Compromise Could Bring Slots to Ohio Tracks

After a 13-day impasse, the Ohio legislature yesterday rocketed a new state budget to the governor that Democrats say makes the best of a bad economic hand dealt to the state but Republicans say is a gamble that won't pay off.

The bill allows Gov. Ted Strickland to add electronic video slot machines at Ohio's seven horse-racing tracks, proposed to be operational by May, to help balance the budget with $2.5 billion in spending cuts but without raising taxes.

Almost no one on either side of the partisan divide liked the finished product -- Republicans supplied just six votes, including five needed in the Senate for passage. But last night, Strickland hailed an end to the rancorous standoff.

"Our people and our businesses are struggling to stay afloat in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," the governor said in a statement. "This budget protects them from tax increases they simply cannot afford."

For the complete story, please see Mark Niquette and Joe Hallett, Final bill passes with wealth of grumbling, The Columbus Dispatch, July 14, 2009.

Slots Coming to Ohio Tracks?

State Rep. Louis Blessing said he'll introduce legislation this week to put 2,000 slot machines at each of Ohio's seven horse tracks, including River Downs in Anderson Township and Lebanon Raceway in Warren County.

Blessing, a Republican from Colerain Township, said it can be done without Ohio voter approval if the gambling is regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission, which already oversees Keno.

Possible bankruptcy of Ohio horse tracks makes passing state legislation this year more urgent than ever, according to Blessing.

Jack Hanessian, general manager at River Downs, said he's already competing against two Indiana horse tracks that offer slot machines.

"We've had tremendous losing years, and these are actual cash losses ... and it's gotten more severe in the last three or four years."

Expanded gambling options generate more "purse money" for horse owners, and that attracts quality horses, Hanessian said. "If you don't have the purse money, they won't come."

Blessing said he thinks the proposal has enough votes to pass in the Ohio House, although Gov. Ted Strickland said he will likely veto any new gambling legislation that excludes a statewide vote of Ohioans.

For the complete story, please see Jon Craig and Allison D'Aurora, Bill would put slots at Ohio tracks, The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 12, 2009.