Ohio Rejects Gambling Bid

Ohio voters have again rejected a referendum that would have bought a casino to the mid-western state.

Issue 6 , which would have amended the state's constitution to allow a $600 million casino resort to be built in southwestern Ohio, was defeated easily - the fourth time in 18 years that Ohio voters have turned down a gambling bid.

Initial polls suggested Issue 6 would be approved, but support for the amendment gradually decreased after a $27 million advertising campaign attacking the measure, and a public battle between two large casino developers: Minnesota company Lakes Entertainment Inc., which would have had an 80 percent stake in the new casino, and Pennsylvania company Penn National Gaming Inc., which runs the Argosy Casino in Indiana, right near the Ohio border.

The campaign against Issue 6 focused on concerns that a spate of Indian casinos could be built if it passed, pointing out that the amendment authorizes for the new casino to provide more than just the bingo and lottery-style games already permitted.

There was also concern that a loophole in the measure might allow the casino to avoid being taxed in the case of an Indian casino coming to Ohio.

Critics are predicting more gambling proposals in the future, with Senator George Voinovich (R - Ohio) saying there will be stiff resistance once again in the future.