The Ohio House has approved a fast-tracked bill that will permit relocation of horse racetracks that have video lottery terminals. A vote is expected in the Senate next week.

The Ohio State Racing Commission still has the final say, but this legislation streamlines the process.

Several congressmen had indicated that relocation requires legislative approval, not by administrative rule. This bill addresses that issue.

Under current law, relocation would require the signatures of at least 51% of the voters from the last general election in the township where the racetrack would be relocated. This bill eliminates that requirement.

This bill also requires the Racing Commission to “give preference to transfer proposals involving moves to locations in which neither horse-racing meetings nor casino gaming have been authorized by July 1.”