Ohio voters defeat controversial casino measure

OHIO -- As reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "Issue 6 - which promised a casino and resort in southwestern Clinton County, 10,000 new jobs and $211 million a year to be divided among Ohio's 88 counties - appeared headed for defeat Tuesday night.

"With 42 percent of the vote tallied, 62 percent (1,249,375 voters) opposed the casino and 38 percent (765,584 voters) approved it, according to unofficial results from the Ohio secretary of state's office.

"The early results showed just three counties, in addition to Clinton County, supported the casino. Results were unavailable from the most populous counties such as Cuyahoga, Lucas, Franklin and Hamilton.

"...The Beachwood-based casino promoters, MyOhioNow, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. They have said an expensive advertising campaign organized by Penn National Racing, the owners of the Argosy Casino near Cincinnati, was their biggest obstacle. The Argosy would be the hardest-hit competitor if the casino opened in Clinton County.

"Rick Lertzman, co-founder of MyOhioNow, said recently that Ohio gains nothing if voters reject the casino. The state would lose jobs, and hundreds of millions of Ohio gamblers' dollars would continue to cross the border to casinos in Indiana, he said..."