Ohio casinos to hit Mich., Ind. gambling taxes

The Associated Press -

Nov-05-2009

Ohio casinos to hit Mich., Ind. gambling taxes

(topic overview)
CONTENTS:

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Just a day after voters approved expanded gambling in Ohio, the owners of casinos planned for Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo said they are anxious to get started. (More...)
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ohio voters opened the door to casinos on Tuesday, sparking a debate on whether the new gambling will help the state's ailing economy. (More...)
Gilbert will build and run casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland and Penn National will build and operate in Toledo and Columbus. (More...)
Ohio voters rejected expanded gaming four times before in the last 20 years prior to yesterday's vote. (More...)
Polls had shown that nearly 60 percent of the population favored implementing casino gambling, so the drop on voting day indicates a strong turnout by opponents of expanded gaming. (More...)
A predominately Republican Ohio legislature changed laws to allow Early Voting, they didn't foresee "Golden Week," which allowed new voters to register and vote on the same day. (More...)
Lawmakers agree that while Indiana made a flush of money in the past from gambling, the glory days are now coming to an end. (More...)
If the project stays on schedule, the casino in Columbus should open in late 2012. (More...)
According to opponents the amendment fails to set construction completion time frames. (More...)
In Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, a state senator who narrowly lost the attorney general's race to McDonnell four years ago, are running to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine. (More...)

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Just a day after voters approved expanded gambling in Ohio, the owners of casinos planned for Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo said they are anxious to get started. Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downtown, opened their state to casino gambling after an expensive campaign that promised thousands of new jobs. It marked a significant victory for Penn National Gaming Inc. and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who spent nearly $35 million promoting the four big-city casinos. [1] The approval of Issue 3 authorizes casino gaming for the first time in the State of Ohio. Issue 3 was primarily backed by Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC ("Rock"), a group led by Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Penn Ventures, LLC ("Penn"), a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. Lakes recently reached an agreement with Penn whereby it (1) agreed to fund 10% of Penn's costs of the Issue 3 referendum ("Referendum") and (2) has the option, but not the obligation, to fund up to 10% of equity required to develop potential casinos in Columbus and Toledo, in return for a corresponding equity stake up to 10% in such casinos. Lakes recently entered into an agreement with Rock whereby it has the right, but not the obligation, to invest up to 10% of Rock's costs of the Referendum and the equity required to develop potential casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati, in return for a corresponding equity stake of up to 10% in such casinos.[2] The developers who plan to build the Ohio casinos -- Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures partnership and Penn National Gaming Inc. ]] Penn National Gaming Inc. -- hope the facilities will open sometime in 2012, said Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for the pro-casino campaign Yes on Issue 3 ]] Yes on Issue 3. Normal 0 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia officials know Ohio casinos won't be good for the Mountain State's budget, but they say it's too soon to put a dollar amount on the damage.[3]

Farm interests seeking to avoid legislation sought by animal rights activists proposed the board. Several big-city mayor's seats are up for election as well, including those in Cincinnati and Cleveland. The casino campaign has been particularly nasty, fueled by tens of millions in spending by gambling rivals Penn National Gaming and MTR Gaming Inc. and their friends. The ballot issue asks voters to amend the Ohio Constitution on such casino issues as the parcels on which casinos could be built; how to distribute a 33 percent casino tax to counties, cities, schools and gambling regulation and addiction services; and the combined $300 million in ongoing state license fees and minimum initial investments required for each facility.[4] MTR Gaming Inc., which operates the popular Mountaineer Casino & Resort over the border in West Virginia, was a big loser in Tuesday's election. Jacobs spent $6 million on his aggressive campaign against the ballot measure in hopes of protecting MTR's interests both out of state and in Columbus, where it owns a struggling horse track. Gambling industry expert Jeffrey Hooke, of Hooke Associates, said Ohio casino licenses could have commanded from $350 million in Toledo to $700 million in Cleveland if they had been competitively bid.[5]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Arguments for and against casinos bombarded Ohioans via the airwaves, phone lines and news media for weeks. The state's first citizen, and the bearer of its most powerful bully pulpit, was largely out of sight and out of earshot. Strickland's face appeared on a mailer against the proposal to allow casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo, but he was far from loud in his opposition. He spoke at a rally and voiced a robo-call urging Ohioans to vote at the polls Tuesday for Issue 2, which would establish a board to oversee the care of livestock. "I think he's been very quiet throughout the campaign other than he did make the statement that he's opposed to it," said Tom Smith, public policy director for the Ohio Council of Churches, which asked for the governor's help in opposing the casinos. "He just never really followed up much on it." The governor was in a tight political spot after a slew of labor organizations, whose support Democrats need to get elected, endorsed the casino plan because of its promise of jobs. If Strickland were to aggressively oppose an issue they felt was important, it could hurt him both in terms of votes and campaign contributions when he runs for re-election in 2010. Strickland also spent a considerable amount of effort talking about gambling this year, switching his long-held anti-gambling stance to plug a budget hole by supporting slots at horse racing tracks — only to see the Ohio Supreme Court throw a wrench into those plans.[6] COLUMBUS, Ohio — The best way to solve Ohio's 10 percent unemployment rate was at the heart of Tuesday's election as voters decided whether to reverse their two-decade old opposition to gambling and support casinos and potential new jobs. A proposed constitutional amendment to allow casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo was the top issue this campaign season.[4] COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A day after voters approved Ohio casinos, a lawmaker says he will pursue a constitutional amendment to give the state a greater share of the proceeds. In a news conference today, Republican state Rep. Clyde Evans said he does not seek to undo yesterday's vote approving gambling venues for Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.[7] Pennsylvania now faces another threat: Ohio became the 13th U.S. state to allow casinos, as voters approved gaming halls in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo yesterday.[8]

Issue 3 -- casinos for Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo -- coasted to an easy 53-47 per cent win yesterday, a development that cannot be regarded with anything but concern for harness and thoroughbred racing in the state. The casinos are not likely to open before 2012, but they complicate the task of racing to win slots next year in another expensive effort. If opponents of Issue 3 were counting on four previous rejections of casinos by Ohio voters, they sadly miscalculated on the change in public attitudes and mores toward casino gaming.[9] Voters appoved Issue 3 allowing casinos to be built in Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus and the Queen City by a margin of 52% for, 48% against. With this vote, Ohio becomes the 13th state to permit full-blown casinos. The vote said as much about Ohio's desperation to create jobs in the Buckeye State as it does about their zeal for casinos and gambling.[10] The passage of State Issue 3 clears the way for casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo that promise thousands of jobs and millions of tax dollars.[11]

Penn National partnered with Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in an expensive ballot campaign that touted the jobs casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo would bring to a state where unemployment has topped 10 percent.[5] Tuesday's vote is a significant victory for Penn National Gaming Inc. and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. They spent nearly $35 million to promote four casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.[12] Penn and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert had spent millions trying to convince Ohio residents to vote in favor of establishing casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.[13]

The coalition pushing the bill was named Ohio Growth and Jobs to remind the electorate of the projected 34,000 jobs created by licensing the four casinos. State revenues will increase as local gamblers keep their money home, rather than carrying it to Indiana, West Virginia, or Michigan. "They wanted casinos in urban cores that would spark development, they wanted jobs, they wanted new construction, they wanted the taxes to stay local, and we're going to make sure it happens here," said Dan Gilbert, the founder of Quicken Loans, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a leading candidate for one of the casino licenses.[14] COLUMBUS -- Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said he would start first thing Wednesday making plans for the four casinos that Ohio voters wrote into the state Constitution.[15] A big mover behind the Ohio casino campaign is Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Michigan-based Quicken Loans Inc. and owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He said he remains committed to Detroit's development, as well as to Ohio's, and said Ohio voters showed they see casinos as "the right plan at the right time."[16]

Dan Gilbert, founder and chair of Quicken Loans and owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, said newly approved casinos in Ohio will create a 'healthy competition' in a gaming market that now spans the Great Lakes region.[17]

