Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Voters in struggling Ohio approve 4 urban casinos

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downturn have approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades.

Tuesday's vote is a significant victory for Penn National Gaming Inc. and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

They spent nearly $35 million to promote four casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.

Unemployment in Ohio has topped 10 percent. A study commissioned by the campaign predicted nearly 40,000 jobs and $4 billion in economic impact.

Voters approved amending the Ohio Constitution with details on where casinos could be built and how to distribute generated tax revenues to various agencies.

2009-11-04     05:05:26 GMT

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