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Another Obstacle in Path of Expanded Ohio Gambling
COLUMBUS, OHIO --
Ohio seems to have one problem after another rise in the path of its gambling proposals, initiatives drawn up to help the state generate the revenue necessary to fund the state budget. Despite polls showing solid support by residents for both the governor's plan to install slots at race tracks and a ballot measure to license four casinos, opponents keep popping up to resist the proposals.
The latest distraction is a lawsuit filed by Charles Ruma, owner of the Beulah Park horse track, against Penn National Gaming. Ruma says the casino operating company breached a contract with him to purchase the track as long as it could contain at least 1200 slots.
Governor Ted Strickland issued an executive order placing as many as 2500 slots at each state race track in July, provided a licensing fee was paid.
Penn also agreed in the deal not to in any way oppose the slot installations, something which has been a matter of contention as state lawyers have accused Penn of funding lawsuits designed to block the track slots. While Penn would benefit from the track slots, it is also in the bidding for at least one of the casinos being voted upon come November.
Ruma says he is caught in the middle, with Penn no longer wanting to exercise its option on the race track, but unable to pay the $13 million down payment for licensing because the contract forbids him from taking on new debt.
Meanwhile, an anti-gambling political action committee is saying Penn has worded the casino bill in such a way as to avoid paying much of the tax proposed in the law, another charge Penn denies.
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