Detroit and Cleveland booster Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans, has pushed the measure's passage and is an investor in one of the Ohio casino proposals.[18]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ohio voters opened the door to casinos on Tuesday, sparking a debate on whether the new gambling will help the state's ailing economy. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said he was "personally disappointed" with the vote result, but acknowledged that voters were willing to take a chance on casinos due to the economic recession. "The voters have spoken and state leaders and legislators must now implement the constitutional amendment while making sure it benefits the people of this state and puts more Ohioans to work," the Democratic governor said in a statement. Ohio voters rejected casino measures on previous ballots, but the state's sagging economy, evidenced in a 10.1 percent jobless rate in September and sinking tax revenue, apparently changed their minds. [19] "If Issue 3 hadn't passed, the Ohio industry would have nothing going for it." The constitutional amendment passed Tuesday requires the four casinos to pay a small portion of the 33 percent they will pay as taxes on gaming revenues to the racetracks. That would mean a split of a projected $18 million among the commercial tracks and their purse pools. When asked if Penn National, which will operate two of the four casinos, would support VLTs at Ohio's tracks if a petition drive to put the VLT question on the Nov. 2010 ballot is successful, McLaughlin said, "I can't speak for Penn National, of course, but I know they have always supported racing and Raceway Park -- to the fullest extent."[20] Gilbert is a main investor in the casino plan. Passage of Issue 3 marked a significant victory for Gilbert and Penn National Gaming Inc., who spent nearly $35 million to persuade one of America's most stubborn anti-gambling states to change its mind. It marked the fifth time in 20 years a gambling expansion was proposed in the state, with all four previous attempts rejected.[15] Proponents of the measure, which included Penn National Gaming, have said the casinos will create 34,000 jobs, bring $200 million in licensing fees and generate an estimated $651 million annually in revenue for cash-strapped Ohio and its local governments and school districts. It's hard to see this as a "now" solution for Ohio's economy. Penn National is building two of the casinos, and they won't be done until 2012. "Two times since 2000 we've expanded gambling in Ohio and we have not hit the revenue projections once," he said, pointing to the introduction of video Keno games and the Mega-Millions lottery.[21] A spokesman for Penn National did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rob Walgate, vice president of Ohio Roundtable, a public policy group that opposed the casino measure, questioned whether the casinos would fulfill their financial promise. "Two times since 2000 we've expanded gambling in Ohio and we have not hit the revenue projections once," he said, pointing to the introduction of video Keno games and the Mega-Millions lottery.[19]

Before voting on November 3, there were several advertisements that were put out by politicians as well as Penn National gaming Inc. about how passing issue 3 in Ohio will bring thousands of jobs to the state. Being from a suburb of one of the cities that will be getting a new casino, I don't see this issue 3 passing as a positive thing. For anybody who did their research before voting they would know that this is simply not just introducing these 4 Ohio casinos.[22] NEW YORK -- Shares of slot machine makers and casino operator Penn National Gaming Inc. climbed Wednesday after Ohio voters approved the addition of four casinos, which will mean more business for the companies.[13] NEW YORK, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Four new casinos Ohio voters approved could drain profits from similar resorts in nearby states and hit the U.S. market as gaming demand continues to decline, a credit agency said on Wednesday.[23]

States continue to pile on more forms of gambling, mainly because other states continue to pile on more forms of gambling. Ohio's neighbor Kentucky failed to approve slots this year, but now that Ohio will has changed its mind, you can bet a few votes in Kentucky will suddenly change. Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, said he "detests gaming as a source of revenue," but it's the only option besides raising taxes. I found it interesting that on the same day that Ohio approved casinos, voters in Maine and Washington turned down spending limits on their state governments.[21] Slots revenue at Pennsylvania's casinos increased nearly 32 percent last month from a year ago, but new gambling competition is now looming in Ohio after voters there approved a referendum in yesterday's election.[8]

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio voters have approved the opening of casinos in Toledo and three other cities, leaving officials and gambling interests in neighboring Indiana and Michigan worried that millions of dollars in gambling revenues — and taxes — are at risk.[16] DETROIT - Ohio voters have given their blessing to the opening of casinos in Toledo and three other cities, and that has Michigan officials and gambling interests paying close attention. They're asking if Detroit's lucrative $1.3 billion annual casino cash cow is at risk. Detroit's casinos draw on thousands of Ohio visitors, and parts of Michigan are closer to Toledo than Detroit. Detroit and Michigan draw get hundreds of millions of dollars from casino taxes, and any loss of customers could hurt their already depressed revenues.[24]

"Regardless of what is going on in Ohio, we believe that customers will continue to visit MotorCity because of the unique, high-quality products and services," said Jacci Woods, a spokeswoman for the Detroit casino. Gambling industry analyst Jake Miklojcik (mik-LOH'-jik) said Detroit risks a hemorrhage of Michigan gamblers as well as those who now visit from Ohio. At MotorCity Casino, patron Greg Romps said he would probably sample Ohio's casinos, especially the one planned for nearby Toledo. "These new casinos are so nice. They make them like Vegas," said Romps, 67, of Livonia, Mich. Kenley said voter approval of the Ohio establishments would increase pressure on Indiana lawmakers to do something to keep the state's casinos competitive, including restructuring the way they are taxed. Smith suggested lawmakers approve tax credits for casino investments to help them become more regional resort locations.[16] Richard Hickman says with gambling revenues at risk of leaking across the border to Ohio-- one of the four Ohio casino locales is nearby Toledo'''he figures the pressure will mount on Indiana lawmakers to counter the actions of Ohio voters, by allowing a casino license transfer to Northeast Indiana.[25] Ohio voters have given their approval to open four casinos in their state. That means competition for Indiana and a loss of revenue for Hoosier casinos, especially those along the Ohio border.[26]

There is a loophole. These casinos pay no taxes on profits from cash wagering. Ohio is losing out big time on millions of dollars from this loophole, which most Ohio voters didn't realize was there. The extra tax that these Ohio casinos has to pay is only 33% while in other states it is anywhere from 50%-60%. This low of an amount may not be enough revenue to even see a change.[22] "The state is still facing a billion-dollar hole in (this year's) budget and the next, and we've heard that the governor is still committed to putting slots at the tracks," Knappenberger said. "(Tuesday's vote) does not necessarily kill VLTs, but there are too many moving parts at this time to know what's going to happen." The moving parts have to do with how lawmakers will react to having to find revenue to close the large, near-term budget gap; the talk in the legislature of asking voters to again modify the constitution to increase casino taxes; and an upcoming decision by the Ohio Supreme Court that will determine whether the governor can simply mandate VLTs at tracks under the authority he already has to direct the operations of the Ohio Lottery.[20] After years of resistance, Ohio voters finally gave in, approving casino gambling in the state yesterday. Today, some Kentuckians are seeing this move as yet another sign Kentucky needs to get in on the gaming action. This year the horse industry lobbied heavily for expanded gaming in the form of slots at race tracks and lost.[27]

All four previous efforts met defeat despite heavy spending by supporters and favorable pre-election polling, according to news reports. Gilbert and Penn National Gaming, a Pennsylvania-based gambling company, spent nearly $35 million to persuade Ohio voters to write their proposal into the state constitution.[28] Tim Wilmott, the President of Penn National, the gaming company partnered with Gilbert, said, "We look forward to building four, world-class casinos in the state of Ohio."[11]

Penn National Gaming Inc. president Dan Wilmott showed off the site where a 300,000-square-foot Hollywood Casino-Columbus employing 2,000 people is expected to materialize by the end of 2012. "I know there's been a lot of things said by the opposition, a lot of mistruths, a lot of blatant lies about what the casino will bring to the city of Columbus, to the state of Ohio," he said.[5] Gilbert has promised to begin groundbreaking on the $600 million Cleveland casino during the second half of next year. He also has the rights to the Cincinnati casino while Penn National Gaming inc. will construct the establishments in Columbus and Toledo.[29] According to a report from the Indiana Legislative Services Agency, the state could lose $100 million in gambling taxes during the first year that casinos are open in Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati and Columbus. "We rely in Indiana a great deal upon out of state players both in the northwest and on the southern borders," said Ernest Yelton, Executive Director of the Indiana Gaming Commission.[26] The analysis released Oct. 19 by the Indiana Legislative Services Agency, the General Assembly's nonpartisan research arm, predicts that three casinos in southeastern Indiana — which rely heavily on patrons from the Cincinnati area — would be hit the hardest. The Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun and Belterra Casino near Vevay — all downstream from Cincinnati — could lose 38 percent of their admissions and $260 million in gambling revenues in the first year after the Ohio casinos open, amounting to a $93 million cut in the taxes they pay, according to the report.[16] A newly released report by the Indiana Legislative Services Agency predicted that state would be hard hit by casinos in Ohio, losing $93 million in gambling taxes based on revenues in the first year alone.[5]

Last year gambling taxes pumped $875 million into the state's general budget. That's about seven percent of the general fund. Some Indiana casinos have already started making upgrades to their facilities and programming in anticipation of the Ohio competition.[26]

"We are pleased that the voters of Ohio approved Mr. Gilbert's and Penn's casino plan which is expected to bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to the State of Ohio," said Tim Cope, president of Lakes Entertainment. There is still much work to do before these casinos become a reality, but we believe this investment will add value to our company which will benefit our shareholders for many years to come."[2] Gilbert was a main investor and backer of Ohio's referendum that voters approved Tuesday to allow the creation of four casinos, one each in Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.[17] COLUMBUS (BP)--By a 53-47 margin, voters in Ohio approved a ballot initiative Nov. 3 to allow casino gambling in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.[28] Nearly 53 percent of Ohio voters supported the measure on Tuesday's state-wide ballot to allow casinos in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo, according to the secretary of state's office.[19] Ohio voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment to allow casinos to be built in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.[3] MINNEAPOLIS--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: LACO) today announced that on November 3, 2009, the Ohio voters approved Issue 3, the citizen-initiated referendum to amend the Ohio constitution to authorize one gaming facility in each of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo, Ohio.[2] COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Supporters of gambling in Ohio rolled the dice and came up big winners on Tuesday as Ohio voters approved Issue 3, 10TV's Kurt Ludlow reported.[30]

