From the 4/24/07 Dispatch:

 

 

Instant racing re-creates debate

Gambling proposal wouldn't require voters' approval

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Less than six months after Ohio voters soundly defeated a measure to allow slot machines at horse-racing tracks, lawmakers are pushing a proposal to allow devices that look like slots but allow players to place bets on thousands of old races.  The instant-racing proposal could breathe life into Ohio's dying horse-racing industry and provide tax revenue to expand a popular in-home-care program for seniors, its supporters say.

 

Critics, however, call it a sneaky way to expand gambling in a state where nearly 57 percent of voters rejected last November?s ballot measure to allow slot machines at the state's seven racetracks.  Under the new proposal, which has found bipartisan support in the House and Senate, racetracks could install terminals in which players would insert money and wager on a race based on the winning percentages of horses, jockeys and trainers. Participants in the race, along with the date and location of the race itself, would not be revealed.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/04/24/20070424-A1-00.html

 

From the 4/25/07 Dispatch:

 

 

Race machines are not slots, backers testify

Aim is to help tracks, GOP sponsor says

Wednesday,  April 25, 2007 3:36 AM

By James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

It looks like a slot machine, takes in and coughs up coins like a slot machine and even bleeps like one.  But the video racing terminals proposed for Ohio's seven horse-racing tracks aren't slot machines, Sen. Steve Stivers took pains to emphasize during a legislative hearing yesterday. Rather, they're horse races in a box.

 

The Upper Arlington Republican and other supporters of "instant racing" in Ohio engaged in some verbal gymnastics as they pitched the idea for a more user-friendly gambling option in a state that's been hostile to new forms of wagering.  Stivers and other members of the Senate Finance Committee heard testimony from four proponents of a bill that would allow instant racing at horse tracks.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/04/25/PONYUP.ART_ART_04-25-07_B3_IF6G34K.html

 

From the 4/27/07 Lima News:

 

 

Tribe wants four properties added to land claim settlement

Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 04.27.2007

 

LIMA — An American Indian tribe is tending to one piece of remaining business before settling a land claims suit it filed in 2005.  The Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma asked the court this week to add four new defendants to the settlement, so the court can enforce those agreements along with the others already settled.

 

The tribe wants to add Berns Development Group, which owns land in Warren County; the village of Botkins, which owns land in Shelby County; N&N Development LLC, which owns land in Stark County; and Midwest Highway Opportunities LLC, which is controlled by St. Rita’s Medical Center and owns land in Lima.  The tribe said in a legal filing it is concerned that if the new parties are not formally joined to its suit, the court won’t be able to enforce the agreements. The tribe, by suing a limited number of defendants never waived its right to assert other claims or accept an alternative remedy that satisfies its claim.

 

Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=37828

 

Link contains a photo.  From the 5/4/07 Enquirer:

 

Track owners worry about slots

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | [email protected]

 

Horserace track operators in Ohio are concerned about their future viability as Indiana moves closer to allowing slots at racetracks.  Over the weekend, Indiana's legislature approved expanded slot machines and Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he plans to sign the measure into law.  The change means 2,000 slot machines could be installed at Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville - the later track only a 90-minute drive from Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

 

Jack Hanessian, general manager of River Downs in Anderson Township, said with several gubernatorial candidates in Kentucky supporting similar slots expansion, he's concerned about how Ohio tracks will compete.  He explained that racetracks with slots are more lucrative and can afford to award richer "purses" - money for winning horses - which in turn attract the best horses and jockeys.  "Who's going to race with us for our paltry purses when you could race for a lot more money elsewhere?" he asked.

 

Winning horses collect an average purse of $3,909 in Ohio, compared with $6,335 nationally and $14,245 at tracks sponsored by other gaming.  Ohio voters last fall overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure for Buckeye State tracks to install their own slot machines.

 

Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070504/BIZ01/705040353/

 

Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, PA.. less then an hour and a half away from Cleveland.. brand new casino & horse track.. good thing we voted that issue down in Ohio, Cleveland surely doesn't need any of that money.. Ughhh..

Ohio bans electronic gambling machines

BY WILLIAM HERSHEY | DAYTON DAILY NEWS

August 22, 2007

 

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland and Attorney General Marc Dann on Wednesday acted to ban what they called illegal electronic gambling machines such as Tic Tac Fruit that have proliferated across the state.  Strickland issued an executive order authorizing Dann to issue an emergency rule aimed at closing a loophole in Ohio law that Dann said has emboldened game manufacturers and distributors and handcuffed police, sheriffs and prosecutors.

 

Dann said that he is sending 700 cease and desist letters to manufacturers and others involved with the machines and that they will have three days after receiving the letters to remove the games or face lawsuits filed under Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act.  Penalties in the lawsuits could reach $25,000, said Dann. 

most importantly its nice to be able to tell your kids, that no matter how many damn games of ski-ball you play, the value of that prize will never be more than $10

The value per play cannot exceed 10 dollars.  Which equals about 10,000 skee-ball tickets ;)

Crain's:

 

Local men pursue casino initiative

  RELATED LINKS

MyOhioNow.com LLC

By JAY MILLER

11:00 am, November 2, 2007

 

Two Northeast Ohioans have taken a formal step in their effort to create a casino in southwest Ohio.  Dr. Brad Pressman and Rick Lertzman yesterday filed with Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann a petition that asks Mr. Dann to approve the language of a constitutional amendment petition they plan to circulate that would allow a single casino in the state.

 

MyOhioNow.com LLC, a Beachwood firm formed by Dr. Pressman and Mr. Lertzman with backing from a major gambling company they decline to identify, wants to build a $600 million casino in Clinton County southeast of Dayton. Dr. Pressman said the 300,000-square-foot gambling hall would employ 5,000 and would generate $200 million in tax revenue that would be shared by all counties in the state.

 

Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, PA.. less then an hour and a half away from Cleveland.. brand new casino & horse track.. good thing we voted that issue down in Ohio, Cleveland surely doesn't need any of that money.. Ughhh..

 

You know whats even worse is cincinnati is going to be surrounded by casinos now.  Kentucky just passed an amendment to add 7 casinos (including 2 in Northern Kentucky).  So now Ohioans will be able to see money drive, literally, from cincy to Covington....

Group Unveils Casino Plans

Thursday,  March 13, 2008 7:26 AM

 

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Plans and designs for a multi-million dollar casino resort in Clinton County were unveiled Wednesday in southwest Ohio.  Co-founders of My Ohio Now, the group behind the $600 million casino resort in Wilmington aren't shy about what they think will happen on November fourth.  "It is going to pass in November," said Rick Lertzman, co-founder of MyOhioNow.com, about the ballot issue that would make the casino a reality.

 

If they are right, after 18 months of construction this casino resort will open.  In addition to gambling, visitors can play golf, relax at an international spa and eat at one of 8 restaurants. 

 

Officials say 5,000 new permanent jobs would also be added.  "5,000 Ohioans times $34,000 you end up with $170 million in wages that will be dispersed throughout the entire southwest region of the state," said Bradford Pressman, Co-Founder MyOhioNow.com.

 

 

Casino sketch, details made public

Wilmington News Journal

 

An artist’s rendering was unwrapped Wednesday for phase one of a proposed $600 million casino destination site in Clinton County.  Details of the project include:

 

- 220,000 square feet of casino floor space,

- 4,000 to 5,000 slot machines,

- 100 table games, a 20-table poker room,

- 20-floor hotel with about 1,500 all-suite rooms,

- 40,000 to 60,000 square foot conference center,

- 2,500-seat live theater,

- eight restaurants,

- specialty retail shops,

- golf course,

- full-service spa,

- 12,000-square-foot Kids Quest and Arcade,

- 3,000-car parking garage.

 

Full article at http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=164130

^Commuting at $4+ an gallon? Do these people even think of the near future?

This just sounds ignorant!

Hey folks,

I dont know if this has been discussed or not, but any sort of gambling or lottery is nothing but a Poor Tax.  It will affect those who it can hurt the most.  Rich people dont gamble, thats why they are rich.  The gambling will be used to cover for Strickland's poor accounting skills.

No, no one in the history of mankind has ever made the remark that gambling and lotteries are a "poor tax". Thank you for enlightening us with your truly original epiphany.

Hey folks,

I dont know if this has been discussed or not, but any sort of gambling or lottery is nothing but a Poor Tax.  It will affect those who it can hurt the most.  Rich people dont gamble, thats why they are rich.  The gambling will be used to cover for Strickland's poor accounting skills.

