Gambling ballot issue again to be tried, this time including Toledo
If first you don’t succeed? Try, try, try again appears to be the motto when it is related to trying to make gambling legal in Ohio. This time Toledo is included as part of the plan. Gaming groups, Cavs owner propose casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo.
The proposal, which could be announced next month and would have to be approved by voters in November, would feature four full-fledged casinos including one in Cleveland each with attached hotels, entertainment venues and restaurants, sources have told the paper.
Other locations would be in Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. Each casino could have up to 5,000 slot machines and more than 100 tables for blackjack, craps, poker and more.The plan is being led by rival gambling interests My Ohio Now and Penn National Gaming, which owns the Argosy Casino in Indiana who have decided the best way to pierce Ohios anti-gambling barrier is by showing their hands and working together, the sources said.
It will be put on the ballot until somehow it passes, no matter the previous votes.
This time they are trying the strategy of putting casinos in large cities across the state to attract that vote.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:46 pmI think it’s a little too late to join the casino craze. It may have worked to some extent back in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s, but now I believe there are too many players in the game.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:08 pmIf COSI can finally get passed on weak plans and no economic forecasts to make it a viable venue for the future, why not casinos?
A riverboat at the new marina would draw a crowd, provide for start up capital for the Marina District and help revitalize an area of Toledo that has become blighted.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:43 pmDetroit has discovered the casinos did not save their economy, that if people don’t have money to spend, they aren’t going to gamble.
If there is a glut of casinos, which realistically for those who want to gamble here in Toledo, they have a variety of options that are not more than a few hours away, means that the casinos in operation and the new casinos will be fighting for a limited number of potential gamblers.
Then there is of course the increased social costs. Not even taking that into consideration, since I’m sure this issue will be debated many times over between now and November, gambling is not going to “save” this area, it’s probably not even going to generate a great deal of tourist dollars. Realistically the money spent could be better put to use in creating jobs that will actually make our area better/stronger/greener, etc. Since I’m fairly certain if this issue makes it on the ballot and voters approve it, the next step would be the gambling companies coming hat in hand to the State and the local governments looking for tax dollars/tax credits to build the casinos.
Now, if they want to make a pledge that any casino built in the state of Ohio should this pass will not include any requests for abatements/grants/land/living wage exclusions, etc., etc.? Then I’d be more supportive.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pmUnless you’re a real gambling fanatic I would think a road trip to Detroit would be more fun than coming to Toledo. This is just a gambit to get votes for casinos in Ohio. I figure those who gamble in this economic climate are fools to be parted from their cash. This certainly makes more sense for our economy than solar panel manufacturing.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:48 pmLisaRenee wrote:
Kudos to you Miss Lisa Renee. You got it absolutely correct. Governor Strickland unfortunately has it WRONG. I hope John Kasich gets the job in 2010.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:57 amThanks for the kudos GOPFlame, but I’m not sure Strickland is going to embrace this one, earlier in January the official line from the Governor’s office was:
There were those who took issue with his Keno position it’s hard to not argue that it could be a bit contradictory for Strickland to support one form of gambling, but I hope he does not support this casino effort, especially if there is any chance tax dollars would be used. Which I think we all agree, if this passes, would happen.
If he or anyone from my party or your party supports this latest attempt to bring gambling to Ohio, my position will remain consistent. It will be interesting to see if their’s does…I’m not sure if this issue alone would be enough to make people switch their support to Kaisch, it’s too early for me to start speculating as to the Governor’s race. A lot can happen between now and then.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:07 pm#2 – I would agree. Ohio missed the boat even if they do put them in now.
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 pmAren’t the casinos in Detroit losing money? I think that some casinos in Las Vegas are laying off people. I don’t think this is a good idea for Ohio right now.
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm