Rock Ohio Gaming has stopped construction on its casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati until the issue of taxes and fees has been resolved. That could still be weeks away as the Senate is currently reviewing the budget amendment passed by the House last week.
While also concerned about this issue, even ... Read More
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May2011
The Ohio House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the budget requiring casinos to pay the commercial activity tax on all bets wagered, not gross revenue minus winnings paid out. Penn National is strongly opposed and reiterated its threat to file legal action if this amendment is passed. The ... Read More
May 6, 2011ogadmin
02
May2011
Penn National officially broke ground on its Columbus casino last week, but when it will actually open is still up in the air somewhat.
Days after the groundbreaking, Franklin County officials rejected Penn National’s application for a certificate of zoning appropriateness, a certificate that is needed to begin construction. Planning Administrator ... Read More
May 2, 2011ogadmin
18
Apr2011
The Ohio Department of Administrative Services has announced that two firms will be retained to assist Governor Kasich and the Ohio Casino Control Commission in plotting Ohio’s future on various gaming issues such as casinos, VLTs and horse racing. Spectrum Gaming Group of Linwood, New Jersey, was hired to primarily ... Read More
April 18, 2011ogadmin
18
Apr2011
The village of Sheffield became the latest local entity to approve legislation that would allow sweepstakes cafes in their community. These businesses may begin operating on April 25, the day a six-month moratorium expires.
Among the provisions:
A $5,000 annual licensing fee;
A $50 per machine monthly licensing fee;
No one under the age ... Read More
April 18, 2011ogadmin
18
Apr2011
The opening of the Cleveland and Cincinnati casinos could be delayed up to four months, pushing back the completion date to early 2013. According to President Matt Cullen of developer Rock Gaming, this potential delay is all a result of Kasich’s indecision on casino fees and taxes. Kasich thinks the ... Read More
April 18, 2011ogadmin
14
Apr2011
The city of Wadsworth, by a 4-2 vote, approved legislation to regulate sweepstakes cafes. A six-month moratorium that had been in place was to expire April 22.
Among the new rules:
An annual licensing fee of $2,000. This will fund the required background checks on business owners and employees;
Existing, as well as ... Read More
April 14, 2011ogadmin
13
Apr2011
Governor Kasich is expected to hire a consultant any day now to complete a thorough review of Ohio’s gambling market. The racino question will probably be at the top of the list. A final recommendation could take months. Penn National Gaming and Rock Ohio Caesars, developers of the state’s four ... Read More
April 13, 2011ogadmin
28
Mar2011
Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with state representatives Nan Baker of Westlake and Marlene Anielski of Walton Hills, have proposed legislation that would regulate Ohio’s Internet cafes, including skill game parlors and sweepstakes cafes.
The proposal calls for the games to be under the control of the newly formed Ohio Casino ... Read More
March 28, 2011ogadmin
28
Mar2011
House Speaker Pro Tempore Louis Blessing Jr. has stated that legislation to legalize video slot machines at Ohio’s racetracks could be introduced in the next 30 days. The holdup has been attributed to the desire by Governor Kasich to speak with a ‘gambling expert’ before making any decisions. Blessing went ... Read More
March 28, 2011ogadmin