By passing Issue 3 from the ballot yesterday, Ohio voters have told the state that they want Ohio casino gambling.[31] U.S. Sen. George Voinovich was a staunch opponent of Issue 3 and four previous gambling proposals. He's "disappointed" in the voters' decision. He predicts the measure will create great harm in Ohio, especially in poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Cleveland. He vows to be a "conscience," to make sure casino developers deliver what they promised.[11]

Gov. Steve Beshear said Wednesday the Kentucky General Assembly needs to pass the video lottery terminal bill he proposed earlier this year so the state doesn't lose gambling money to Ohio, where voters on Tuesday authorized four casinos.[32] COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State Rep. Clyde Evans (R-87), a term-limited House member representing a block of counties in Appalachia in southern Ohio, held a media event Wednesday, one day after Ohio voters opened the door to casino gambling, announcing a bill he will introduce that he says will not change in any way the casino services that Ohioans voted for yesterday, but which will "only provide our friends and families with the fairness that they deserve."[33] COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downturn have approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades.[12] FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Gov. Steve Beshear says now's the time for Kentucky to act on approving expanded gambling, a day after Ohio voters approved casinos in four cities.[34]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A day after voters approved Casinos in Ohio, Penn National president Tim Wilmott toured the 27-acre area in Columbus where his casino will sit.[35] "I think the voters of Ohio spoke yesterday. They knew what the issues are. They saw a lot of information, pro and con. It's now time to move on and begin work to create jobs," said Penn National President Tim Wilmott. Businesses in the Arena Distirct hope to benefit from casino crowds, but admit they are not sure how successful they will be. Dale's deli is just down the street from the casino site but owner Travis Dale said he has doubts casino customers will patronize his deli much.[30]

One of the most outspoken supporters of Issue 3 was Cleveland Cavalier's owner Dan Gilbert. He along with Penn National Gaming Inc. spent approximately $35 million on their campaign to pass the issue.[29] The pro-casino group, headed by Dan Gilbert, president of an online mortgage firm and majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, and Penn National Gaming, which operates Toledo's Raceway Park, spent a reported $34 million on the campaign -- compared to an estimated $6 million spent by opponents.[20]

Gilbert will build and run casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland and Penn National will build and operate in Toledo and Columbus. [20]

The new casinos planned for Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, are expected to offer the same kinds of games as existing resorts in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan, Moody's said in a statement. These states might be pressured "to legalize expanded types of gaming just to stay competitive and keep customers within their borders," said Keith Foley, a Moody's analyst. "It appears the U.S. gaming pie is not getting bigger, and the slices continue to get smaller," he said.[23] The issue amends the state Constitution by authorizing casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo, sets a 33 percent tax rate and outlines how the money will be distributed.[15]

The Ohio referendum authorized four new casinos ' one each in Cincinnati, Toledo, Columbus and Cleveland. They are expected to open in 2012.[32] COLUMBUS, Ohio - Developers of four new Ohio casinos looked eagerly to the future Wednesday, even as opponents concocted plans to stymie their efforts and surrounding states braced for economic losses.[36] INDIANAPOLIS -- Developers of four new Ohio casinos are looking eagerly to the future, while surrounding states, like Indiana, are bracing for economic losses. Casinos there could seriously damage Indiana's casinos and the hundreds of millions of dollars they pour into the state treasury every year, 6News' Norman Cox. "The studies that we had done, as well as legislative services, show that it's going to have a pretty good impact," said Mike Smith, executive director of the Indiana Casino Association.[37]

State government is hemorrhaging tax revenues because of the recession, and there is research saying the Ohio casinos will cost Indiana 100-million a year in gaming tax income.[25] If successful, Evans hopes to win the open 17th senate district seat being vacated by Republican Senator John Carey of Wellston in southern Ohio. "Proposing to amend Section 6 of Article XV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to require the General Assembly to allow casino facilities at locations that the General Assembly designates, to require that license for these casino facilities be awarded by competitive bidding by the State Lottery Commission, to require voter approval of the operation of a casino facility in the county of municipal corporation in which the casino facility is located, to require that a tax of sixty percent be levied and collected by the state on all gross casino revenue receive by each casino facility operator, and to require that half of the proceeds of this tax be used solely for the support of elementary, secondary, vocational, special education programs and half to be used solely for students attending career colleges, community, technical and private regionally accredited colleges and schools as determined in appropriations made by the General Assembly."[33] The pro-casino campaign had focused on the state's economic difficulties, promising to create new jobs and calling for each casino to pay a $50 million license fee and a 33 percent tax on gross revenue to be divided among local governments.[28] Ohio voters appeared to pass the referendum in part because it is expected to bring jobs and $650 million in annual tax revenue to the state, mostly for local governments.[13]

"Rejection of spending limits in Maine and Washington hint that voters may not be overly concerned with growth in government spending, despite a huge expansion in federal spending over the last year," said a report by Ballotwatch, an election tracker based at the University of Southern California's Initiative & Referendum Institute. Ohio voters, after turning down casinos in previous elections, changed their minds as the state struggles with sinking revenue due to the economic recession.[38]

Anti-gambling factions in Ohio have managed to rally enough voters to polls to prevent the state from legalizing casino gaming for over twenty years, but times have changed for the Buckeye State.[14] The face of gaming in Ohio changed substantially when voters wrote the opening of four casinos into the state's constitution on Tuesday.[20]

Anti-gambling activist David Zanotti of the Ohio Policy Roundtable said the state's 10 percent unemployment rate made voters more receptive to an onslaught of television advertising promising that the new casinos would create 34,000 jobs. "It's pretty obvious that the Ohio electorate bought into the whole culture of despair that's going on with the economy," Zanotti told the Associated Press.[28] Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downturn vote 'yes' to casinos tied to new jobs after a fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades.[15]

Ohio voters on Tuesday will decide whether the recession is a powerful enough force to bring casino gambling to their state.[39] CHICAGO (Reuters) - Voters in the U.S. states of Maine and Washington on Tuesday rejected measures to limit spending, while Ohio's ailing economy swayed residents to approve casino gambling.[38] Ohio voters had previously rejected legalizing casinos but the state's sagging economy appeared to have helped supporters win over naysayers in Tuesday's vote.[23]

Northern Kentucky's Turfway Park, which is owned by Keeneland and Harrah's, will have to go head-to-head with a new casino in Cincinnati slated to open in 2012. "It puts another casino directly in our marketplace to further exacerbate the situation we have with the existing mature casino environment," said Bob Elliston, Turfway Park president. "That's 12 out of 12 states that we compete with, and here Kentucky is and we haven't taken any action." Tuesday's Ohio vote makes it more likely the state will vote next to put slots at its racetracks, which were left out of the referendum. "If they move forward with that. that puts two additional competitors in our marketplace," Elliston said.[40] Over the past four months, Beshear appointed Charlie Borders to the Public Service Commission and Dan Kelly to an open judgeship. "They never had 20 votes and they don't have 20 votes now," Williams said. Kentucky race track and horse owners said now that casinos are legal in Ohio, they need slots machines at race tracks to remain competitive.[40]

By next November construction of the casinos in the four major cities will be well underway, and voters will either decide that'''s enough, or feel that if the casinos are being built there will be no reason to oppose slots at the tracks as well. The mayor of Columbus, Michael B. Coleman, who like the governor opposed Issue 3, said he hopes the legislature would step in, but action there would require a three-fifths majority to put a constitutional amendment on a May ballot next spring, and there may be no legislative appetite in view of the solid voice of the voters of the state.[9] At a press conference today, Representative Clyde Evans (R-87th District) proposed another constitutional amendment that, among other things, would change the revenue percentage that the state will receive from casino profits. It would also suspend the locations of the casinos. Evans suggested that many voters did not read the language before they voted. "Of the people I've talked to they didn't," Evans told Heath. "They were shocked when I told them a lot of the things in the bill." The governor and legislative leaders have not said whether they support Evans proposal. It would take a three-fifths majority of the legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the May, 2010 ballot.[35]

This is the fifth time that Ohio has included an issue on the ballot on whether casinos should be allowed in the state. This time around people fell for the misleading advertisements playing towards their emotions about bringing jobs to Ohio.[22] After a campaign that topped 2008's $40 million in presidential campaign spending, the pro-casino Ohio Jobs & Growth Committee turned around an historically anti-gambling state that had rejected expanded gambling four times in the past 20 years.[5]

