Report: Ohio track installs slots-like machines

COLUMBUS (AP) — A newspaper reports that a horse track in suburban Columbus has installed 30 slots-like computer machines days after voters approved casinos elsewhere in the state.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Wednesday that users of the “Sweepstakes” machines at Beulah Park in Grove City swipe a prepaid card to play games of chance. Winnings of up to $400 are credited to the card and can be cashed out.

Beulah Park owner Charles Ruma says it’s a move to help stay in business.

Gov. Ted Strickland and members of the horse racing industry have expressed concerned that casinos could hurt the business.

Strickland had proposed lottery-run slots at tracks to plug a budget hole, but the measure was sidelined by a state Supreme Court ruling. A spokeswoman says the computer games would violate state law if they are slots.