gap. The details of his proposal, and the rationale used to make the revenue estimate, have not been released.
Opponents of expanded gambling continued to speak out Monday against the plan, saying it may violate the state Constitution and that the projected revenue would never come to fruition.
Legal experts say it's a stretch for opponents to claim that the gambling expansion is illegal.
COLUMBUS: Gov. Ted Strickland's proposal to put slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racing tracks predicts $933 million in revenue over the next two years.
But a similar proposal pushed by the Ohio State Racing Commission foresees only about $505 million coming back to the state.
Strickland dropped his longtime opposition to slot machines, saying it will help plug the state's $3.2 billion budget gap. The details of his proposal, and the rationale used to make the revenue estimate, have not been released.
Opponents of expanded gambling continued to speak out Monday against the plan, saying it may violate the state Constitution and that the projected revenue would never come to fruition.
Legal experts say it's a stretch for opponents to claim that the gambling expansion is illegal.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 03:26 PM, 06/22/2009
The opponents need to stop trying to stop casino gambling in Ohio. These same opponents need to cruise around the casino parking lots in surrounding states and will soon realize that the majority of the cars are from Ohio. People are going to gamble regardless of where the casino's are located, so why not put them in Ohio so that Ohio benefits from this. Stop trying to put the brakes on something you apparently can no longer jusify. Even the senior citizen centers have bus trips leaving daily from somewhere in every county of the state to out of state casino's. Wake up and help Ohio. It is narrow minded attitudes like opponents to casino gambling that is costing Ohio jobs.
Stow, OH
Posted 03:27 PM, 06/22/2009
Considering the governor's estimate that he state will take in 933,000,000 dollars and Ohio's estimated population of 11,500,000, that means that Ohio will make about $40 per person per year. That seems a bit high. It also begs the question of what the track owners will make. I think that gambling is the wrong way to go for Ohio.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:42 PM, 06/22/2009
@think-I understand hat you are saying, but just imagine that about 1/2 ($450,000,000) will be coming from tourists from other states. there will be many junkets coming from other states to gamble here. Go to greek Town in Detroit and see how many vehicles from Ohio are stopping there to gamble.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:56 PM, 06/22/2009
I have no problem with casinos in Ohio... but I want PUBLISHED payouts. I refuse to play at any casino where they won't give out that information. Many casinos, especially at race tracks, refuse to provide that info.
Orrville, Oh
Posted 04:10 PM, 06/22/2009
Governor Strickland neglects to disclose when adding slots to racetrack gambling. Will enable Fathers disqualified for affirmative action with white skin, Union workers, consumers, taxpayers, and America’s grandchildren’s children. To fund all stimulus packages, tax abatements, tax incentives, tax refunds, tax credit, tax exemptions; And fund lottery, casino, and keno losers, unemployed workers, aliens, waitresses that pander for life for $2.00 per hour, insubordinate, low-income, defiant of realities demands volunteers without wages, nonunion parasites willing to work for fewer wages than they can afford life. Paying with welfare checks, food stamps, housing vouchers, and Medicaid? With money derived from wages or independent business profit!
Posted 04:32 PM, 06/22/2009
@Loren Eberly
What?
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 06:48 PM, 06/22/2009
@FEDUP,,I couldnt of said it better myself.thank you..
@Loren Eberly,seriously WHAT????????
Akron, OH
Posted 06:59 PM, 06/22/2009
@Loren
Keep that schizophrenic Stormfront scheisse off of this site, thank you.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:01 PM, 06/22/2009
We have said no 4 times by majority vote. What doesn't Stricknine understand? We, the majority, do not want slots in Ohio. Democrook politicians never listen and he will be a one termer now for sure.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:05 PM, 06/22/2009
@OldManGrump, we have never voted on slots. All four proposals were for CASINOS.
Posted 12:02 AM, 06/23/2009
Why Didn't OMG blame it on the MAYOR? He must be losing his touch or else he saw the handwriting on the Tallmadge Circle go round {WALL}
Akron, OH
Posted 02:03 AM, 06/23/2009
I totally agree with you, @FEDUP Thanks Alot, very well written!
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 08:39 AM, 06/23/2009
This article in the ABJ says that while Strickland estimates $73M for Ohio annually, the opponents say it is probably ONLY going to bring in $25-$30M. Well, then. Who needs $25M?
So if the governor is saying $73M and the opponents are saying $25M, what do you think the real number might be? Somewhere in the middle? $50M?
Ohio is broke. We need to start doing things to bring in revenue, attracting tourists and businesses. Slots and casinos are not the end all/be all in solving this problem, but it will help.
What makes Ohio attractive to outsiders? Our wholesome communities? Every state thinks that about themselves. Why would a tourist want to come here? To see the parks? Every state has those.
It's time to get serious. Ohio is never going to take any steps forward as long as we sit here, afraid to move forward because it MIGHT lead to some dire consequence.
By the way, it never does.
akron, oh
Posted 06:34 PM, 06/23/2009
Gain some-Casino are slots-see PA no table games there. Why must you ALWYAS want to split hairs over the dumbest things. When people say casino's they are figuring slots are inside, maybe table games and wow even dog or horse racing depending on the state. People really can figure out the diference but thanks for pointing out a non interesting point.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:59 PM, 06/23/2009
@olfuzzster, we voted on CASINOS. Slots only one part of casinos and we were not asked about that specific type of gambling as an alternative. (By the way I am for casino gambling.) There is a great difference between OKing casinos versus just OKing slots.
If you find giving people their right to vote and discuss something as "splitting hairs", I feel sorry for you. I hope you get arrested one day and the way you fight it is tell the judge you are "just splitting hairs". Or you lose your retirement or SS because they stop giving it to you, and they tell you are "just splitting hairs" when it comes to the policies.
A law or a ballot issue's wording is critical, and it is never just splitting hairs.
