COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With just one week until state lawmakers are required to come up with a balanced budget, Gov. Ted Strickland's proposal to allow electronic slot machines at seven racetracks faces a few hurdles.
Lawmakers would first have to sign off on the idea and then there may be competition from a group trying to build four casinos around the state.
If you enjoy gambling, your options may double or triple within the next few years without having to drive far. What isn't clear is what would happen if Beulah Park and Scioto Downs add slot machines and voters approve a plan to build a casino in downtown Columbus.
Casino backers said that despite Strickland's call for slots at racetracks, they're moving forward with their ballot proposal to change the state constitution and build casinos around the state.
But for now, they're not commenting on Strickland's proposed gaming expansion or the effect it would have on casino operations.
But gaming at tracks and casinos could have another impact on licensing fees charged and gambling profits taxed by the state.
"I would imagine that the casino would have a negative impact on these numbers, but I have not run them," said State Budget Director Pari Sabety.
Sabety said the state's revenue projections don't take into account the possibility of the casinos which, if approved by votes, would pay the bulk of taxes and fees to local governments and school districts, but not the state.
The casino presence likely would cut into racetrack profit margins, thus cutting down on the value of licensing fees and state tax revenues.
"This is something that we would need to work through as events unfold before us," Sabety said.
A spokesperson for organizers of the effort to let voters decide on changing the state constitution to allow for casino gambling said the group will move forward with plans to turn in the signatures required to get on the ballot, regardless of the governor's proposal.
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