The Mahoning Valley Development Group, which had previously announced their intentions to build an eighth horse racing facility with VLTs in the Youngstown area, now wants a $450 million Vegas-style casino and resort instead. State law permits only the existing seven horse racing tracks to have VLTs.

Investors Rick Lertzman and Brad Pressman plan to submit a proposal to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. If approved by DeWine, 370,000 signatures would be required to get the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Lertzman indicated if they failed to get on the November ballot, they would aim for the spring 2013 ballot.