Ohio Governor Likely to Implement Slots Via Executive Order
With this statement, on top of the
previous official statement released from his office, Governor Ted
Strickland is signaling that he is likely to approve the implementation
of Video Lottery Terminals at Ohio's horse tracks via executive order.
Top advisors to the Governor have always believed that he has the
authority in the Ohio Constitution to implement VLT's as an additional
lottery game. The legislation was only added to further assure
potentially skittish investors.
Ohio's constitution, approved by the
people of Ohio, authorizes the Governor to conduct a statewide lottery
via a state agency. Under this legal theory, VLT's are simply another
form of a lottery. There are no other prohibitions against gaming in
the constitution and the Governor's executive order, under the
authority of the Ohio Constitution, would trump the Supreme Court's
ruling.
Politically, Governor Strickland has to enact VLT's by executive order. If not, he faces another bruising political fight in the Ohio General Assembly over tax increases and budget cuts as he approaches re-election.
Voters will not punish Governor Strickland for implementing slot machines at horse tracks, but they will punish him if he raises taxes in an election year. Plus, Governor Strickland is right, raising taxes in a recession only hurts Ohio taxpayers further.
I would expect an announcement from the Governor before the end of this week. Thank you.
Posted by Scott Pullins at 9/21/2009 2:20 PM 
Categories: ohio governor, ted strickland, gaming
Tags: pullins law firm gerson lehrman group mtr gaming penn national guidepoint global advisors pullins report scott pullins
Categories: ohio governor, ted strickland, gaming
Tags: pullins law firm gerson lehrman group mtr gaming penn national guidepoint global advisors pullins report scott pullins
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