Good response Jon - Tiffany is totally clueless when it comes to reporting facts. How can she claim to be a freelance writer/journalist if she cannot even state facts - Jon's comments are factual - Tiffany's are outright lies! It is unbelievable that opponents of issue 3 had resorted to outrageous lies in this campaign. Jeff Jacobs owns his own casinos out of state and yet spent millions to run ads claiming that they will bring in crime and prostitution - what does that say about his operation? Folks, this issue is about money only and at least Ohio will bnefit for a change.[22] The passing of Ohio's issue 3 creates a monopoly for out of state casino owners. These casino owners only care about their money and not about the state of Ohio.[22]

Ohioans passed the casino proposal -- called Issue 3 -- with 53 percent of the vote, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's Web site.[3] Issue 3, which would allow one Las Vegas-style casino to be built in each of Ohio's four largest cities, passed with 53 percent of the vote.[41]

Ohio issue 3 bans all other types of gambling in the state including fundraisers from schools or churches called "casino night" or "night at the races."[22] The Ohio AFL-CIO, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the United Food and Commercial Workers are just a few of the labor organizations that lined up behind the casino plan, a marked reversal for labor from past gambling issues.[6]

"There were a lot of people -- at least lawmakers in the state of Indiana -- watching the results in Ohio," said Rep. Randy Borror. That's because the casinos opening in Ohio will deal a blow to future state budgets in Indiana. State lawmakers wrangled with passing one this year, just narrowly escaping a statewide government shutdown, and they relied partly on gambling dollars to put that budget together.[42] Four casinos opening in the Buckeye state means some people who have been coming to Indiana to gamble will likely stay in Ohio, and some Hoosiers may gamble there as well.[42] A long battle over casino gambling in Ohio appears to have gone to pro-gaming forces as residents elected to create four casino licenses in the state.[14] 53 percent of voters elected to establish four casino licenses in Ohio's four biggest cities.[14] After similar proposals failed miserably over the past 20 years, voters in Ohio have succeeded in amending the constitution to allow four casinos to be built, including one right here in Cincinnati.[10] Ohio voters on Tuesday passed a referendum that would allow casinos in four cities, including Cincinnati.[40]

Ohio voters will decide next week whether to allow casino gambling and both sides have spent millions of dollars trying to convince folks that they're right.[43] LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Ohio voters reversed their two-decade old opposition to gambling and voted Tuesday to support casinos.[41]

One should also realize that casinos will not go up overnight in Ohio. It might take at least a year or two before temporary casinos had a chance to open. This gives the Michigan casinos more time to enlarge their regular client base, and to spend as much time and money as possible to point out to those that live in Ohio should consider gambling in Detroit. This also gives the Detroit area casinos a lot of time to plan their attack for once the Ohio casinos finally open their doors.[31] Ted Gatzaros, a Detroit businessman and early investor in the Greektown Casino, downplayed any impact. He said Detroit casinos might lose 5% of their trade to the Ohio casinos once they open, including the one in Toledo. 'Toledo obviously is not exactly a prosperous town where people are coming here to spend their money,' he said.[17]

In an ad in heavy rotation in Toledo, a voice talks about money going to casino interests outside Ohio, including to "political insiders like the mayor of Detroit."[43]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State lawmakers from the Miami Valley said they want Ohio to get more tax money from the casinos.[44] Republican state lawmakers unhappy with the vote began work immediately on a 2010 ballot measure, however. State Rep. Clyde Evans said he plans a constitutional amendment that makes changes to the terms of the casino deal, including increasing the tax rate from 33 percent to 60 percent. That measure would need approval by a Legislature where political control is mixed.[5] Lawmakers are talking about changing the constitutional amendment approved by voters. State Rep. Jarrod Martin, a Republican from Beavercreek said, "Oh, I think this is just the beginning." Martin said it is unfair that the casino companies wrote their own deal on taxes and regulation.[44]

Just a day after Issue 3 voters passed the issue, lawmakers are already talking about making changes to the casino plan. Their motivation is to get a better deal for taxpayers and the state.[44] State Rep. Lou Blessing, a Republican who opposed Issue 3, announced plans for a ballot initiative in the spring that would amend the plan to collect more taxes from the casinos and put the licenses up for bid. --30-- Compiled by Baptist Press assistant editor Mark Kelly.[28] Tuesday's vote may not be the end of the story, however. State Rep. Lou Blessing, a Republican who fought the plan, said he plans to push a ballot issue next May that amends elements of the plan, collects more taxes from the casinos, and put the licenses up for bid.[15]

A plan to push a new ballot issue next year is already in the works. It will add protections to the casino gambling amendment including tax collection increases and mandated background checks on potential casino owners.[29] Evans says the ballot issue's 33 percent tax rate on casinos amounts to a raw deal for Ohio at a time of economic distress.[7] "As a result of the passage of Issue 3, there will be a great deal of pain and suffering in Ohio. I feel for the families of those who will experience casinos for the first time in their lives and, once lured in, will become addicted to gambling."[5]

Politicians in Ohio and Cleveland might be feeling a bit more pressure today to develop alternatives to casino gambling to solve economic woes as the closest casino attraction yet to Northeast Ohio opened just about an hour and half away in Presque Isle, Pennsylvania. The title of "Sexiest Woman Alive" is being given out by Esquire Magazine in its newest issue.[22]

Gambling analyst Andrew Zarnett of Deutsche Bank AG said the addition of Ohio would "cannibalize gaming revenues at West Virginia, southern Indiana, and Western Pennsylvania properties" - including the Meadows and Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.[8] Ohio would become the 39th state to legalize casinos if the measure were approved and would join neighboring casino states Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.[4] Maryland voters approved slot-machine gambling in November. Pennsylvania opened its first casino in 2006, and slots revenues are climbing there. Both competition and the economy have hit West Virginia lottery revenue, Muchow said.[3] Voters approved amending the Ohio Constitution with details on where casinos could be built and how to distribute generated tax revenues to various agencies.[12]

A legislative report last month said Indiana could lose as much as $103 million in tax revenue if casinos become a reality in Ohio.[19] An industry report recently given to the Legislature projects revenue losses of around $250 million for the three southeast Indiana casinos, which would reduce state revenues $100 million a year. "Trying to take $100 million out of this budget is a daunting task, at best," said Rep. Randy Borror, R-Ft. Wayne.[37] The state took a $121 million share of the Detroit casinos' $1.36 billion in revenues last year.[16]

PhillyPark, which opens a $250 million expanded facility next month, took in $29.6 million, up 8.8 percent from a year ago. It was followed by another Philadelphia suburban casino, Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, which reported a 3.8 percent increase in slots revenue to $25.6 million.[8] Led by PhiladelphiaPark Casino & Racetrack in Bensalem, the state's nine operating casinos produced $177.1 million in gross slots revenue, compared with $134.2 million in October 2008.[8]

Hoosier Park's casino in Anderson, about 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis, would lose gambling customers to a new Toledo casino, costing the state another $9 million, it said. "They're going to get smacked and I'm not sure what the right solution is for them," Indiana Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "It is a big hit, a significant hit," said Mike Smith, president of the Casino Association of Indiana.[16] Democrat legislator Win Moses says over-saturation of gambling is a bigger problem all the time, and that it is cutting off the revenue potential of new gaming operations. State Rep. Win Moses/(D) Fort Wayne: " The gravy days of taking money in from casinos is over, and those that want to bring a casino here, need to recognize that the world has changed dramatically and it's unlikely to be financially successful."[25]

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry seems undeterred by the Ohio development. He conceded on Tuesday that the new competition from Ohio won'''t help Fort Wayne'''s chances of getting a gaming operation, but he maintains his support for a casino referendum, giving local voters the right to say if they want a casino here or not.[25] Voters believed the casinos will help solve Ohio's budget problems ''' the casinos are expected to operate under a 33 percent gaming tax.[41] Evans wants a 60 percent tax rate. Officials from Penn National Gaming, which will build the casinos, have scheduled a news conference for this afternoon.[7] Demolition equipment is already on site in Columbus, where an old factory will be torn down to build the casino. During a news conference at the construction site, the top managers of Penn National Gaming promised they will be working with the community in Columbus and at their other site in Toledo to produce a top notch entertainment product.[1] Penn National Gaming' multi-million dollar gamble to bring a casino here paid off, despite the fact that Columbus voters opposed the plan.[30]

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Penn National Gaming's (PENN) stock rose 8% to $28.31 in early trading Wednesday as the regional casino operator stands to gain from a vote.[45]

Robert LaFleur of Susquehanna Financial Group said Penn could see $90 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from the two Ohio casinos, which could add 80 cents per share to the stock.[13] Hoosier Park and Racing Casino in Anderson could lose about $10 million per year to Ohio casinos.[26]

