Anti-Gambling Group Pulls Petitions In Ohio, Slots Now In The Clear

Governor Steve Strickland and the lawmakers who created legislation allowing slots at state racetracks had been concerned that they may never see those slots installed. LetOhioVote launched a campaign to have the gambling issue placed on the ballot in November.

The group has felt that many questions were left unanswered by lawmakers in their creation of the law. LetOhioVote successfully supported their case and the state Supreme Court ruled in their favor. On Monday, the group withdrew their petitions asking for the vote.

The agreement that led to the pulling of the petitions was Governor Strickland's promise to seek a declaratory judgement that asks the courts to decide whether video slots are banned by the constitution, or legal because they are part of the state lottery.

Governor Strickland and legislators believe that the slots at racetracks could not only bring millions of dollars in revenue to Ohio, but also would help keep the tracks from succumbing to financial strains. The racing industry has been hit hard by the economy all across the US.

In Kentucky, lawmakers have been unwilling to add slots to legendary tracks such as Churchill Downs. Without the additional revenue from the slots, the tracks have already claimed they will have to cut back their racing schedules. The purses at the tracks have also been declining in recent years.

The seven tracks in Ohio would receive 17,500 video gambling machines under Strickland's plan. The Ohio Lottery Commission would be in charge of regulating the slots at the tracks. After the decision of LetOhioVote on Monday, many horsemen were relieved.

Last November, Ohio voters approved four casinos. It was the first time in history the residents of Ohio have backed a casino gambling plan after voting against such gambling expansion several times in the past decade.

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo will all have casinos built in the next couple of years. Thousands of employment opportunities will come from the construction and operation of the casinos.

June 28, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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