The Battle Begins

by Ed Meyer

posted on July 24, 2009 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

No guns will be fired, no casualties, and the media will play it to the hilt. In Ohio, the Governor, with the aid of the legislative body, has signed into action slot machines to go into all seven tracks in the Buckeye state. But, things will get interesting along the way before the first coin drops.

A referendum will happen in November, where the decision will be put before the people to add land-based casinos at the four population centers in the state. It has failed before, but this time may be different. The climate of gaming may be changing. Columbus may be swinging to a different tune now.

The idea behind the addition of gaming to the tracks was to generate revenue, allow statewide programs to advance, and stop the rising unemployment. It would be a logical move to allow the tracks to house additional gaming. They already have it with racing and simulcasting.  Oh, and by the way, it would allow racing to grow and survive. Sounds like a no-brainer.

Adding the additional outlets would cannibalize the tracks. It would defeat the idea in the first place, and we could be back at square one. Why would any state want to start a new industry and destroy another? One way calls for more jobs, adding money to the state coffers, allowing programs to grow, expanding educational programs, and allow racing to survive. The other idea would be spreading butter too thin. There would be too much competition, and everyone would fight for pennies. We have a logical plan, where places that already house gaming expand, and do not go beyond their boundaries.

The people need to see the bigger picture. The idea of keeping gaming at tracks even fits into the opposing forces’ ideals. Do not expand beyond the boundaries of those who already have gaming.

Give your state a chance to breath. Give your state a chance to grow. Give your state a chance to make up some lost ground during a downward economic trend.  Many other states are watching, and now is the time to make up for lost ground.