The state of Ohio might be moving a bit quicker than anyone would have expected into the industry of casino gambling. First, voters have approved four new casinos in the state, Governor Ted Strickland is now once again talking about expanding slots at Ohio’s racetracks.

 

 

Over the past year, gambling in Ohio has moved from almost non-existent, to something that could be a huge provider of jobs as well as tax revenue. The four new casinos, one each for Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Columbus, are hoped to generate thousands of new jobs and millions in tax revenue for Ohio.

On Sunday, Governor Strickland addressed a group of horsemen, saying that he will approve legislation to allow video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks as soon as any legal issues can be cleared up. Strickland approved of slots in 2009, but the issue has remained held up in the courts since then.

Several groups exist who do not want to have the slots at racetracks, LetOhioVote,org being one of the major contributors to the court delays. Once the court proceedings have been completed, Strickland hopes to it will help the struggling horse racing industry in Ohio. Racetrack slots lack the free casino bonus type incentives that online casinos can offer, but the hope is that the convenience factor will make up for the lack of monetary encouragement to play casino games here.

In the past decade, voters in Ohio have had several chances to legalize casinos, but have turned them down each time, that is until last November. The owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers Daniel Gilbert will own the first two of the casinos, while Penn National Gaming already holds the rights for the remaining two.