Cincinnati Study Shows Casino Gambling Could Add 34,000 Jobs

With gambling expansion as the hot issue in the state of Ohio, many researchers are scrambling to piece together evidence of what the impact of casino expansion could mean to the state. The latest study comes from the University of Cincinnati's Economics Center for Education and Research.

The study has revealed that 34,000 jobs could be created if casinos were to be approved for Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. The economic impact would be even greater according to the study, with $11 billion being pumped into the economy.

Those are big numbers for a state that is currently experiencing sharp unemployment rate increases. Businesses that are struggling would receive a major boost if the casinos were to become a reality.

"I don't think there is any doubt that adding casinos in Ohio would be beneficial to many different industry's," said observer Darryl Braggs, "these studies are showing just how big of an impact would be made, and lawmakers would be foolish not to want that kind of help."

Lawmakers are squabbling over the casino gambling expansion issue. The House wants slot machines at state racetracks and casinos, while the Senate disapproves of both. They have not yet found a happy medium.

The economic impact on the four cities where casinos are being proposed would be $656 million for Cleveland, $302 million for Toledo, $504 million for Columbus, and $388 million for Cincinnati. That is according to the UC study.

Of the 34,000 jobs that would be created, 16,000 of those jobs would be permanent. The other 19,000 would come from the construction of the casinos in the four cities. Construction is expected to begin in 2010 if the casinos are approved, and the target date for opening would be in 2012.

July 7, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!