Ohio Tracks Suffering Without Slots

Published: June 11, 2009 10:33 pm EDT

A story in today’s edition of the Mount Vernon News touches on the troubling situation that is staring Ohio racetrack operators and horsepeople in the face

as they hope for the General Assembly to approves legislation to install slot machines at the state’s racetracks.

“Thistledown is in bankruptcy reconstruction. As early as next week we could see two other tracks close and another has already said it would not open next year,” said Thomas Zaino, Ohio Racing Commission member.

The racing industry in Ohio employs more than 12,000 people, and the industry has more than a $460 million impact on the economy in the state.

Margaret Ann Ruhl, Ohio’s 90th District Representative, is all for bringing slot machines to the racetracks but others in the Ohio House and Senate are against it.

“I don’t hold out a lot of hope,” Zaino said. “We continue to allow hemorrhaging as Ohioans drive $1.3 billion across the state line. It doesn’t have to be that way. We just want to create a level playing field.”

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

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