Gambling news from http://columbus.bizjournals.com/
Whether slot machines and gaming parlors come to Ohio is now up to voters, according to the group backing the initiative.
The Ohio Learn & Earn Committee said Tuesday the state has validated more than 341,000 petition signatures supporting Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment allowing slot machines to be placed at seven Ohio race tracks and two casinos in Cleveland. A portion of the gambling revenue would be used to fund college tuition grants.
If the amendment is passed Nov. 7, as many as 3,500 slot machines would be placed at each of the nine facilities, including Scioto Downs in Columbus and Beulah Park in Grove City.
Backed by the Learn & Earn Committee, the proposed constitutional amendment would set aside 30 percent of the gross revenue from gambling revenue toward college expenses. Learn & Earn is forecasting the slot machines would bring in $2.84 billion a year, generating $852.7 million a year for the tuition grants, which could be used at any Ohio public or private college.
The Columbus Partnership, a group of local business leaders, this month came out against the amendment because it said gambling would not enhance Central Ohio's economy and would place Columbus at a competitive disadvantage for convention business and tourism because Cleveland would get two casinos. It also said amending the state constitution to allow gambling at the nine selected facilities was not good public policy.
The Greater Cleveland Partnership, Greater Cincinnati Chamber and Ohio Home Builders Association are among about 12 entities that support the initiative.
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