by Frank Angst

Ohio horsemen hope state voters oppose a plan to add casinos in four of the state’s largest cities.

Issue 3 on Tuesday’s ballot will ask voters to amend the state constitution to allow free-standing casinos in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. Racetracks and horsemen fear the casinos could overwhelm interest in video lottery terminals, which have legislative approval but have faced obstacles in court.

Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Dave Basler pointed out that the casino plan would charge a one-time licensing fee of $50-million, which is less than the $65-million fee that Ohio tracks would have to pay to add VLTs.

In a letter, Basler urged Ohio HBPA members to vote against the casino plan, noting that its passage could ultimately lead to the closing of some or all of the state’s seven tracks.

In a letter to Ohio newspapers, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association President Steve McCoy predicted that the majority of the state’s seven tracks—three Thoroughbred and four Standardbred—would close.

“Horse racing is an agricultural industry that currently accounts for 16,000 jobs in Ohio, directly and indirectly, with a total economic impact between $750-million and $900-million a year,” McCoy said. “If Issue 3 passes and the four casinos are built, it is projected that a majority of the commercial race tracks in Ohio will close. That will result in an even greater loss of existing jobs.”

McCoy said Issue 3 proponents claim it will create 34,000 jobs but those figures do not include potential job losses in horse racing as well as local competing entertainment facilities, restaurants, and bars.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times