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Ohio Governor Reverses Course and Accepts Casino Gambling
COLUMBUS, OHIO --
With the state's budget deficit creating ever-more desperate circumstances, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland dropped his longtime opposition to expanded gambling within the state. Strickland announced at an evening press conference today that casino gaming may be the best hope to fill some of the $3.2 billion budget gap.
Both race tracks and private bar and restaurant owners are hungry for permission to install slot machines. A plan floated by the Ohio State Racing Commission would put casinos at the seven state animal racing tracks and create $175 million in upfront licensing charges.
An organization of bar and restaurant owners also want slots in their locations, adding 83,000 machines that would involve $133 million in licensing fees, with $50 million recurring each year. As much as $1.2 billion in revenue for schools could come from the plan.
Strickland verified in his press conference that either or both plans could be implemented until the Ohio Lottery, foregoing the need for a constitutional amendment. The governor also told reporters the state still faces severe spending cuts.
But given a choice between highly unpopular proposals to raise taxes and expanded gaming, Strickland knew his political future rested on rejecting tax raises and turning to gambling as a funding rescue plan.
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