 

You need to venture out beyond the quarter slots and $10 blackjack tables if you think rich people don't gamble...unless poor people somehow came into thousands of dollars that allows them to play $100 hands and make $1,000 bets.

Interestingly enough, I saw 4 commercials pushing Ohio's first casino last night between the 5 to 6 channels that I was surfing. 

Hey folks,

I dont know if this has been discussed or not, but any sort of gambling or lottery is nothing but a Poor Tax.  It will affect those who it can hurt the most.  Rich people dont gamble, thats why they are rich.  The gambling will be used to cover for Strickland's poor accounting skills.

 

They actually check your income tax forms to make sure you earn less than $30k a year before they let you into casinos.

Minneapolis company joins Ohio casino venture

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 10:26 AM

By James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

One of the country’s top poker players is placing his chips on a casino in southwestern Ohio.  Lyle Berman, the chief executive of Minneapolis-based Lakes Entertainment Inc., is teaming up with a pair of Cleveland-area investors who want to build a $600 million casino-resort complex in Clinton County.

 

The investors, Rick A. Lertzman and Brad A. Pressman of MyOhioNow.com, announced this morning that Lakes Entertainment will front most of the cash needed to persuade Ohio voters to amend the state Constitution to allow gambling at a single site off I-71.  If the casino measure is approved in November, Lakes Entertainment will operate the facility with assistance from Lertzman and Pressman, Lertzman said today.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/30/casino.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

Sorry if this was posted already or something to this effect, I swear I looked.

 

This is basically the breakdown of the projected revenue annual distribution. This is based on expectations of roughly 240 million dollars in revenue and distributed to the counties based on population estimates from the 2000 census. This is the reason why Cuyahoga County has the largest share at roughly 26 million followed by Franklin at roughly 20 million. As it stands now, the counties are free to spend the money from the casino revenues in any way they see fit.

 

Adams - $507,933

Allen  - $2,015,989

Ashland  - $976,149

Ashtabula  - $1,909,217

Athens - $1,156,425

Auglaize  - $866,273

Belmont  - $1,305,162

Brown  - $785,874

Butler  - $6,185,274

Carroll  - $535,922

Champaign  - $722,777

Clark  - $2,690,054

Clermont  - $3,307,732

Clinton  - $753,498

Columbiana  - $2,082,933

Coshocton - $681,239

Crawford  - $872,871

Cuyahoga  - $25,907,314

Darke  - $990,757

Defiance  - $734,114

Delaware  - $2,044,164

Erie  - $1,478,469

Fairfield  - $2,281,496

Fayette  - $528,432

Franklin - $19,867,134

Fulton - $782,138

Gallia - $577,423

Geauga  - $1,689,299

Greene  - $2,748,486

Guernsey  - $758,126

Hamilton - $15,710,097

Hancock  - $1,325,029

Hardin  - $593,703

Harrison - $294,686

Henry - $542,873

Highland  - $759,669

Hocking  - $524,864

Holmes  - $723,762

Huron - $1,105,576

Jackson  - $606,638

Jefferson - $1,373,332

Knox  - $1,012,892

Lake - $4,228,330

Lawrence - $1,158,209

Licking  - $2,703,974

Logan  - $855,011

Lorain  - $5,290,528

Lucas  - $8,457,254

Madison - $747,365

Mahoning  - $4,786,703

Marion  - $1.230,654

Medina - $2,808,126

Meigs  - $428,797

Mercer -$760,579

Miami  - $1,837,478

Monroe  - $282,123

Montgomery - $10,390,260

Morgan  - $276,863

Morrow  - $587,812

Muskingum - $1,572,026

Noble  - $261,270

Ottawa  - $761,713

Paulding  - $377,149

Perry  - $633,345

Pickaway - $979,940

Pike  - $514,716

Portage - $2,826,079

Preble  - $786,840

Putnam  - $645,389

Richland  - $2,394,736

Ross  - $1,363,129

Sandusky - $1,148,415

Scioto  - $1,471,852

Seneca  - $1,090,633

Shelby - $890,415

Stark  - $7,027,014

Summit  - $10,089,868

Trumbull  - $4,183,818

Tuscarawas - $1,689,652

Union  - $760,301

Van Wert - $551,217

Vinton  - $238,002

Warren  - $2,943,574

Washington - $1,175,530

Wayne  - $2,073,436

Williams  - $728,316

Wood  - $2,250,013

Wyandot - $425,749

 

How would they really know? Seeing that  gas is exploding.  So small rural counties get money just for doing nothing?

