Unemployment in Ohio has soared above 10 percent. A decline in income-tax revenue has set off a battle over balancing the state budget that lingers nearly four months into the fiscal year. Casinos could raise nearly $1 billion for the government’s coffers.
The latest Ohio Newspaper poll, conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati, found that 59 percent of registered voters support Issue 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Some are worried that the enthusiasm may not translate into support at the polls, said Herb Asher, an emeritus political science professor at Ohio State University.
"What we've seen in the past is that gambling issues do well early on in the campaign, and then all of those voices weigh in and support erodes very sharply," he said. "What you've got this year is the economy, the idea of keeping dollars in-state, and the growing awareness that there's gambling all around us having an impact."
This year's gambling referendum asks voters to amend the Ohio Constitution on such casino issues as the parcels on which casinos could be built; how to distribute a 33 percent casino tax to counties, cities, schools and gambling regulation and drug treatment services; and the $300 million in ongoing state license fees and minimum investments required for each facility.
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