Columbus, Ohio (AP) - A petition seeking voter approval of casinos in four Ohio cities has been submitted to the state attorney general for review, and state lawmakers are exploring a separate plan that would allow slots at racetracks without going to the ballot. The Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee says the casino proposal submitted Wednesday would lead to USD 1 billion in private investment, USD 600 million in tax revenue and 20,000 new jobs.

The bingo-like lottery game that began this summer in Ohio to help plug the gaping hole in the state budget is off to a slow start. Keno has been hindered by a weak economy and challenges getting it established at 2,000 bars and restaurants, said Mike Dolan, executive director of the Ohio Lottery. Keno started August 4. The game is a central part of Governor Ted Strickland’s plan to insulate the state budget from the economic downturn that has dried up tax revenue.

The effort to bring casino gambling to Southwest Ohio was being soundly rejected by voters, who were turning down a statewide ballot that would have amended the state’s constitution to allow a new facility near Wilmington. Issue 6, which would have paved the way for legalizing the construction of a USD 600 million casino development near Interstate 71 in Clinton County, was trailing 61 percent to 39 percent – and the Associated Press said it would not pass based on those early returns.

The owner of an Indiana casino near the Ohio border is joining the fight against a ballot issue that would ask voters to allow a USD 600 million casino resort in southwest Ohio. If the issue makes the Nov. 4 ballot, voters would decide whether to amend the Ohio Constitution to allow a casino resort off Interstate 71 near Wilmington, about halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus.

Instead of a single casino that generates USD 240 million for Ohio counties, the gambling measure on the November ballot could lead to three casinos that pay no state and local taxes, opponents of the measure said yesterday. The gambling measure, designated as Issue 6, would provide a boost to an Oklahoma-based Indian tribe that's been struggling for years to win federal approval to open one or more casinos in Ohio, the Vote No Casinos committee said.

Columbus, Ohio -- As the Ohio economy struggles, will more Ohio voters be willing to place their bets on an Ohio casino? The proposed casino would cost USD 600 million and would bring 5,000 new jobs to Central Ohio, NBC 4's Lauren Diedrich reported. Those who are behind the casino development said a new casino could generate more than USD 200 million in tax revenues for Ohio's 88 counties.

A USD 600 million resort and casino in Southwest Ohio that developers hope Ohio residents will vote for this fall would be 185,806 sqm and include a 1,500-room, 20-story hotel. Partners for MyOhioNow.com, the group that hopes to develop the project, revealed an architectural design from their offices here on Wednesday. The casino would be built on Ohio 73 at Interstate 71 between Harveysburg and Wilmington, but the project first must be approved by Ohio voters.

A USD 600 million resort and casino in Southwest Ohio that developers hope Ohio residents will vote for this fall would be 185,806 sqm and include a 1,500-room, 20-story hotel. Partners for MyOhioNow.com, the group that hopes to develop the project, revealed an architectural design from their offices here on Wednesday. The casino would be built on Ohio 73 at Interstate 71 between Harveysburg and Wilmington, but the project first must be approved by Ohio voters.