In a surprise turn of events in Ohio horse racing politics, it has been reported that a group vehemently against the expansion of slot machine gaming into state racetracks has figuratively put down its arms, seemingly paving the way for
the governor to now move forward with his slots-at-tracks plan.
According to a report by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the principal players behind Let Ohio Vote, the anti-racino gaming group, have now cited the passage of Issue 3 last fall, which stated that a total of four full casinos could be built in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.
Let Ohio Vote had previously been looking to send the issue to the public via referendum in November.
The article explains that the funding behind Let Ohio Vote remains a secret, and that the group has listed all $1.55 million of its cash as coming from a Virginia-based group which was formed to engage in political activities and that is required only to file reports with the Internal Revenue Service.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer report goes on to state that decision comes just five days after the Ohio State Racing Commission approved the sale of Thistledown in North Randall to Harrah's Entertainment, the largest gaming company in the world. Harrah's had previously indicated it would not purchase the track if Ohio permanently barred slots from ever being legalized at the tracks.
(With files from The Cleveland Plain Dealer)