Gaming proponents could shortcut the constitutional ballot initiative procedure by persuading the Ohio legislature to authorize slot machine games in horse race tracks. However, even if the legislature is won over, the gaming proponents face another challenge in the form of Governor Ted Strickland's veto power. Although he has not ... Read More

The Ohio State Racing Commission has drafted a plan to allow limited slot machine gaming in race tracks in order to support the struggling horse racing industry.  According to the Commission, five of Ohio's seven racing tracks may close within the next year due to financial difficulties if no assistance ... Read More

Representatives of Ohio's racetracks are asking the State Lottery to enter the slot machine gaming business. Governor Ted Strickland has the power to direct the State Lottery to operate slot machines at racetracks. If the Governor authorized such a move, neither legislative nor voter approval would be required. The proposal ... Read More

Lima City Law Director Tony Geiger recently informed the Lima City Council that the administration will not have concluded negotiations with the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma concerning a possible casino development in time for the Council to place the agreement on the November ballot. The deadline to place the ... Read More

Governor Ted Strickland has promised to veto a bill that would legalize so-called "video racing" terminals at Ohio's horse tracks. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Governor has said that his veto does not indicate a preference for or against gambling, but merely upholds the will of the people ... Read More

The Ohio Senate has passed a bill that would authorize the state's seven horse tracks to install so-called "instant racing" terminals. According to an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the measure was approved 25 - 8. The machines, which allow bettors to wager on previously-run races, would pay out ... Read More

An article in the Columbus Dispatch states that Scioto Downs reported a $4,400,000.00 loss in 2006. The story notes that the racetrack spent $3,100,000.00 on last year's failed ballot initiative to bring slot wagering to Ohio's tracks. Scioto's parent company, MTR Gaming, stated that revenues continue to fall because of ... Read More

A new proposal for so-called "instant racing" has found bi-partisan support in the General Assembly according to a recent article in the Columbus Dispatch. Under the new proposal, players would place wagers on past races based exclusively on the win percentages of the horses, jockeys and trainers while the actual ... Read More

An article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently reported that the failure of Ohio's Issue 3 may affect merger plans of Ohio racetracks. Without slots to keep them afloat, Northfield Park and Thistledown are currently in merger negotiations, though Brock Milstein, Chairman of Northfield Park, notes that the discussions are ... Read More