So small rural counties get money just for doing nothing?

Don't you mean basically all counties get money for doing nothing (with the exception of Clinton County)?

How do you guys feel about a casino in E. Flats now that they have landed a five star hotel?

^not a big fan of that idea.

1,000 instant-ticket lottery machines ordered

BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | [email protected]

 

The Ohio Lottery has tapped a new contractor to run the agency's gaming system, Atlanta-based Intralot USA, which also has plans to open a plant in Southwest Ohio to make instant-ticket vending machines.  Intralot chief executive Tom Little said his company was eyeing a site near Lebanon for the factory, which would employ around 100 workers. He said Ohio has ordered 1,000 machines.

 

Intralot USA, a subsidiary of a Greece's Intralot SA, was designated the apparent successful vendor to the Ohio Lottery, starting July 1, 2009.  The contract still has to go before Ohio's Controlling Board on June 2 for final approval.  The contract lasts two years, but has up to four two-year renewals with a base contract value of $170 million over 10 years.

 

Full article at http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080514/BIZ01/805140336

Those states can have casino gambling! The only thing its going to benifit is the casino owners.. have you seen the development around the casinos in detroit? oh wait their isnt any..Peopl who go to casinos dont venture into the areas surrounding it...they go straight tot he casino and waste their money when they could be investing it into their future like paying their mortgage payments, or buying health insurance, or providing or their families, we dont need the "evils" of gambling to help our state grow. And we already had a referendum on casino gambling and it failed. we need to move and develop our states natural wonders rather then depend on stupid people throwing money away to big corperations.

looks like a bribe to the county governments to me.

Casino closer to state vote

Company paid for petitions

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/NEWS0108/808050318/1169/NEWS

Those states can have casino gambling! The only thing its going to benifit is the casino owners.. have you seen the development around the casinos in detroit? oh wait their isnt any..Peopl who go to casinos dont venture into the areas surrounding it...they go straight tot he casino and waste their money when they could be investing it into their future like paying their mortgage payments, or buying health insurance, or providing or their families, we dont need the "evils" of gambling to help our state grow. And we already had a referendum on casino gambling and it failed. we need to move and develop our states natural wonders rather then depend on stupid people throwing money away to big corperations.

 

I see what you're saying, but there are casinos already within a 20 minute drive from DT Cincy, but we're not seeing any of the $$$ ... Plus, you're tip-toeing around a "nanny-state" ideal.

Those states can have casino gambling! The only thing its going to benifit is the casino owners.. have you seen the development around the casinos in detroit? oh wait their isnt any..Peopl who go to casinos dont venture into the areas surrounding it...they go straight tot he casino and waste their money when they could be investing it into their future like paying their mortgage payments, or buying health insurance, or providing or their families, we dont need the "evils" of gambling to help our state grow. And we already had a referendum on casino gambling and it failed. we need to move and develop our states natural wonders rather then depend on stupid people throwing money away to big corperations.

 

I see what you're saying, but there are casinos already within a 20 minute drive from DT Cincy, but we're not seeing any of the $$$ ... Plus, you're tip-toeing around a "nanny-state" ideal.

 

Almost a thousand jobs are being lost in Wilmington due to DHL leaving.  Desperate times. What a coincidence.

^oh, its much more than "a thousand"

I think it's 8000 not to mention spinoff, and yes, what a coincidence.

