United Efforts Tied Against Casinos in Ohio
In the events leading up to the election in November, those running for public office have united as a tri-partisan force to gather votes by confronting the potential case of gambling in Ohio.
The Democrats, Republicans and Independents recently joined arms at the Cuyahoga County Community, vowing to move to ensure that casinos would not proliferate in the state.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland, Republican Sen. George Voinovich and "Vote No Casino" supporters all agreed that slots and casinos would do nothing but lead to unnecessary problems for the Ohioans and the state.
The proposal to allow casino gambling in Ohio has been a widely debated issue. While gaming enthusiasts and supporters argue that addictions are already a problem in Ohio anyway so the state might as well make the most of whatever good comes out casinos in the state, just like other states that are using gambling revenues for specified beneficiaries.
In the proposal, the revenue that would potentially be generated by gambling would be distributed according to the following: Gaming owners, 55%; Horse racing purse funds, 6%; college scholarships, 30%; local governments, 8%; and gambling addiction services, 1%.
"This is the first time in Ohio that there's been a real opportunity. Not somebody's idea, not somebody's promise, but rather a real revenue opportunity to create meaningful college opportunities for kids that can't afford them or maybe in some cases are able to go one or two years but can't complete their degree," said Greater Cleveland Partnership President Joe Roman.
Still, Ohio voters have twice before turned down proposals to allow casino gambling.
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