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Ohio casino initiative could affect Michigan

DETROIT, Michigan -- As reported by The Detroit News: "Forget the football rivalry.

"The Buckeye State is suiting up to challenge Michigan in an even bigger game: casino gambling.

"A ballot initiative likely facing Ohio voters in November would allow one full-scale casino resort each in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and -- most worrisome for Michigan's gambling halls -- Toledo.

"Currently, Ohioans' gambling options within the state are limited. There aren't any casinos. But there are horse racing tracks, bingo and lottery operations in addition to off-track betting facilities. Every surrounding state, though, except Kentucky, offers casino gambling within an hour's drive of the Ohio border.

"Most executives with Detroit's three casinos -- MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity and Greektown -- were reluctant to talk publicly about the potential effect of the proposed Ohio casinos.

"They said Ohio gamblers make up a significant part of their companies' patronage but added that out-of-state patrons spend far less time and money at Detroit casinos than Michiganians do. But they did say that more convenient gambling facilities in Ohio would make it harder for Detroit casinos to continue marketing to a regional gambling audience around the Great Lakes..."

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