According to a report, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland met with a group of 400 standardbred and thoroughbred horsepeople on Sunday and said that he will do what he can to

make video lottery terminals a reality for state racetracks.

An article on cleveland.com states that Strickland said that he couldn't promise anything quickly, but that he would not waste time in approving the machines.

"We still need to clarify the issue," Strickland was quoted as saying. "When I have authority under current law, I'll move forward with [the VLTs]."

Strickland had given approval for slots at racetracks in 2009, but that effort was derailed by a well-funded group called letohiovote.org which were seeking public referendum on the issue.

"I can read between the lines," Strickland was quoted as saying. "Because of the cost of the [petitions], someone had to pay for it. I have a good idea where the money came from. I don't know if it will come off the ballot. If not, we'll work to do the best we can over time."

(With files from cleveland.com)