Gambling in Ohio
The Enquirer has the story.
The Business Courier covered it first but focused on Ohio as a whole rather than Cincinnati.
The study was backed by a "coalition of business interests from Cincinnati and Cleveland" and included Carl Lindner of American Financial and father of City Council Candidate Chris Bortz, Neil Bortz.
According to the story
Charlie Luken has been "pushing for gambling on the city's riverfront" since at least June 2004. He stressed that it was an economic issue rather than a moral one.
Opposition to legalized gambling by Governor Bob Taft and other State officials haven't made things any easier.
In order to make it happen
Or
In May 2004 the Ohio House of Representatives voted not to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would have allowed video slot machines at the state's race tracks.
Ohio needs to get with the times before it is left behind.
Cincinnati could certainly use the jobs and economic boost. Large casinos would encourage restaraunt and hotel development in the immediate area and could be used to invigorate parts of town that need commerce. A spike in crime, however, is the last thing the city needs. Legalizing gambling would probably be worthwhile if a percentage of profits are used to ensure that they do not cause an increase in crime. Hopefully such a provision is included when all is said and done.
The Business Courier covered it first but focused on Ohio as a whole rather than Cincinnati.
Legalizing casinos in Ohio would generate $4 billion in annual revenue but also create more than 100,000 new problem gamblers, according to an economic and social impact study released Wednesday.
The model used to make the economic projections included two land-based casinos in Greater Cincinnati along with sites at Southwest Ohio's two horse racetracks, which the study said would generate $718 million in annual revenue. The four operations' total annual economic impact would be $858 million, including almost 7,900 jobs and $300 million in wages, salaries and benefits.
The study was backed by a "coalition of business interests from Cincinnati and Cleveland" and included Carl Lindner of American Financial and father of City Council Candidate Chris Bortz, Neil Bortz.
According to the story
even factoring in the costs of a potential surge in "problem or pathological gamblers," casinos could generate a $600 million annual boost in state and local tax revenues.
Charlie Luken has been "pushing for gambling on the city's riverfront" since at least June 2004. He stressed that it was an economic issue rather than a moral one.
"I think the people have seen the moral question is not if they can gamble in Cincinnati. All I'm suggesting is that there are jobs and a tax base [with the gambling boats]," Luken said.
Opposition to legalized gambling by Governor Bob Taft and other State officials haven't made things any easier.
In order to make it happen
Ohio's horse track owners aim to collect signatures to place the issue on next year's ballot as a constitutional amendment. About 322,000 valid signatures will be needed. A majority of state voters then would have to approve it.
Or
A constitutional amendment to allow gambling could be placed before voters by the General Assembly. In the state legislature, a three-fifths majority of each chamber - 60 votes in the House, 20 in the Senate - would be needed.
In May 2004 the Ohio House of Representatives voted not to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would have allowed video slot machines at the state's race tracks.
Ohio needs to get with the times before it is left behind.
Indiana has riverboat casinos (including three on the Ohio River in Southeast Indiana), West Virginia has slots at racetracks, and Pennsylvania expects legalized slots to be operational as soon as early 2006.
Cincinnati could certainly use the jobs and economic boost. Large casinos would encourage restaraunt and hotel development in the immediate area and could be used to invigorate parts of town that need commerce. A spike in crime, however, is the last thing the city needs. Legalizing gambling would probably be worthwhile if a percentage of profits are used to ensure that they do not cause an increase in crime. Hopefully such a provision is included when all is said and done.
Where did you find it? Interesting read »
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