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Ohio Senators Push Anti-Casino Legislation

OHIO – As reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "Ohio's two Republican senators will push legislation that would keep Indian tribes from establishing casinos prohibited by the Ohio Constitution.

"Flanked by an array of other high-powered gambling opponents at a Tuesday news conference, U.S. Sen. George Voinovich vowed to keep casino interests out of the state as he has helped do twice in the last decade. He said the new bill would clarify a point of law that otherwise might allow tribes eager to establish casinos to do so even though the state's constitution prohibits it.

"…Joining Voinovich was Sen. Mike DeWine. DeWine said the societal costs of gambling are too high. Among his examples were increased suicides, crime, bankruptcies and domestic abuse.

"He said a study by the Greater Cleveland Partnership, which anticipated casinos would cause a 1 percent increase in addiction - or 109,000 additional addicts - drastically underestimates the problem.

"…Terry Casey, a lobbyist for the eastern Shawnee tribe that is pursuing Ohio land for a casino, said it is the tribe, not big gambling interests, that wants the gaming facilities…"

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