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Ohio Investors Fund Casino Effort

DAYTON, Ohio – As reported by the Dayton Daily News: "Investors hoping to bring Indian casinos to Ohio have hired lobbyists, lawyers and architects in a high-stakes bid to convince government officials and the public that more gambling would be good for the state.

"But the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, whose interest in Ohio triggered the massive lobbying effort, hasn't spent any of its own money.

"Instead, 45 unidentified investors -- most of them from west and central Ohio -- each have contributed between $10,000 and $50,000, said Tom Schnippel, a general contractor from Botkins and president of National Capital I, the Delaware-based company exploring the Shawnees' opportunities in Ohio.

"He described the investors as grandmas, firefighters and school teachers.

"…Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, a longtime opponent of the expansion of gambling, said he's troubled by the secrecy.

"…Ohioans have no need to question the legitimacy of NCI's funding, said Charles Enyart, chief of the 2,300-member Eastern Shawnees.

"'I have never, ever had the feeling that there was anything shady going on, or the money wasn't coming from legitimate sources,' he said.

"…Gambling proponents say bleak economic prospects offer the perfect opportunity to bring casinos to Ohio…"

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