Casinos are stupid enough to begin with; this is one of the most ridiculous plans I've ever heard of.  The people behind this have tons of money to heap this campaign upon Ohioans with 24-7 advertising...it's this same people who will go to keep the casino situation from ever expanding after this thing gets built.  They recognized a unique opportunity with DHL leaving to arouse and then exploit people's sympathies into setting up a situation that's way better for them than any deal allowing a half dozen or so casinos around the state.  Further, since Wilmington is an hour "inland", this plan does nothing to take advantage of out-of-state gamblers as would one that mirrors what Indiana and others have done.  Plus, Wilmington sits in one of the flattest and most uninspiring parts of the state, meaning this thing is going to be as or more obnoxious than most casinos.       

increased revenue does not equate to increased happiness. Im scared to what will happen to some peoples sense of control. A voter refrendum has already passed not allowing gambling this does not mean a "nanny state" it means we dont want this crap corrupting our population to spend more money they dont have.

increased revenue does not equate to increased happiness. Im scared to what will happen to some peoples sense of control. A voter refrendum has already passed not allowing gambling this does not mean a "nanny state" it means we dont want this crap corrupting our population to spend more money they dont have.

 

Don't be naive.  The people gambling in Lawrenceburg are not Indiana farmers.  There's nothing like watching someone come to the craps table to launder their drug money!  4-5 thousand in $20 bills!  They make a few bets, then wander off!

 

A casino in Wilmington will do nothing to stem the flow of money out of the state.

^Then I think they should reinstate prohibition as well in the State of Ohio.  I mean seriously, it causes MUCH more trouble than gambling.  Alcoholism, drunk driving deaths, family problems, medical problems, violence/abuse...need I go on?  If people want to drink, let them drink in other states that have alcohol!  We don't need that kind of industry in Ohio, jobs or no jobs that it may create here!  I don't need my tax dollars going towards alcohol rehab here in Ohio.

 

  Does this sound silly to you?  It does to me, just as silly as people telling me how gambling is SO bad...yet we have instant lotto, mega millions, keno, church casino nights, church bingo..which is ALL GAMBLING but still "ok".  The poor don't gamble at casinos, it is too expensive.  They WILL, however, play the instant games at a local bar or gas station, so which really does prey on the poor? 

 

  Is gambling "the answer"?  No...but will it at least create jobs and have a positive spin off economy to other local establishments?  Yes.  Casinos have security on and around the immediate premisis, tax revenues hire more city police.  I don't buy the increased crime rate thing.  I have been to Niagra Falls, I didn't feel afraid for my life.  If done properly, there is nothing wrong with casinos...let ME choose if I want to go or not!

They need to build these in the URBAN cities of the state.    Not the fields of Wilmington.     

Almost a thousand jobs are being lost in Wilmington due to DHL leaving.  Desperate times. What a coincidence.

 

DHL plan raises casino stakes

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/BIZ01/808130303/1076/NEWS

 

Big promises of desperately needed jobs have this small community of about 12,000 abuzz with the debate over whether to support a casino operation just outside town.  Proponents of a statewide initiative to make the proposed casino legal say the project would create 5,000 jobs.  That possibility comes as air delivery service DHL is considering largely shutting down its hub operation here - a move that could devastate the area's largest employer, ABX Air, which operates the Wilmington air park and provides other services for DHL.  Up to 12,000 jobs could be lost at the air park and the surrounding region.

 

At Books 'N' More on Main Street in downtown Wilmington, mother and daughter Marla and Jen Stewart say job concerns have boosted support for the measure, although many residents worry that a casino could damage the community's character.  Job stability is a real concern in Marla Stewart's household.  While the 58-year-old owns the bookstore, her husband, Dan, works at the hub for DHL.

No, no one in the history of mankind has ever made the remark that gambling and lotteries are a "poor tax". Thank you for enlightening us with your truly original epiphany.

 

I've always said the lottery is a tax on people that don't know math.

Almost a thousand jobs are being lost in Wilmington due to DHL leaving.  Desperate times. What a coincidence.

 

DHL plan raises casino stakes

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/BIZ01/808130303/1076/NEWS

 

Big promises of desperately needed jobs have this small community of about 12,000 abuzz with the debate over whether to support a casino operation just outside town.

 

 

 

 

I wish I could find the info I had emailed to me on the guy who's the driving force behind all this. He has an interesting history. Was CEO of Wilson Leather, I believe. He's won MILLIONS from World Poker Tour over the years.

 

Meanwhile, I go to Atlantic City and lose 10 dollars in 2 minutes. Some people have all the luck.

 

P.S - Why is this in "City Discussion"? This should be in Ohio Business or Ohio Politics. It could be considered a "city discussion" since there is a casino proposal in Wilmington but the topic is more abstract and inclusive than that.

