In November 2006 a ballot proposal to allow slot machines at Ohio’s racetracks failed to get approval. Governor Ted Strickland will now attempt to bypass the ballot in a bid to get video lottery terminals installed at the state’s seven racetracks. Gambling opponents have said they plan to contest the plan in court on the grounds that the Ohio constitution does not state that VLTs can be added to the games sponsored by the Ohio Lottery.

Supporters of expanded gambling in Ohio have pointed out that the constitution does not forbid additions either. The Ohio Racing Commission is pushing for up to 2,000 VLTs at each racetrack with half the profit going to Ohio’s schools. As the gaming machines would be connected to the lottery, the Commission believes that voter approval is not required. Governor Strickland was opposed to the idea but has now decided to back the plan, which could bring in approximately US$625 million a year by 2013 to direct towards public education.

Earlier this month a drive to get signatures for an initiative to allow four casinos in Ohio on the November ballot survived a legal challenge. Opponents claimed that some information about the effects and locations of the proposed casinos was false. However, the judge placed no restrictions on the signature gathering other than barring the petitioners “from misrepresenting the contents, purpose or effect” of the proposal.

The Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee has said it submitted over 850,000 signatures, more than double the necessary 402,275, to the Secretary of State’s office yesterday to get the casino question on the November ballot. The measure would permit casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati and Columbus. Many Ohio residents already travel to gamble at casinos in Indiana and West Virginia.
(E-06.26.09)

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