While the Ontario Liberals have chosen to end its profitable Slots-At-Racetracks program that other governments have sought to emulate, the Ohio horse racing industry is experiencing a resurgence thanks to a recently implemented video lottery terminal (VLT) revenue sharing program of its own.

VLTs were introduced at Scioto Downs in June, which has since generated purse increases of 50 per cent or more per race through the horsemen's nine per cent share of revenue and has sparked a 35 per cent increase in live handle at the track. Officials from the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association also expect an increase in the number of mares bred in the state, which has dropped from 2003 when Ohio led the nation with 2,591 mares bred to just 687 in 2010. The Ohio Sires Stakes Finals, which were held Saturday night have already seen purses increase from $75,000 last year to $100,000.

An article in the Dayton Daily News explains that the Ohio horse racing industry generated $900 million and 25,000 jobs directly involving more than 250,000 people before slots were introduced at racetracks in the neighbouring states of Pennsylvania and Indiana in 2006. Unable to compete with the increase in purse money generated by the new racino jurisdictions, Ohio's racing industry shrunk to just 15,000.

“We’ve all been waiting for so many years for slots to save racing in Ohio,” Vickie McNabb, director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, was quoted as saying in the article. “We know all of our struggles are going to turn and racing in Ohio will be good again.”

Scioto Downs has also been able to renovate its simulcast penthouse with revenue from the VLTs and the clubhouse dining room will undergo a $1 million renovation now that the meet has wrapped up.

However, the rapid changes to the purse structure have prompted concern for local owners with lesser quality in stock fearing they will be pushed out of business with competition beginning to increase before they can adjust. Such concerns have prompted the racing associations to discuss preferences for Ohio horsemen.

“We know with the bigger purses, we need to put out a better product,” said McNabb. “We need to upgrade our horses. We just need time. Based on what happened at Scioto, we’re trying to protect our local horse owners so they have an opportunity to race for the better purses.”

The Ohio Lottery Commission is also reviewing the applications for expanded gaming at five other racetracks in the state.

(With files from The Dayton Daily News and The Columbus Dispatch)