Ohio gambling faces two new hurdles

COLUMBUS, Ohio —- As reported by the Dayton Daily News: "Efforts to expand gambling in Ohio took a double-barreled assault Monday, July 20.

"• LetOhioVote.Org, a newly formed committee, asked the Supreme Court to affirm the right of voters to decide whether video slot machines should be placed at Ohio's seven racetracks. If the court agrees, the group will launch a petition drive to put the issue on the November 2010 ballot and delay plans to roll out the slots before then, Carlo LoParo, spokesman for the group, said.

"• Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced an investigation into alleged irregularities involving petition circulators gathering signatures to put a plan for four casinos before voters on Nov. 3. In a news release, Brunner said "in the end it is likely to be the Ohio Supreme Court that will determine whether this issue is submitted to voters this fall."

"The challenge to the slots plan comes three days after Gov. Ted Strickland signed a new $50.5 billion, two-year state budget that includes the slots. The budget projects that slots would rake in $933 million over two years to help balance the budget.

"If successful, the lawsuit could throw the budget out of balance quickly..."