GAMBLING Tsagaris asked to attend state gaming summit

WARREN -- Trumbull County Commissioner James Tsagaris is invited to attend a March 24 statewide gaming summit in Columbus.
Tsagaris has been a key proponent of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma's efforts to locate a gaming resort in Lordstown.
The idea behind the summit is to show how areas of Ohio can benefit economically from such ventures.
The event is being organized for legislative leaders by Rep. William J. Seitz, a Republican from Cincinnati.
It also will include representatives from Lorain, Cincinnati and Cleveland, and racetrack owners.
Tsagaris' colleague Commissioner Daniel Polivka said this week he would not support an Indian gaming casino until state-level questions about the proposal are answered.
Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, who opposes expansion of gambling, said Indian casinos very likely will not be established in Ohio as long as the state does not permit Class 3 gambling.
A constitutional amendment to allow full-service casino gambling or an expansion of the state lottery with slot machines in horse-racing tracks are the only avenues available to proponents.
Two weeks ago, county commissioners, Lordstown Mayor Michael Chaffee, and representatives of the tribe and developer Capital 1 Inc. announced options by the tribe and developer to buy property in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
The 137 acres are on two parcels northeast of the Ohio Turnpike, between Exit 216 and state Route 45. The project would be a $125 million to $250 million venture.