Strickland opposes placing slot machines at racetracks

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Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon)

By Marc Kovac

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland does not support a potential move in the Legislature to allow slot machines at Ohio’s horse-racing tracks.

“I do not think expanding gambling is the right thing for Ohio,” the top Democratic officeholder in the state told Statehouse reporters. “I don’t think it’s the right economic development approach. And I think there are negative consequences associated with [gambling].”

Strickland offered the comments Thursday in response to questions about a move by the Ohio Racing Commission and some supportive state lawmakers to consider placing slot machines at racetracks.

The proposal would be accomplished through the legislative process, without a vote of the people, and the slots would be operated by the state lottery.

Strickland said that bypassing voters, who have on four occasions turned down gambling expansions, would be “a very, very, very wrong action” that he would “strongly object to” — even if slot proceeds were used to fund his education reform plan.

“I don’t think we need to do that for school funding,” he said. “I think I’ve presented a plan and a program that will transform our schools. It has huge support from throughout the state. ... We don’t need to go to expanded gambling to pay for it.”

The governor added that he would likely veto any slots measure approved by lawmakers.

mkovac@dixcom.com