More Details of Slot Machine Plan

The Ohio legislature is allowing slot machines to come into racetracks via an executive order that Governor Ted Strickland signed. Those that are for the slot machines are thrilled, but those that aren’t – which is substantial – are not happy about the idea. Ohioans have previously voted no several times to bringing in slot machines, so this move is upsetting to many of them.
 
But Strickland says that they have done everything in their power to not have to face this, but that if they do not bring in slot machines then they are going to have to raise taxes and drastically cut many of the programs that the state offers. Things like food for the homeless and free health clinics, etc. would be some of the first to go.
 
So he issued the directive to bring in the slot machines, and seven of the state’s racetracks including Lebanon Raceway would be getting them. The owners of Lebanon are thrilled to be getting slot machines. There is no talk of how this will affect their mood yet though as they had just announced that they were planning a move to Montgomery County because Warren County was so against the slot machines coming in.
 
The slot machines are not yet a done deal, lawmakers still have to vote for it. If it goes through it would be a two year, $52 billion budget for the state – and $933 million in slot machine revenues. The tracks would get up to 2,500 slot machines and half of the revenue from the machines would go to anti-gambling programs and school budgets. Part of the money coming in would be from the licensing fees that the vendors would have to pay which would be a $65 million, 10 year fee.

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