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A former Ohio tax commissioner who currently sits on the Ohio Racing Commission says the seven commercial racetracks in the state are closer to operating slot machines than previously believed.  It is his opinion that the seven racetracks need only approach the Ohio Legislature and that seeking a statewide ballot referendum will not be necessary to legalize slot machines in the state of Ohio.

Commissioner Thomas M. Zaino is believes that the Ohio racetrack will only have to convince the state legislature to pass a law that would allow them to operate as many as 2,000 slot machines at each racing venue.  The state would receive 50 percent of revenues from slot machines, a very enticing proposition in such times where most states are seeking new sources of revenue.

This differs very much from a casino gambling proposal that seek signatures from citizens to get the casino issue on this coming ballot in November.  This competing proposal comes from Penn National Gaming seeking to install full casinos at four venues in the state.  Penn National Gaming owns Toledo’s Raceway Park in Ohio.  Unlike the proposal for slot machines, the casino proposal would only pay the racing industry three percent of gross revenues each year; that would roughly total $18 million annually.

Zaino believes that if the Ohio Lottery Commission or the Ohio Racing Commission were to regulate slot machines in the state, race tracks could begin operation without having to make any amendments to the current constitutional ban on slot machines.

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