Casino Voted Down In Ohio, Loopholes Created Voter Anxiety
Ohio voters rejected a proposal to build a casino Tuesday. With about fifty percent of the votes counted, ballots were running almost two to one against the establishment of the new casino.Opponents were as put off by the language of the bill as intrinsic nature of the casino. The issue was promoted as bringing potentially more than $200 million a year to state revenues, but loopholes that would have allowed the casino to pay no taxes were exposed.
As is often the case, the funding for the opposition came from a rival company. Penn National Gaming advertised heavily against the proposal, as it attempted to protect its Argosy Casino in Indiana from competition.
The Ohio project was forecast to provide 10,000 new jobs, as well as the enormous tax contribution. But the fine print allowed the casino to avoid taxes in the event a tribal casino opened and did not share the tax burden. State lawmakers are unable to unilaterally impose taxes on tribal casinos.
The problem with wording leaves open to speculation the possibility of voters approving a better-written measure. If a casino proposal were advanced that did not contain such hidden red flags, many who voted no this time may change their minds.
In the meantime, Ohio gamblers will have to continue to cross state borders to enjoy their entertainment, taking millions of dollars with them.
