Efforts Made To Keep Casinos Out Of Ohio
Opponents Say Casinos Will Create More Problems Than They Solve
POSTED: 4:22 pm EDT August 7, 2006
UPDATED: 6:08 pm EDT August 7, 2006
CLEVELAND -- With the November election just around the corner, there is a push to win over voters on the issue of gambling in Ohio.
What is being called a tri-partisan effort to stop gaming dead in its tracks was held Monday at Cuyahoga County Community College as Democrats, Republicans and Independents joined forces, reported NewsChannel5's Carolina Leid.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland, Republican Sen. George Voinovich, and "Vote No Casino" supporters say slot machines and casino table games would create more problems than they would solve.
"Some how, some how these are faceless people. They're faceless people. They admit another 109,000 addictions but one of them said to me 'George, don't worry about it,'" said Voinovich.
The proposal to allow casino gambling in Ohio is a widely debated issue. Supporters of gaming argue that addictions are already a problem in Ohio, but Ohioans are not gaining anything; rather, other states are seeing the revenue.
"This is the first time in Ohio that there's been a real opportunity. Not somebody's idea, not somebody's promise, but rather a real revenue opportunity to create meaningful college opportunities for kids that can't afford them or maybe in some cases are able to go one or two years but can't complete their degree," said Greater Cleveland Partnership President Joe Roman.
Opponents to casinos say that Cleveland is ground zero, in that downtown Cleveland would be home to slot machines and casino tables.
If passed, the revenue would allow slot machines at seven Ohio horse tracks and two freestanding parlors.
The revenue generated by gambling would break down as follows, according to the proposal: Track and parlor owners get 55 percent; Horse racing purse funds get 6 percent; college scholarships get 30 percent; local governments get 8 percent; and gambling addiction services get 1 percent.
"So the notion that this is actual relief is mythical. It's just like Pinocchio's nose: The numbers are growing on how much is going to be there, so are lies about what it's going to mean for families," said David Zanotti, of the Ohio Roundtable.
Ohio voters have twice before turned down proposals to allow casino gambling. |
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