Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is proposing to allow the installation of slot machines in horse racing tracks throughout Ohio, including seven locations in Franklin County such as Scioto Downs and Beulah Park.
The tax revenue generated would assist in resolving the shortfalls in the state budget.
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Couple things…
1. I’m not in favor of a Columbus casino or anything similar.
2. That said, I’m not sure I get an ounce of difference in putting up OTB, Poker Machines, Slots, etc. at a place where gambling is already taking place.
So, bottom line, this doesn’t change the landscape of the city in any way…gambling will simply take place in more ways in the place that gambling was happening anyway…and generate more revenue for the state.
p.s. To me, this is really no different than a store that’s been selling printed lottery tickets for years suddenly adding scratch offs…
I am not for gambling due to my background, but I don’t say people can’t have it, just that I personally don’t support it or vote for it. And the next time someone argues with me on it again thinking it’s all about religion, I tell them I will sign their petition for a casino the minute they show me the next ones to sign for legalizing pot, and selling alcohol 24 hours, 7 days a week (also throw out the alcohol limit on beer while your at it).
This thread is interesting. The horse racing industry in Kentucky is screaming that they need to be allowed to install video slot machines our tracks due to the fact that states such as Ohio is close to allowing such a measure. From reading your comments, it sounds like such an initiative is pretty far off. It is amazing how the truth can be distorted for financial gain.
I’ve always voted against gambling, but I am in favor of the video slots at the horse tracks. Like CoreModels said, gamblers are already spending time at the Ohio track and maybe this will bring in the bingo lovers and stateline boat trippers too.
We already have the lottery and Keano, so we are probably headed this way anyhow. I guess I’d rather see the gambling expand in existing facilities than to build new sites. I visited the Hard Rock Casino near Miami Florida and it was one of the saddest scenes I’ve witnessed. Not that it wasn’t busy, but it was a room full of pitiful loosers desperate to be winners. I guess I was one for being there.
I am opposed to a Columbus area Casino, especially if it is on the banks of the Olentangy River where it’s been proposed. That area has been abused for so long and a Casino is not going to help that area of the watershed at all. Bad juju.
Also, I’d like to point out that Casinos in Detroit has not been the boon they had hoped it would be. We should learn from their mistakes or we are doomed to repeat them.
Having voted against gambling proposals in the past, I don’t mind this one. Simply stated the slots will be at existing facilities that already have gambling. Using this as a primary funding source is wrong and shouldn’t be figured in the state’s budget as an estimation for funds. Maybe the slots will allow the tracks to renovate and improve their facilities which they desparately need.
I suppose it was bound to happen. Gambling supporters have waited as Ohio’s economy got worse hoping that the public resolve would decay. Now it seems the government’s resolve is giving way first.
Governor thinks state could collect $410 million in gaming revenue in fiscal year 2011
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:13 AM
BY MARK NIQUETTE AND JOE HALLETT
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Gov. Ted Strickland wants slot machines chiming as soon as possible at Ohio’s seven horse-racing tracks — music to the ears of thousands involved in the state’s ailing horse industry.
New information unveiled yesterday shows that Strickland’s proposal to install electronic slot machines at the tracks projects revenue flowing twice as fast as a plan advocated by the Ohio State Racing Commission and an Ohio Department of Taxation analysis. The governor is trying to help the state fill a gaping budget hole while resuscitating a nearly dead horse-racing industry.
READ MORE
This is a slap in the face of the voters who voted down expanded gambling 4 TIMES! Why should we feel obligated to support the horse racing industry that by in large no one cares about as an entertainment option. Let the market work – if no one cares, let it die. Furthermore, I agree with Walker that if a full-fledged casino comes to downtown it will be more of the “West Virginia” mold in terms of appearances and clientele rather than the “Las Vegas” mold.
” Republican leaders in the Ohio Senate told Gov. Ted Strickland on Saturday that they would not support his plan to put slot machines at Ohio race tracks”
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/06/28/story_slots.html?sid=102
I love the last line:
“Strickland said now that he has put out his plan, he expects Senate republicans to do the same”
This is off topic. Had no idea all the casinos in Russia are closing on Wednesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/world/europe/29casinos.html?ref=business
So torn,
On one hand, I believe gambling is a tax on the mathematically challenged. I can find numerous examples of how it detracts from a community with only limited gain. Not to liken it to theft, but, its robbing Peter to pay Paul.
On the other, I don’t feel the need to legislate morality. I want people to have the choice to do what they want as long as it doesn’t impinge on my freedom.
I guess I’d rather see Ohio make TOUGH choices now and not go with the slots/gambling. I can only hope that the subsequent budget shortfall would drive us to find more creative, and sustainable ways to support our way of life. I say lets roll up our sleeves and find a better way.
Strickland really wants those slot machines:
Shut down the state? Just maybe
I wonder who he promised them to.
Mae, that’s an interesting interpretation. To me, it seems like he doesn’t want to have to cut another $1 billion out of the already threadbare budget. If the choice is between slots (at racetracks where people are already gambling) and slashing Medicaid, libraries and adoption assistance, I choose the former.
I don’t.
If the government is going to go into business to raise money, I’d at least rather see it go into a business not so intrinsically bound up with vice, never mind a business that will present legislators with all kinds of perverse incentives down the line. If the state becomes dependent on gambling revenue from machines it owns directly (which is the current proposal–the state would have to buy the machines), it’s going to have incentives to favor gambling industry over other industries from which it makes no more than regular tax revenue.
If there’s still a $933m hole in the budget, then it’s not threadbare enough, by definition. More cuts need to be made.
The current cuts will be completely disasterous. More cuts would be downright irresponsible. Revenue has to be raised somehow – I suggest eliminating the planned income tax cut (which is not raising taxes at all.) But if neither party has the cajones to do that, I’m fine with slots as a revenue source. The budget is already cut to the bone. Any more cuts will take the marrow, too.