Opponents question Ohio governor on slots revenue

6/22/2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's proposal to put slot machines at Ohio's seven horse racing tracks predicts $933 million in revenue over the next two years.

But a similar proposal pushed by the Ohio State Racing Commission foresees only about $505 million coming back to the state.

Strickland dropped his longtime opposition to slot machines, saying it will help plug the state's $3.2 billion budget gap. The details of his proposal, and the rationale used to make the revenue estimate, have not been released.

Opponents of expanded gambling continued to speak out Monday against the plan, saying it may violate the state Constitution and that the projected revenue would never come to fruition.

Legal experts say it's a stretch for opponents to claim that the gambling expansion is illegal.