The Ohio voters are deciding these hours if the recession is a motivation strong enough to get the game Casino in their State. A question not new, to tell the truth, because that is the fifth time in nineteen years, that this has becomes object of elections and the frustration of the work, who see a market of great interest in the American State officers, but have failed so far.
It is also true that almost every year since 1990, casino operators lobby have attempting but not succeed.
Penn National Gaming, that handles the casinos in Pennsylvania, has already put the option to purchase land where to bud gaming in Ohio, if voters vote should allow this opportunity. The current electoral initiative proposes to amend the Constitution of the country to allow the game gambling that is practiced in casinos and is similar to those carried forward in recent years. But objective of consolidating debts of budget and tackle unemployment is not only precisely the Ohio: also the neighboring States, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Kentucky, are considering proposals to expand the gambling inside their borders.
Of course, the proposed constitutional amendment was object of antigambling, as fought by Republican Senator George Voinovich, former Governor of Ohio, but also those who have seen as the main funded local racetrack.
Initiative this year in Ohio, known as number three, calls for four gaming houses a minimum cost of 250 million dollars each for certain land located in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. It also provides a tax equal to 50 million dollars for each license issuing and a fee equal to 33 % of the gross income of casinos, which should be divided between the local governments of the entire country.
The Mtr Gaming Group Inc., which owns a Racecourse in Columbus, and its Chairman, has spent approximately $ 6 million to fight against this proposed constitutional amendment.
Chester, W.Va., hoping to qualify for an additional proposal allowing slot machines in the racetrack, issue on which the Supreme Court has already expressed, by declaring that it should be the subject of a referendum in 2010.
“We are not opposed to competition – says the Director-General of Mr., Robert Griffin – what we are looking for this as reasonable and open process for other companies”.
Penn National Gaming is a force driving behind the electoral initiative, but last year has spent 20 million dollars to defeat a measure that would allow another company to build a huge Casino East North of Cincinnati, approximately 70 miles from Casino Penn opened this year in Lawrenceburg, Ind. This initiative was defeat, 62 % compared to 38 %.
The wind are but changed at the beginning of 2009, with the rate of unemployment which is impennato of 10 % compared to the previous year, 6.2 and also the public has become more favorable to the Casino. From here the decision of the Penn support the campaign pro-gambling, stressing the potential for jobs that would be.
