Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | December 2008 22 As of November 6, backers of Issue 6 said they were gearing up for another try at bringing casino gambling to the Buckeye State. A new proposal is being drafted to not only answer criticisms of Issue 6 opponents, but to including building casino resorts in other parts of the state, including near the cities of Cleveland, Youngstown and Cincinnati. As soon as this proposal is written, the pro-casino group MyOhioNow will begin collecting signatures to get it on the November 2009 ballot, the group’s co- founder Rick Lertzman told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. WEST VIRGINIA By a mere 366-vote margin, residents of West Virginia’s Greenbrier County voted to approve a casino for the historic Greenbrier Resort. Although most local churches vocally opposed the referendumonmoral grounds, most citizens saw it as an economic development issue, thus making it the first pro-gambling initiative to be approved in the county (by 6,683 for to 6,317 against), the Charleston Gazette reported. Spurring voter approval were reports that the four-star resort had operated $40 million in the red during the previous four years. Without an additional source of income would have to close,costingmore than 1,100 local residents their jobs, owner CTX Corp. said of the resort that has been in operation since before the Civil War. Reprinted with permission from International Gaming and Wagering Business (IGWB) magazine. James J. Hodl is an associate editor for BNP Media Gaming Group, based in the Chicago area. He can be contacted at +1 630-694-4021 or by e-mail at hodlj@bnpmedia.com . Market Outlook OHIO Ohiovotersresoundingly rejected Issue 6 to build a $600 million casino near the town of Wilmington in the southwestern corner of the state. The gambling initiative generated a 62% “no” vote despite promises that the casino, to be built by Minnesota-based Lakes Entertainment, would create 5,000 new jobs in Ohio, which currently has the nation’s second highest unemployment rate, and generate $210 million in tax revenues all 88 Ohio counties would share. Issue 6 was the fourth referendum to bring casino gambling to Ohio defeated since 1990. Cincinnati, Ohio Greenbrier Resort A Sure Bet Log onto www.asgam.com for the latest industry intelligence and a subscription to our digital edition — all absolutely free.