In all, more than $40.6 million was spent in the Ohio battle over casino gambling -- exceeding the $40.1 million Barack Obama and John McCain spent trying to win votes there in 2008.[28] Casinos will open in Ohio and will take a projected $100 million out of Indiana.[42] A report released last month by the Indiana Legislative Services Agency predicted the competition from Ohio would lead to the state losing more than $100 million of that slice of the gambling pie.[16]

The county ran out of ballots around 5 p.m. and had to turn away some voters. Poll workers contacted them and asked them to return after printing more ballots. The casino fight attracted more than $40.6 million in spending this year -- more than the $40.1 million presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain spent trying to win the pivotal swing state in 2008.[15] In Texas, voters approved all the state-wide proposals on Tuesday's ballot. They included a proposal to create a national research university fund to help state institutions. Another allows the Veterans' Land Board to replace retired voter-authorized general obligation bonds to help ex-military members buy homes without seeking voter approval. Other ballot questions that passed were whether to allow Texas to fund and run veterans' hospitals and whether to enable municipalities or counties to issue debt to buy space that surrounds military installations. There were only 26 state-wide measures on ballots this year compared to 34 in the last odd-year election in 2007, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.[38] Ohio voters also passed Issue 1, which will pay bonuses of up to $1,000 to war veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq. It was approved by 72 percent of voters, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.[15] Ohio voters also approved selling $200 million of bonds to provide services and compensation to residents who are veterans of conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq.[38]

Ohio voters rejected expanded gaming four times before in the last 20 years prior to yesterday's vote. [27] Apparently weary from the recession, the people of Ohio have changed their minds about slot machines. After rejecting casinos four times in the past 19 years, yesterday Ohioans voted to allow them in four cities.[21] Ohio looks to have casinos on the ballot for the third time in November of 2008. This is a review of the Double JJ Resort in Michigan. The Double JJ is a western-themed resort offering activities such as golf, horseback riding, skiing and snow shoeing. In November of this year they plan to open an indoor waterpark.[31] The peak days of casino revenue are probably over," said Rep. Moses. It'll still be a few years before those Ohio casinos open for business.[42] "We believe that Ohio casinos would have a minimal impact on our revenue," said Jamaine Dickens, spokesman for Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage Inc., which owns MGM Grand Detroit. He said Ohioans account for 7 percent of its revenue.[16] Casino experts said the Ohio gaming sites eventually will draw away some business from Detroit casinos, but how much is a matter of debate. Gilbert said in a statement released by his office that Detroit casinos will remain strong. 'They will certainly pose healthy competition to Ohio casinos and make for an even more robust entertainment, nightlife and retail product throughout the Great Lakes region,' he said.[17]

Normal 0 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia officials know Ohio casinos won't be good for the Mountain State's budget, but they say it's too soon to put a dollar amount on the damage.[3] Revenue from table games and slots at the four racetracks made up about 59 percent of the Lottery's $1.49 billion in gross sales for the fiscal year that ended last June 30, West Virginia Lottery spokeswoman Nancy Bulla said. She emphasized that it is too soon to say how much business West Virginia could lose to Ohio. "We understand it will have an impact in West Virginia, but to what degree, we don't know," she said.[3] "Ohio citizens are going to reap the benefits of thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. Ohio's decision reinforces the urgency to pass the video lottery terminal bill I proposed earlier this year."[40] Beshear says Ohio residents are going to be reaping the benefits of thousands of new jobs and millions in new tax dollars.[34]

FRANKFORT--Gov. Steve Beshear and some of the state's leading Democrats say Kentucky needs to pass legislation this winter to expand gambling or risk losing millions of dollars and thousands of jobs to Ohio.[40]

Whether the promise will ever materialize, and without estimating the potential thousands of jobs that may be lost in the racing and breeding industries in the state, the issue that created four casinos passed by a 53 to 47 percent margin.[20] The University of Cincinnati jobs study predicted 39,251 jobs and $4 billion in overall economic impact from the four casino sites.[4]

The Ohio Jobs & Growth Committee commissioned a University of Cincinnati study that found casinos would create almost 40,000 full-time and temporary jobs.[4]

Elizabeth Groen, 56, voting in the Cincinnati suburb of Anderson Township Tuesday morning, supports casinos. "They are going everywhere else," Groen said. "It's time that Ohio gets on board." At a Columbus polling location blocks away from a proposed casino site, Chris Protopapas said he voted against the casino on moral grounds.[4] The measure, which passed with nearly 53 percent of the vote, allows casinos in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.[38] The measure will allow casino construction to begin in the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.[29]

Penn will be allowed to operate casinos in Cincinnati and Toledo while Gilbert will run the casinos in Cleveland and Columbus.[41]

Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and proposed part-owner of the yet-to-come casinos, indicated that work will begin immediately on pre-construction development and architectural plans. Gilbert, who will own both the Cleveland and Cincinnati casinos, gave only a small indication of what to expect at Broadway Commons in the years to come.[10] "Let's start lighting it up like Las Vegas," Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and a main investor in the casino plan, said to reporters after the statewide vote.[28]

Labor unions that have opposed gambling issues in the past were convinced by the issue's key backer, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, that the promise of jobs were legitimate and offered key grassroots support.[4] Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, left, is congratulated by Tom Whatman, who ran the campaign team for Issue 3 Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, in Cleveland.[5] Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, left, celebrates the passing of Issue 3.[29]

CLEVELAND -- Dan Gilbert's plan for a deluxe casino in Cleveland is about to go from a rendering to a reality.[11]

The Greater Cleveland Partnership's Joe Roman says the'casino construction will join with building the Medical Mart and Flats East Bank projects to create a downtown building boom. He says casino revenues will boost a newly-restructured, reformed Cuyahoga County government'approved by voters. "We overuse the phrase 'game changer.' But this is one because it really does orient this county on a growth plan with new revenues to get there, " he said.[11] The amendment paves the way for casino plans in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.[42] The Columbus casino will have the same types of gaming and restaurants, but for now, no hotel. Total investment between this site and the one in Toledo will be an estimated $600 million.[1] MTR Gaming Group, a West Virginia company that owns a racetrack in Columbus, had spent $6 million opposing the casino initiative.[28]

Indiana's casinos pay more than $900 million in state and local taxes annually.[16] The first money that will be realized by the state from the casino amendment will come when licenses are issued and will be in the form of a one-time fee of $50 million per license.[10] The casino came in seventh among the state's nine casinos last month, taking in $16 million.[8]

Mayor Tom Henry has been pushing for a casino license in Fort Wayne. His office says that could generate a $500 million investment, create quote "hundreds of jobs" and generate $15 to $20 million dollars a year in revenue.[42] Michigan tourism leaders were also keeping close watch on behalf of Detroit, where casinos bring in $1.3 billion a year with the help with thousands of Ohio gamblers.[5] WASHINGTON -- Ohio will decide on a casino proposal that could have huge ramifications for Detroit, and other states will decide races for governor and Congress and weigh in on gay marriage.[18] While that's still just a talking point among city and state leaders, if a Fort Wayne casino opens, it would likely be negatively impacted by a casino in Ohio or one of the other three cites in Ohio. Fort Wayne is pushing on to get its slice of the pie. '''We watched the results of that election and obviously the Mayor was happy that the citizens of Ohio got their chance to vote in a referendum and he's still pushing to get that here.[42] We plan to open in May and go from there," Cahill said. "We're hoping that now that Ohioans have said they want gaming that it will be a positive thing, and that we'll be able to move forward." Jerry Knappenberger, general manager of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, observed that Tuesday's vote did one thing: It blew a big hole in Ohio's biennial budget, closed in part this summer when Gov. Ted Strickland put VLT revenue in -- before it was then thrown out by the Ohio Supreme Court.[20] The group which successfully opposed Gov. Ted Strickland's approval of video lottery terminals at the Ohio tracks in the Ohio Supreme Court, LetOhioVote.org, has said that it will easily meet the Dec. 18 deadline to gather 421,000 voter signatures. If they do, the question of putting VLTs at the tracks will be put before voters next November. Last week, Steve McCoy, president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, said he believed that "a majority" of the state's seven racetracks could close if Issue 3 were to pass.[20] Issue 3 snapped an 18 year losing streak for gambling initiatives in the State of Ohio.[29] Backers say it could produce 40,000 full-time and part-time jobs; critics, however, are dubious of that position. It's the most divisive election day topic; more was spent in the state on the gambling proposal than during 2008's hotly contested presidential contest. It is the fifth gambling proposal Ohio voters have seen in 20 years. They roundly rejected the others.[4] The election marked the fifth time gambling had been proposed to Ohio voters in 20 years. They roundly rejected the others.[41]

As an Ohio voter I think its important to look at this not as an alternative to raising taxes but as a way to stop $1 Billion dollars/per year from driving across the river'lake into KY, IN or up to Windsor.[21]

