Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
Columbus, OH (AHN) - Two decades of opposition to gambling ended in Ohio Tuesday as a proposition to build casinos in the state's four major cities garnered more than 53 percent votes.
The approval of Issue 3 allows Penn National Gaming to operate Las Vegas-style casinos in Cincinnati and Toledo. Dan Gilbert, owner of the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers, will also be allowed to build casinos in Cleveland and Columbus.
The four casinos will have a combined 20,000 slot machines.
The vote Tuesday was the fifth time in 20 years that gambling had been proposed to Ohio voters. The first four votes rejected gambling and casinos. But the turnaround makes Ohio the 39th state to legalize gambling.
The voters approved Issue 3 to help solve Ohio's budget problems as the casinos will rake in 33 percent gaming tax aside from generating 40,000 jobs.
Article © AHN - All Rights Reserved
|
