Voters in Ohio have twice failed to give approval for casinos in their state but MyOhioNow.com is attempting to gather sufficient signatures to get the proposition once again on the ballot. Ohio is the only state in the Great Lakes region not to have casinos and the November ballot initiative is ‘One casino for Ohio.’ With partner Lakes Entertainment, MyOhioNow.com is pushing for a US$600 million destination resort casino in the Wilmington area. 402,225 signatures are needed to get the project in front of voters.

The plan, according to the website, is quite simple. All the tax revenues from the casino will be divided evenly, based on a per capita basis, to all 88 counties in Ohio. The only county that will receive a special share will be the host Clinton County, which will need the added revenue to pay for increased safety costs and infrastructure needs to accommodate this project. The casino gross gaming revenue has been estimated at approximately US$800 million dollars and therefore US$240 million dollars in revenues to Ohio.

Many Ohioans visit neighbouring states to gamble, which MyOhioNow points out is revenue lost to Ohio. Three riverboat casinos close to Cincinnati generated over US$258 million in tax revenue for Indiana in 2007. Indiana was the first neighbouring state to legalise casinos in 1993, followed by West Virginia in 1994, Michigan in 1996 and Pennsylvania in 2004. Kentucky is still considering the casino option. The creation of up to 5,000 jobs could be expected if the Ohio casino resort goes ahead.

The amendment to the Ohio constitution would ask voters to approve no more than one privately-owned casino to be operated in the State of Ohio with gross casino receipts taxes to be distributed among all 88 county governments in Ohio. The casino operator would be required to pay a gross casino receipts tax of up to 30%, which would include up to 1% for problem gambling prevention and treatment as well as an amount determined by the General Assembly to defray costs for a Gaming Regulatory Commission.

MyOhioNow.com claims that the casino complex would be built with the latest environmentally friendly technologies and materials. Phase One of the development would include 1500-room suite-style hotel, 2500-seat multi use entertainment centre, 8 top restaurants, over 8,000 sq ft of retail space, parking garage and championship golf and shooting courses. More than 180,000 sq ft of gaming floor would hold up to 5,000 slot machines, 100 table games and over 20 poker tables. Phase Two plans include expansion of a second hotel, an auto super-speedway, additional casino space, additional retail & restaurants and more.

Dr. Bradford Pressman, co-founder of MyOhioNow.com, commented, “It’s exciting to bring this level of investment and job creation to our state. This is a dream that my partner and I have had for our state. With the tax revenues going directly to each county to help with their local needs, with no strings attached, with the up to 5000 Ohio jobs that will be offered, and this amazing complex- we are hoping that Ohio voters will embrace a casino plan that finally makes sense for our state.”

Rick Lertzman, the other co-founder of MyOhioNow.com, remarked, “We are thrilled how our architects have captured our vision of a grand resort/casino that embodies our Midwestern sensibilities. It will undoubtedly attract visitors nationwide as it will be the largest facility between New Jersey and Nevada.”

Minnesota-based Lakes Entertainment made the announcement that it has joined the coalition seeking to legalize gambling in Ohio on 30 April. The World Poker Tour co-founder and chief executive of Lakes, Lyle Berman said, "A casino of this size will be a spark plug creating economic activity throughout the state. It's a great opportunity for Ohio and Lakes Entertainment shareholders."

The 402,225 signatures are needed by August 6 to place the issue on the November 4, 2008 statewide ballot. (E-05.02.08)

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