Debate set on Ohio’s casino issue Monday

STAFF REPORT

KENT — Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert and Ohio Roundtable Vice President Rob Walgate will debate the pros and cons of Issue 3, Ohio’s casino issue, at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Kent State University, with students representing Ohio colleges serving as panelists.

Western Reserve Public Media’s Fusion channel (WNEO 45.2/WEAO 49.2) will air the debate live. Both Fusion and Western Reserve PBS (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1), the organization’s primary channel, will air the debate on tape delay that evening at 9.

Area cable positions for Fusion include Time Warner Cable, 368; and Armstrong Cable, 416.

Issue 3 calls for an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to authorize four casinos. Gilbert is a financial backer of the casino issue and, together with Penn National Gaming, would have exclusive rights to build one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.

Walgate’s organization, Ohio Roundtable, is a conservative public policy group that has led campaigns against expanded gambling in Ohio in 1990, 1996, 2006 and 2008.