In the US, plans to open racinos in the state of Ohio have prompted one group to seek legal action against Governor John Kasich.
The Ohio Roundtable, part of the non-profit American Policy Roundtable education and research organisation, has filed a lawsuit against the Governor in the Franklin County Court to prevent the expansion of the state lottery and to bring to a halt plans to allow gaming machines at racetracks.
According to Rob Walgate, vice president of the Ohio Roundtable, this expansion of gaming would require an amendment to the state constitution.
“The Governor has failed to honour his oath of office to uphold the rule of law by abiding by the constitution,” he said. “He has taken short cuts and negotiated back-room deals.”
The Roundtable has opposed the expansion of casino gambling in Ohio since 1988. Despite this, measures to legalise four casinos passed in 2009. Now, Governor Kasich is seeking to drive further economic growth and aid the ailing horse racing industry by allowing racetracks to develop additional gaming facilities and operate video lottery terminals.
Under the proposals announced in June, the state’s seven racing permit holders are to be given the opportunity to apply for 10-year sales agent licences to introduce VLTs at a cost of $50m per licence. As part of the deal, operators will be required to invest at least $150m in their facilities and hand over 33.5 per cent of sales revenue to the state.
This concession, however, is unlikely to appease those opposed to expanding gambling in the state.
“In 2009, Ohio voters passed a very specific amendment, written by the gambling industry, to legalise four casinos,” said Walgate. “It took an amendment in 2010 to move one of those locations in Columbus. The changes the Governor wants to make today must also go through the same legal process. He cannot abandon the rule of law just to turn a fast buck for the state.”
