Strickland Issues Order Legalizing Slots
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Gov. Ted Strickland has issued a directive that will allow slot machines at Ohio’s seven horse-racing tracks.
Published: July 13, 2009
Updated: July 13, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Gov. Ted Strickland has issued a directive that will allow slot machines at Ohio’s seven horse racing tracks.
The order was issued Monday as state lawmakers prepared to vote on a $52 billion, two-year operating budget that includes $933 million in proceeds from the slots.
Under Strickland’s order, vendors will be permitted to place up to 2,500 video lottery terminals at each of no more than seven locations. They will be charged a $65 million, 10-year licensing fee, to be paid in five equal installments beginning in September.
Half the proceeds from the machines will go to the state for operational costs, anti-gambling programs and schools. The rest would go to the tracks. Licensed agents will be required to invest at least $100 million to upgrade track facilities and provide security.
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Reader Reactions
Good move,its about time Ohio got out of our cow town image. The capital we have been losing to other states will stay in state, Bravo! Yeah, the churches are against it, thinking it will take away from their Bingo income. Why do you think Vegas and Atlantic City are still in business…money. Most of all, the people are still going to gamble…whether its in another state or Ohio, Very smart move!!!
lc take your republican spam and leave.
why blame the establishment for their bad habits and expect us with a brain to help them..I lived it thru my family but I cant blame the availability cause they ll go elsewhere..out of state..I see it with lottery tickets, numbers game etc..If people would accept their own issues and get out of the blame game..we d be a lot further..I dont see a problem with slots..I dont have to go but i wont control or put down someone who does..CPS well Their problem is needing smart people to know what appropriate monies which seems to spent without oversight..but then Ohio is being run by herds of cattle with big pockets…
The taxpayers won’t see a dime of that money! I came from a state that allowed the same thing, slots, gambling, etc….and guess what;—- taxes still went up, schools still broke and more people with gambling problems… Yeah, I see this as another failure!
quote"Half the proceeds from the machines will go to the state for operational costs, anti-gambling programs and schools.“ OK, they have to pay for people to get help for gambling problems with the money people use during their gambling problem. Makes sense to me…And I’ll believe it when I see it that the money goes to the schools. That song and dance has been done before, I think!
HA…Take that all you Bingo players !!!
Bout time!
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