Casino Plan Defeated

Already facing challenges from out-of-state casinos and racinos in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, struggling Ohio racetracks will not face in-state casino competition.

Voters in the Buckeye State rejected an effort to bring casino gambling to Southwest Ohio by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.

Ohioans turned down Issue 6, which would have allowed a single $600-million casino in Clinton County about halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus. With 96% of the vote tabulated, the measure was failing 63% to 37%.

Ohio voters have turned down four attempts to expand gaming by way of state ballot since 1990. While some of those measures would have allowed for added gaming at racetracks, Issue 6 would have been specific to a single casino. Ohio’s seven Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks, Thoroughbred horsemen’s groups, and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association opposed Issue 6.

The casino would have been located about midway between Cincinnati’s River Downs and Beulah Park, in Grove City, Ohio. Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for a group that opposed the issue, told the Cincinnati Enquirer that even people who favor expanded gaming opposed this issue.

For the complete story, please see Frank Angst, Ohio voters turn down casino plan, Thouroughbred Times, November 5, 2008.