Ohio Racino Opposition Mounts, Claims Revenues Overstated

The Columbus Dispatch reported gambling opposition in Ohio that includes LetOhioVote --

Lawsuit: Slots break lottery rules
Ohio Roundtable is second group trying to block gambling at racetracks

Voinovich called gambling an "attack on families" and criticized Strickland for reversing his own position against gambling. Voinovich, a Republican former governor, noted that Strickland, a Democrat, joined him in opposing a ballot measure for slot machines at racetracks in 2006.

"Based on his past comments, he knows that this is not in the best interest of Ohio's families," Voinovich said.

Opponents Question Strickland On Slots Revenue

Some critics pointed to Strickland’s expansion of the Ohio Lottery to include Keno as an example of projections falling short. Keno ... has not matched expectations.

Strickland hoped it would bring in about $73 million to help balance the budget for the current fiscal year that ends June 30. But the latest estimates are that it will bring in between $25 million and $30 million.


State Rep. Ron Amstutz, a Wooster Republican and negotiator on the conference committee deciding the budget plan, acknowledged the differences and said he didn’t yet have enough information to evaluate Strickland’s revenue predictions. But he still called the gambling proposal a “poison pill” in the budget.

“I think most of us in this caucus will be looking for alternatives to balance the budget rather than reaching out to folks that can’t really afford this,“ Amstutz said.

A complicating factor in gambling revenue projections is that gaming revenue has gone down with the economy. Revenue from slots terminals at West Virginia’s racetracks are down about 7 percent from projections for the fiscal year ending June 30, said West Virginia Lottery spokeswoman Nikki Orcutt.

WFIN --


Ohio Republican Senator George Voinovich is using the Bible to blast gambling supporters including Ohio's Democratic Governor Ted Strickland, who is an ordained minister.

Voinovich, a former governor, joined forces with the Ohio Roundtable and Methodists in announcing a lawsuit against Strickland's plan to place slot machines at Ohio's racetracks.

Voinovich quoted the Lord's Prayer - "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" - at a news conference announcing the suit.