Opponents of Ohio Issue 6 would like voters to believe Indian casinos will arrive and allow the voted-upon casino to pay zero taxes.[31] With the issue 3 Ohio 2009 results it appears that Ohio casinos will be making an appearance soon.[31] Some of the most outspoken Issue 3 opponents see Ohio casinos as an inevitability but won't consider a compromise although it would be easier and less economically taxing than endless months of paid petitioning, paid campaigning and voting.[22]

"Many Issue 3 supporters genuinely believe it will help Ohio's economic recovery. I hope they are right. I fear they are wrong," Theis said, according to the AP. "Issue 3 is riddled with loopholes that will shortchange Ohio, muzzle the casino watchdogs and exempt cash wagers from the taxes casinos pay."[28]

Ohio's obesity issue sort of trumps any casino deal, so put some effort into something that will actually help people.[22] "Issue 3 is riddled with loopholes that will shortchange Ohio, muzzle the casino watchdogs and exempt cash wagers from the taxes casinos pay."[15]

Ohioans make up about 45 percent of Mountaineer's and Wheeling Island's patrons combined, lottery officials said. Representatives from those facilities did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday. Dan Adkins, vice president of Tyner & Hartman Inc., which owns Tri-State Casino & Resort ]] Tri-State Casino & Resort, said he isn't worried the Ohio decision will hurt the Nitro track. "I'm not concerned at all about competition with Ohio," he said. "Where those casinos are located, I don't think it will have an impact."[3] They have pointed to the fact that there are many residents that come up from Ohio to gamble in Detroit. While this is an obvious assumption, these news sources have not been able to give any kind of numbers that would support this claim. On the flip side, these news organizations have not mentioned the fact that competition usually brings about improvement, especially in the field of casinos.[31] Lakes is also involved in other business activities, including the development of new table games for licensing to Tribal and non-Tribal casinos. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Lakes Entertainment, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities as well as other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of regulation (including gaming and tax regulation) and competition. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, need for potential future financing to meet Lakes' development needs; those relating to the inability to complete or possible delays in completion of Lakes' casino projects, including various regulatory approvals and numerous other conditions which must be satisfied before completion of these projects; possible termination or adverse modification of management or development contracts; Lakes operates in a highly competitive industry; possible changes in regulations; reliance on continued positive relationships with Indian tribes and repayment of amounts owed to Lakes by Indian tribes; possible need for future financing to meet Lakes' expansion goals; risks of entry into new businesses; and reliance on Lakes' management.[2]

Victory came despite warnings from the opposing TruthPAC, backed by MTR Gaming Inc. chairman Jeffrey Jacobs, that the jobs numbers were exaggerated and the lengthy constitutional amendment had other problems. U.S. Sen. George Voinovich vowed to "be their conscience" and hold casino operators to their jobs promises. He predicted casinos would take a particularly heavy toll on Cleveland, a national poverty leader and a city where he was once mayor.[5] Politicians in Ohio and Cleveland might be feeling a bit more pressure today to develop alternatives to casino gambling to solve economic woes as the closest casino attraction yet to Northeast Ohio opened just about an hour and half away in Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.[31] If you don't like the casinos, get rid of the racetracks, get rid of the Ohio Lottery, you know what, while we're at it, get rid of ALL charitable/non-charitable gambling events altogether.[22]

Some of the state's leading horsemen also joined the call for swift passage of a measure that would allow video lottery terminals at the state's race tracks. While Kentucky has debated the issue for more than a decade, other states have acted and are leaving Kentucky behind, they said on Wednesday. The state's top Republican says the expansion of gambling in Ohio may mean there won't be enough gambling business for both states.[40] "Two years ago, I pushed for a constitutional amendment on gaming, and the Republican senators weren't interested," Beshear said on Wednesday. "This is nothing but a stall tactic, and we cannot afford to wait any longer." House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said it is likely that he will file a bill this legislative session, which begins in January, so that a constitutional amendment would not be required for the expansion of gambling at race tracks. A similar measure passed the House during a special legislative session this summer but died in a Senate Budget Committee. "I think this puts pressure on the Legislature to act on an issue that we hope would save our industry," Stumbo said. Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, said Wednesday that he believed that the Republican-controlled Senate had enough votes to pass the expansion of gambling during the special legislative session this summer. He believes that there are votes now to pass gambling.[40] Kentucky already allows gambling on a state lotto, bingo and horse racing. Beshear has been a staunch advocate of legalizing additional forms of gambling, such as video gambling machines at horse racing tracks. A gambling measure cleared the Kentucky House earlier this year, before stalling in the state Senate.[34]

Strickland also has to reconcile coming out in favor of slot machines to support the state budget after saying for years that gambling was bad for the state. "It looks like he is not entirely credible on this, the way he would have been if he had stuck all along to his anti-gambling stance," said Paul Beck, an Ohio State University Political Science Professor.[6] Ohio'''s tough economic times, along with high unemployment, led to union support for Issue 3, and second guessing on racing'''s late start at effective opposition already is underway. Ohio governor Ted Strickland, who in a turn of heart had supported slots at tracks this year, after dooming them a year or two ago, opposed Issue 3 to no avail.[9] Passage of Issue 3 marked the fifth time in the past two decades a casino initiative had been brought to voters.[28] Some lawmakers who opposed Issue 3 vow to put another issue on next May's ballot to hike casino license fees and tax rates and toughen background checks.[11] Lawmakers cannot make changes to the casino outline without going to the ballot because it was inserted into the state Constitution. "I don't know how even the newspaper that endorsed this issue could possibly object to that," Blessing said.[15]

Issues that will need to be sorted out by the Assembly include: hwo many state inspectors will be on site during the 24-hour operations of the casinos; how "loose" the slots will be; how owners, operators and vendors will be vetted; and, how much money will be transferred within the casinos.[10]

Tuesday's ballot measure would allow one casino in each corner of the state and require casinos to pay 33% tax on receipts. Passage could hit Detroit's casinos hard.[18] BALLOT MEASURES: Ohioans will vote for the fifth time since 1990 on whether to allow casinos to operate in the state.[18]

The Humane Society of the United States also vowed a future Ohio ballot issue after it was struck a blow by the passage of Issue 2, which creates a new board to oversee livestock care.[15] In the Arena District, union supporters are anxious to start building. "The people who opposed this got beat," said Pasquale Manzi, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus & Central Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council. "It's a statewide issue, not just local. I don't care what this county did on its own. They have to go with everyone else." Some Arena District workers are excited about their new neighbor too. "There's been so much development and so much change in the arena area, and it's brought so much life to the downtown area that this is just the next thing to generate more money," said Zach Martin who works in an Arena District restaurant.[35] Expected to open by 2012, it will bring with it 2,000 permanent jobs something supporters said is needed in Ohio's ailing economy. "I think it's going to be good job creation and ultimately will keep the money in the county," said Issue 3 supporter Vaios Theodorakos.[30] It was the poor economy and the promise of 34,000 casino-related jobs -- 15,000 projected as permanent -- that led to the passage of Ohio's Issue 3 on Tuesday.[20]

"It'll certainly help Ohio's economy, through the tax dollars and the jobs and keeping the money in the borders of the state," Forst said.[5] As Ohio and Michigan continue to struggle with the downturn in the economy (which may, or may not, be over with yet), and the downturn of the automotive industry, new ways of gaining money, jobs, and tax dollars have been needed to be looked at.[31]

David Zanotti of the Ohio Policy Roundtable, an anti-gambling activist, said citizens of a state with more than 10 percent unemployment were enticed by omnipresent ads promising 34,000 jobs. "It's pretty obvious that the Ohio electorate bought into the whole culture of despair that's going on with the economy," he said.[15] While jobs and extra revenue will be added in Ohio, it will come at a cost to the Hoosier state.[42] Will there be 34k Ohio jobs created? Probably not. Some of them will be construction so they won't be permanent, some of them will be given to people from out of state. BUT, there WILL be jobs created and if it creates 1000 in each city, it's 1000 we didn't have.[22]

Congratulations, you just insulted at least four to five million people in the state of Ohio.[22]

Bill Farish, of Lane's End Farm and chairman of the Breeders' Cup, has been one of the most vocal critics of the state's failure to allow race tracks to expand operations. "I think it's continued bad news for the industry," Farish said of the Ohio vote.[40] Despite the competitive threat from full-service casinos, some members of Ohio's racing industry sounded positive notes on the morning after the votes were counted.[20] FORT WAYNE, Ind. /OH (WANE/AP) - With 99% of precincts reporting unofficial results, a referendum to legalize casinos in Ohio passed with 53% of the vote Tuesday.[42]

The prospect of Ohio casinos has worried officials in nearby Indiana, which is home to several casinos.[19] Analyst Joseph Greff at J.P. Morgan categorized the Ohio initiative as a "mild negative" for the southern Indiana casino industry.[5]

