Ohio Track Slot Gambling Facing Lawsuit

Gambling opponents stay persistent in Ohio, filing a lawsuit to block the governor's plan to install slots at state race tracks.

Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio gave an executive order to the state lottery in May to start installing slot machines at state race tracks to generate revenue needed to fund the budget. But church groups and lobbyists paid by out-of-state gaming interests have filed a lawsuit to prevent the gambling expansion.

Under the name of Let Ohio Vote, gambling opponents have asked a judge to place the slot machine gaming on a voter referendum. The case will be heard before a judge on Wednesday.

The November ballot already carries a gaming expansion issue on it. Voters will decide whether to authorize the creation of four casino licenses, one each for the state's four largest cities.

Polls have shown that the track slots program is supported by two out of three residents,and the support for casino gaming is almost as high. But elections are often decided not by the prevailing general opinion, but by who shows up to vote, and religious groups are sure to press members to vote against gambling.

If the slot proposal survives the lawsuit, the state lottery commission will be expected to announce the regulations for the machine operators within the next three weeks. Applications to host slots on premises are due by September 15th.