 

 

Casino plan cuts counties in

Backer's estimates tempting

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080825/NEWS01/808250302/1055/NEWS

 

If successful - and polls show it might be - an Ohio ballot initiative to build a $600 million casino near Wilmington in Clinton County could mean big bucks for Ohio counties.  The proposal would direct most of the estimated $240 million in projected annual revenue from the casino's gaming taxes to Ohio's 88 county governments based on their population.

 

One Hamilton County commissioner is already crafting a plan to invest the county's estimated $15.7 million in public safety and economic development.  The estimates come from MyOhioNow.Com, which is spearheading the casino effort and basing projections on how much casinos in Southeast Indiana make.

Casino opponents bring up loophole in law

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Posted September 16, 2008 20:05PM

 

Opponents of a casino-gambling proposal on the November ballot say it contains a loophole that could exempt the casino from paying the millions of dollars in taxes to every county in the state.  But backers of the proposal guarantee that the taxes will be paid.  One thing everyone can agree on about the amendment on the November ballot that would allow gambling in Ohio: if an American Indian casino opens in the state, a legal battle is likely.

 

At issue is how much taxes a proposed Clinton County casino, which prompted the amendment, will pay if an Indian casino opens in Ohio. Clinton County is between Columbus and Cincinnati.  A portion of the amendment says that the tax rate on gross casino receipts "shall not exceed the lesser of 25 percent or the lowest percentage rate payable by any other casino subsequently authorized." 

 

The casino proponents have made tax receipts a major selling point by crafting the measure so some money will go directly into the coffers of all 88 Ohio counties. Projecting that the Clinton County casino would gross $800 million a year from gambling, proponents say 30 percent, or about $240 million, would be distributed to counties and for other costs.

 

Full story at http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/09/casino_opponents_bring_up_loop.html

 

BUILD IT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

BUILD IT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

Sounds like you got a few dollars to spend? ;)

BUILD IT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

Sounds like you got a few dollars to spend? ;)

 

This is how I roll.

I have a question regarding this new proposal. I know they say this will be the ONLY casino in Ohio but is this really the truth? Can they really claim the only Casino under Ohio's constitution or will their likely be law suits from other takers who want casinos in this state?

 

My main question I guess is if this proposal passes can their be other additional casinos built or lead to them getting built easier?

I have a question regarding this new proposal. I know they say this will be the ONLY casino in Ohio but is this really the truth? Can they really claim the only Casino under Ohio's constitution or will their likely be law suits from other takers who want casinos in this state?

 

My main question I guess is if this proposal passes can their be other additional casinos built or lead to them getting built easier?

 

Future Casino's would require another election.  Voting "yes" for this issue would only allow this one.

 

Has anyone read anything on why this location is selected?  I know the "given" answer - it's conveniently located between Cincy, Columbus, and Dayton.  But seriously, has anyone seen any analysis where the company detailed the general & industry environments associated with this market?  This is a pretty random, remote location.  Less than 50% of MGM Mirage's profit comes from gaming; it relies on shopping, conventions, shows, etc...the power of compliments.

 

It seems like this would be better paired in an existing Ohio city to make it more of a tourist destination...like in Cleveland and tie it with Playhouse Square?

 

At this point, you're competing with other area Casinos outside the state...how are you going to be differentating yourself in Central Ohio?

It seems like this would be better paired in an existing Ohio city to make it more of a tourist destination...like in Cleveland and tie it with Playhouse Square?

 

:-o

 

UGH... keep it in the boonies! 

 

At this point, you're competing with other area Casinos outside the state...how are you going to be differentating yourself in Central Ohio?

 

The MGM grande in Vegas is one thing... this is completely different.  I'm sure that Argosy doesn't get 50% of its revenue from shopping, shows and what not.  People in Cincinnati might be torn between Indiana and this new one... but Columbus and Dayton folks would surely flock to this.  I like the location and if it's done right it really could be a destination.

So, this Casino won't change people in Cleveland who go to PA, or people in Toledo who go to Detroit, or Y-Town who go to WV or PA.  Heck, even people in Cincy are still closer in alot of cases to Indiana.  The way the revunues from this place are dispersed have conspiracy written all over it...IMHO.