Eric Schippers said, "We want to work with the local business community and feed off of the excitement of the Arena District and bring new visitors to the area." Casino owners said the Columbus facility will be called "Hollywood Columbus" and will be very similar to one of their other properties, the "Hollywood Casino" in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.[1] PENN lobbied heavily in favor of the measure and will build two of the casinos, in Toledo and Columbus, which are scheduled to open in 2012.[46] Penn National president David Wilmott predicted all four casinos would be built in a little over two years.[15] Now, with Ohioans on the fast track to building four casinos, including one just across the river in Cincinnati, the pressure is on for Kentuckians to decide the issue once and for all.[27]

Except for the four locations approved yesterday, casinos will not be expanded into locations without a vote of the people in the county.[33] Martin wants to change the tax rate, add more local control, and give out the casino licenses only to the highest bidder. Others said smaller changes would improve the deal without a vote of the people.[44]

JPMorgan's Joseph Greff said in a client note that if the casinos house 10,000 slot machines, International Game Technology ( IGT - news - people ) could take 45 percent of the market share, with WMS Industries Inc. ( WMS - news - people ) and Bally Technologies Inc. ( BYI - news - people ) each pulling in a 20 percent share of the business. This could add earnings of about 6 cents per share to IGT, 16 cents per share to WMS and 15 cents per share to Bally's, earnings probably by late 2011, he explained.[13] The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington County, about 29 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, ranked third with $22.6 million, up 9.6 percent.[8] Voters in Marion County, Indiana, which includes Indianapolis, agreed to issue $704 million of bonds to build new facilities for Wishard Hospital.[38] Voters okayed most of the estimated $10.5 billion of bonds on ballots in several states, according to Ipreo, a New York-based data company.[38] Voters approved nearly $8.2 billion of the estimated $10.5 billion of bonds requested by states, cities, counties and school districts, according to a preliminary report by Ipreo.[38] • Voters in Maine have the opportunity to make it the first state to approve gay marriage at the ballot box with a referendum on a same-sex marriage law approved by legislators in May.[18]

Tim Wilmott Of Penn National Gaming said, "I want to thank the voters who approved the referendum yesterday.[1] Penn National officials enthusiastically pushed the Ohio facilities' benefits. They pledged to assuage the concerns of their rivals, work cooperatively with restaurant and hotel operators worried about competition, and wow city planners with architectural renderings.[5] Penn National's shares were up 7.25 percent at $28.10 in afternoon trade on Nasdaq.[38]

Polls had shown that nearly 60 percent of the population favored implementing casino gambling, so the drop on voting day indicates a strong turnout by opponents of expanded gaming. [14] Number two, (the legislature has to) approve Steuben County having a referendum, and that referendum passing. There's a lot of hurdles yet for this community to overcome to get a casino here." The gaming committee is working on a report in which it will lay out its recommendations on gaming in Indiana. That report will be turned over to the state legislature when it's back in session in January.[42] The opposition has said it might try to force referendums in each city slated for a casino, but the state polls had shown casino and gambling support heaviest in urban areas, like the cities expecting licenses.[14] The constitutional amendment passed on Tuesday mandates that the state must create a Casino Control Commission and put regulations in place within six months.[20]

The casinos will likely be in operation in 2012. Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who co-chaired TruthPac.org, which opposed the measure, said last night that he will consider working to put further regulatory language before the voters next year that would increase the licensing fees and other casino regulations.[20] Gilbert is exploring the possibility of opening a temporary casino, a possibility allowed by the measure voters passed. He envisions work starting in fall of 2010, with a possible opening in early 2012.[11] One side is using casino proponent and Quicken Loans top dog Dan Gilbert's ties to former Mayor Dennis Archer to sway voters.[43]

The casino operator is on tap to own the casinos in Columbus and Toledo, while Gilbert will develop the remaining properties.[13] The company plans to build casinos in Columbus and Toledo, according to analysts' reports.[38]

"I'm sure that enters into the picture," Smith said, referring to labor's potential clout with the governor. Strickland's predicament is illustrated by Franklin County Commissioner John O'Grady, a Democrat who decided to come out against the casino issue because he thinks it will harm Columbus. He said the governor's office asked him to get involved against the casino issue. "It was a hard thing to do," O'Grady said.[6] Amanda Wurst, Strickland's spokeswoman, disagreed that Strickland wasn't active in the anti-casino campaign. She said Strickland's activities on casinos shouldn't be compared to his work for Issue 2 because each campaign had different tactics and goals. "The governor has been an outspoken critic of Issue 3 for months and has taken every opportunity to remind Ohioans how bad a deal this is," Wurst said.[6] Issue 3 supporter Paul Mulvaney agreed. "I'm from Massachusetts and we have a casino down in Connecticut and it's done great for the town it's in," Mulvaney said.[30]

Backers of the issue said the casinos would produce 40,000 full-time and part-time jobs.[41] The people who do have the money to spend are the ones that know better to not go and gamble it all away at the casino. You will see that the poor are going to get poorer because they are going to be frequenting the casino trying to win money instead of going out and getting a job.[22] "You will see that the poor are going to get poorer because they are going to be frequenting the casino trying to win money instead of going out and getting a job." - Tiffany Belle This simply means that these people obviously do not have their priorities straight. This statement is based on pure assumption. You ASSUME people in this position will go to casinos instead of finding a job.[22]

Who do you think are the people who are going to be stimulating the economy with spending money at the casino? The people who don't have the money to begin with.[22]

Ohioans who now gamble and spend money in Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia and Pennsylvania casinos will soon'be able to stay home.[11] When projecting revenue estimates, West Virginia budget officials have taken out-of-state casino competition into account, said Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow.[3] Lottery revenues make up about 12 percent of the revenues that West Virginia relies on for expenditures, state Department of Revenue officials said. By law, most of that money must be spent on specific programs, such as the Promise Scholarship and senior services.[3]

"I would expect at least a $100 million reduction in the revenue available for our state budget," said Rep. Win Moses. "That's of grave concern to the entire state budget since we're dealing with very slim revenues," said Rep. Borror.[42]

"We're just not very well situated. to be in competition with other states," said Senate President David Williams. He also noted that revenue projections for slots at race tracks would be lower now that Ohio will offer gambling as well.[40] Well. ain't this sweet. All the gaming revenue from Ohio may well dry up, and while Tri-State may not be worried about it, my guess is that they will see some of their revenues dry up as well. They should expect less traffic at their new resort hotel too.[3]

Any loss of casino tax revenue would also hurt Detroit and Michigan, which already face towering budget deficits.[16] Tax revenues wont begin until the first cards are dealt in 2012. None of this can happen before the casino regulations are hammered out, however.[10]

Delaware will add table games alongside slot machines come spring. The 11 casinos in Atlantic City - which will release their October revenue numbers Tuesday - have marketed dealer-staffed table games as an advantage over Pennsylvania's slots-only parlors.[8]

The Cincinnati casino is expected to hold up to 5,000 slot machines in a space one and a half times the size of a typical Wal-Mart Supercenter. Developers estimate that it will take approximately six months to get their licenses and another 18-22 months to construct the casinos what would open sometime in 2012.[10] The governor may not have helped the anti-casino campaign by making lots of comments and appearances. The Ohio Poll by the University of Cincinnati released Friday had Strickland's approval rating at 48 percent — the first time the poll has had him below 50 percent since he took office in January 2007.[6] Ohio's unemployment has topped 10 percent. It is the state's fifth major gambling referendum in the last two decades.[13] To show how strong the issue was with voters, even in areas that seemingly have much to lose if a racetrack closes, it passed in five of the six counties that are home to the state's seven commercial racetracks. Only Franklin County, home to Scioto Downs and Beulah Park, defeated the issue among those six counties. It's not clear what the near-term effect will be on Ohio's racing industry.[20] In the state of Ohio there is an issue that could help Barack Obama carry the state in the fall. That issue, supporting by Democrats, is the Sick-Days Act that would help workers in small companies be guaranteed a minimal number of paid sick days.[22]

"I think (the passage of Issue 3) puts the racing industry in a stronger position. The state is now open to gambling and this opens doors for us.[20] Tuesday will mark the fifth time in 19 years that the issue has been on the ballot in the state.[39] Michael Markarian, the Humane Society's chief operating officer, said the group will return to Ohio with a future ballot measure that protects animals. "By packaging Issue 2 as a pro-animal and pro-food safety measure, the factory farming interests really did everything they could to ensure its passage," he said.[15] Archer is an adviser to Gilbert who will have the opportunity to invest in the casinos should the ballot measure pass.[43] Speaking in Cleveland on Tuesday evening, Gilbert was elated at the passage of the casino referendum. "Let's start lighting it up like Las Vegas," he told the media Tuesday evening, according to the Associated Press. Business writer Greta Guest contributed to this report.[17]

