Governor Ted Strickland signed the casino implementation measure this week, but not before pointing out areas of disappointment. Overall, Strickland was enthusiastic about the measure’s ability to facilitate the creation of Ohio jobs and economic opportunity in our communities. “However, I am disappointed that this bill also creates a new income ... Read More

Authorization legislation for Ohio’s four new casinos, to be located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo, cleared the House and Senate in the wee hours of the morning following the midnight constitutional deadline. After hours of deadlock, members were able to reach agreement on the appropriation of half of the ... Read More

As the constitutional deadline approaches, the House and Senate passed separate casino implementation measures with some substantial differences. Although the majority of the provisions within the two bills are similar, the House’s plan includes $200 million in appropriations from the one-time operating fees and language regarding minority contractors, which the ... Read More

Members of the House and Senate began hearings on the new regulations that will oversee the state’s four new casinos as approved by the voters last fall. With a constitutional deadline of June 3, members will need to work fast on reaching consensus in the House and Senate versions, which ... Read More

Unable to reach an agreement, the Ohio House and Senate each released their own version of legislation designed to regulate Ohio’s casinos. Lawmakers will now have until June 3 to pass a single law. The House and Senate agreed on most issues. Highlights: Same in both versions: Anyone under the age of 21 ... Read More

The site of the Columbus casino is moving to the West Side after voters overwhelmingly passed Issue 2 in the May primary.

Democrats plan to introduce ground rules for Ohio’s four new casinos. Some proposals include not allowing casinos to serve liquor 24 hours a day or to give free alcoholic drinks to players. According to Rep. Todd Beck, surrounding states have similar rules.  Things are heating up in Summit County with regard ... Read More

Voters will decide on an alternate site for the Columbus casino. The first hurdle toward moving the casino site from the Arena District to the former Delphi Plant was cleared when the Ohio House voted to place the issue on the May 4 ballot. An attempt to include an amendment ... Read More

Penn National has agreed to the former Delphi Plant on Columbus' economically depressed west side as an alternate site for their casino that was originally approved for the Arena District in last November's elections. There are still obstacles to overcome. A three fifths vote by the Ohio House and Senate is ... Read More