Talks planned on new openings for 2 casinos

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio regulators plan to meet with operators of two Ohio casinos to talk about a new timetable, now that a consultant says their planned opening dates can’t be met.

Consultant Fredric Gushin of Spectrum Gaming told the state Casino Control Commission on Wednesday that more time is needed to complete required investigations of the Cleveland and Toledo facilities for licensing.

The Plain Dealer reports commission Chairwoman Jo Ann Davidson said she’s optimistic the delays will be a matter of “weeks, not months.”

The downtown Cleveland casino planned to open in March, and Toledo’s planned to follow in April. The state attempted to hurry its review to meet those timelines, but Gushin says more time is needed.

Delays aren’t expected for the later openings of casinos in Columbus and Cincinnati.