"We're cautiously optimistic there's going to be a bit of an impact but not a profound impact," Richard Kalm, executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. He said Detroit's casinos get most of their business from people within 50 miles and are "not as much of a destination market as, say, Las Vegas or Atlantic City."[16] Eric Bush, a spokesman for the Michigan Gaming Control Board, said gaming experts generally believe Detroit casinos draw from a 75-mile radius.[17]

Local casino experts said the planned casino in Toledo will pose the biggest threat to Detroit area gaming sites.[17] Randall Fine, chief executive of Greektown Casino, echoed that. "The only material effect would be Toledo," he said today during a bankruptcy hearing for the casino. With the Toledo gaming site not opening until possibly 2012, he said there were more immediate concerns. "We'll focus on 2009, 2010 and 2011," he said.[17]

Toledo is some two hours from Fort Wayne, but Indiana lawmakers already are warning that a casino there will deal a blow to Indiana, and the Summit City.[42] The casino going up in Cincinnati will seriously impact three Indiana casinos: Hollywood in Lawrenceburg, Grand Victoria in Rising Sun and Belterra in Vevay. Hollywood General Manager Tony Rodio said his casino will be hit the hardest because 50 percent of its customers are Ohioans, but that he believes Hollywood's major expansion and improvement project will keep customers coming.[37] One lawmaker wants to raise the casino's tax rate from 33 percent to 60 percent, Ludlow reported. "We're going to give the legislature a chance to take a look at this, rather than a couple billionaires from out of town," said Rep. Clyde Evans, R-District 87. Casino executives said they are determined to pay off on their promises.[30] Lawmakers now have six months to enact regulations that will govern how the four casinos will be run and casino operators must be given licenses. Developers say they will begin the design work on the casinos so that they will be ready to build when licenses are granted.[10]

Dennis Forst, a gaming industry analyst for KeyBanc Capital Markets in Los Angeles, also predicted there will be lawsuits forthcoming that delay the plan. He expects casino operators to turn their sights now to Kentucky, a lone casino holdout in the region.[5] Williams, who opposes slots at the race tracks, noted that Beshear campaigned in 2007 on the promise that Kentucky voters could decide the issue. "It is the only way to put a resolution on this issue," said Williams of the constitutional amendment. Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, has said he plans to file a bill that would allow such a vote.[40] MTR hopes to win voter approval in 2010 for a plan that would allow slot machines at racetracks under the auspices of the state lottery.[28]

A predominately Republican Ohio legislature changed laws to allow Early Voting, they didn't foresee "Golden Week," which allowed new voters to register and vote on the same day. [22] Opponents of gambling have questioned whether video slot machines will solve all of racing's problems. Williams and other anti-casino groups called on Beshear to follow Ohio's lead and allow Kentucky residents to vote on whether they want expanded gambling.[40] Keene land president Nick Nicholson says the state has to act soon while opponents say if gambling comes to Kentucky it has to come by a vote of the people.[27] Williams countered that there have never been enough votes in the Senate for expanded gambling to pass. If there were enough votes, why did Beshear appoint two Republican Senators opposed to the expansion of gambling to key positions in state government, he asked.[40]

Lawmakers agree that while Indiana made a flush of money in the past from gambling, the glory days are now coming to an end. "We originally had nine boats and then we added French Lick and then a few years ago we added the two racinos and like I said there's only so much money you can saturate in this particular thing regardless of what the economy is," said Senator Tom Wyss. "This is only the beginning. [42] "On a regional basis, I'm not sure it does anything at all, because whatever is gained by Ohio is potentially lost to Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia."[5] W.Va. officials: Too soon to tell impact of Ohio c. - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports You appear to be using an old version of Internet Explorer. This website will not be displayed properly. We recommend upgrading to the latest version of Internet Explorer or using an alternate web browser, such as Firefox.[3]

The move is expected to hit West Virginia's Northern Panhandle casinos -- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort ]] Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester and Wheeling Island ]] Wheeling Island -- especially hard.[3]

If the project stays on schedule, the casino in Columbus should open in late 2012. [1] The problem is that the passage of the marker on the ballot may, or may not, have dealt a huge blow to the future of Detroit casinos.[31]

According to opponents the amendment fails to set construction completion time frames. They believe this will greatly affect the job creation and tax collection figures projected by supporters. Those who fought Issue 3 are not going away without a fight. [29] Supporters claim that 34000 new jobs will be created with the passage of Issue 3. Opponents believe these numbers are exaggerated.[29]

"Many Issue 3 supporters genuinely believe it will help Ohio's economic recovery. I hope they are right. I fear they are wrong," she said.[15]

In 2009, Strickland has received $5,000 from the Ohio AFL-CIO, $5,000 from the Building and Construction Trades Council, more than $10,600 from the United Food and Commercial Workers, and $1,000 from the Fraternal Order of Police, according to campaign finance records.[6] Large farm operators mounted a $4 million campaign to pass the issue, which was backed by Gov. Ted Strickland, while environmental, animal rights and other activists fought it mostly through the press and the Internet.[15] TruthPAC, backed by MTR Gaming Inc. chairman Jeffrey Jacobs, spent almost $6 million opposing the measure.[15] New Jersey voters said yes to issuing $400 million of bonds to safeguard land for parks and conservation.[38]

The issue was approved by 64 percent of voters, with 99 percent of precincts reporting.[15]

In Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, a state senator who narrowly lost the attorney general's race to McDonnell four years ago, are running to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine. [18]

SOURCES

1. Casino Owners Anxious To Get Started - News Story - WHIO Dayton
2. Lakes Entertainment Announces Passage of Ohio Referendum
3. W.Va. officials: Too soon to tell impact of Ohio c . - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports
4. The Associated Press: Economy hovers over Ohio casino referendum vote
5. The Associated Press: Ohio ponders a future with casinos
6. The Associated Press: PERSPECTIVE: Ohio governor quiet on casinos
7. Ohio lawmaker wants more taxes from casinos - WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 |
8. Pa. slots revenue up, but competition looms | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/04/2009
9. Ohio Casinos Win; Now What? | Standardbred Canada
10. Casinos are coming to Ohio! What now?
11. Cleveland casino targets early 2012 opening
12. The Associated Press: Voters in struggling Ohio approve 4 urban casinos
13. Sector Snap: Ohio vote buoys some casino stocks - Forbes.com
14. Ohio Casino Issue Passes Despite Furious Resistance
15. Struggling Ohio Votes to Open Doors to Casinos - FOXNews.com
16. The Associated Press: Ohio casinos to hit Mich., Ind. gambling taxes
17. Dan Gilbert: Ohio casinos will be 'healthy competition' for Detroit | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
18. Ohio casinos, gay marriage on ballots | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
19. Ailing Ohio economy sways voters toward casinos | Lifestyle | Reuters
20. Ohioans remain hopeful in the wake of changes; Jobs win the day
21. Slots or taxes? | Marketplace Scratch Pad | Marketplace from American Public Media
22. Issue 3 Ohio Results; Ohio Casinos Are Coming - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com
23. New Ohio casinos will hit nearby resorts-Moody's | Markets | Bonds News | Reuters
24. Detroit, Michigan watch as Ohio OKs Toledo casino | AP | 11/04/2009
25. Ohio Gaming Vote Sure To Impact Casino Prospects For Northeast Indiana | Indiana's NewsCenter: News, Sports, Weather, Fort Wayne WPTA-TV, WISE-TV, CW, and My Network | Local & Regional
26. Ohio casinos could cost Indiana millions in revenue - WXIN
27. Ohio Gambling Vote Prompts New Debate
28. Baptist Press - Casino gambling plan passes in Ohio, 53-47 - News with a Christian Perspective
29. Issue 3 passes with 53 percent of the vote in Ohio
30. Casino Developers Say They Will Keep Campaign Promises | WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio's News Leader
31. Ohio Casinos Vote Will Help Detroit Casinos - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com
32. Beshear urges action on video lottery terminals | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
33. Ohio lawmaker pitches patch to add fairness to casino initiative Ohio voters OK'd yesterday
34. WZTV FOX 17/Nashville
35. Issue 3 Debate Not Over | WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio's News Leader
36. Ohio ponders a future with casinos | AP | 11/04/2009
37. Ohio Casino Vote Endangers Indiana Riverboats - Indiana News Story - WRTV Indianapolis
38. Voters reject spending limits, OK Ohio casinos | U.S. | Reuters
39. Casino Bid in Recession-Battered Ohio - WSJ.com
40. Ohio's vote for slots puts pressure on Ky., Beshear says - Latest News - Kentucky.com
41. Ohio voters approve casino issue
42. Ohio voters approve casinos which will have a negative impact on Indiana and a potential FW casino
43. DETNEWS | Weblogs | Detroit City Hall Insider
44. Lawmakers Question Issue 3 - Politics News Story - WHIO Dayton
45. Penn National Rallies After Ohio Approves Gaming - WSJ.com
46. Penn National Gaming (PENN) rises after Ohio casino vote - BloggingStocks

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