Odd couple: 2 groups join forces to oppose casinos

COLUMBUS (AP) — Two advocacy groups formed an unlikely alliance Monday to oppose a plan to put casinos in Ohio’s largest cities, temporarily casting aside opposing philosophies to say that casinos would harm Ohio’s economy, increase crime and require increased social spending.

Citizens for Community Values, a socially conservative organization that pushed Ohio’s constitutional amendment against gay marriage in 2004, visited the headquarters of liberal group ProgressOhio. The two organizations, diametrically opposed on most issues, believe that the casino plan will have social and economic costs that outweigh whatever benefit it would bring.

“Nothing comes to mind immediately,” said David Miller, vice president of public policy for Citizens for Community Values, when asked whether he could think of other issues that have brought the two sides together.

The two groups stood behind the findings of John Kindt, a University of Illinois business and legal policy professor.

Kindt said comprehensive studies have shown a rise in crime of 8 percent to 10 percent a year, on average, after the opening of a gambling facility. Kindt is a contributing author and editor of the U.S. International Gambling Report.