As developers start working on building four new gambling casinos around the state, some folks in Columbus have asked if the facility in their city can be moved.
State Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, said he'd like to take advantage of that.
State Issue 3, which was approved in November, included very specific language covering where the four proposed casinos would be built right down to the street addresses. With Columbus-area politicians and business leaders now pressing for another venue for their facility, state lawmakers are considering another constitutional amendment to make the change.
Hagan said he "would add to it the amendment that would allow and attach a caveat that Youngstown, Oh., would then have the ability to build a casino for its own city."
Hagan said his request will be to use the now-closed Anthony's on the River location in Youngstown.
Back in October during a debate on Issue 3, developer Dan Gilbert made this statement about the chances cities like Youngstown might have in getting their own casinos if the issue passed: "If there was another amendment for casinos in Ohio, they will get zero resistance, and we will have zero, zero dollars opposing it in any way, shape or form."
While people like Mahoning County Democrat Chairman Dave Betras are endorsing Hagan's idea, others aren't being so amenable. A spokesman for Penn National, the firm developing the Columbus casino, claims they will only support changes covering "an acceptable alternative location," but nothing beyond that.
He suggested if Youngstown wants a casino, then developers should put their own plans together for one and not simply attach amendments to other amendments.
"Here's the deal, they don't get a vote in the legislature and they shouldn't have a vote," Hagan said.
Hagan said he'll try to persuade his colleagues in the General Assembly to allow his idea to be tacked on to any proposed amendments for Issue 3. But, he warns, if they decide to let the Columbus change stand on its own, he thinks voters around the rest of the state, especially in this area, will defeat it.
We should know more soon. If lawmakers want this on the May ballot, they've only got a few weeks to decide.
