Dayton Daily News

Issue 6 State of Ohio

Issue Information:

Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Authorize a Casino in Clinton County, Ohio (Proposed by Initiative Petition)

League Explanation of Issue 6: This amendment would authorize a privately-owned casino in Clinton County.

1. The operator would be required to pay a tax of up to 30% annually on gross casino receipts. "Gross casino receipts" excludes payments to winners. The tax would be allocated in the following ways:

• The Ohio General Assembly would have the authority to determine a reasonable amount to be used to fund a Gaming Regulatory Commission, and receipts will be used to pay the expenses of administering the tax.

• Up to 1% of the tax collected would be used to fund prevention and treatment programs for gambling addicts.

• Following those expenditures, 10% percent of any remaining casino tax receipts would be distributed to Clinton County, and the remaining receipts distributed among all 88 Ohio counties on a per capita basis, to be used as each county sees fit.

2. If another casino were permitted in Ohio, the tax on the Clinton County casino would drop to 25% of the gross casino receipts or the rate paid by the additional casino, whichever is less.

3. The casino operator must make a minimum initial investment of $600 million for the development of a destination resort that would include the casino, a hotel and other related amenities.

4. The state may establish an initial license fee not to exceed $15 million, which will be credited against the first $15 million of taxes on gross casino receipts. There can be no further licensing fees for the Clinton County casino.

5. The state may not limit the amounts of the wagers or the hours of operation. The casino may conduct any type of card or table games, slot machines or electronic gaming devices permitted by the state of Nevada and states adjacent to Ohio, except bets on races or sporting events.

6. Persons must be 21 years old to place wagers at the casino.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:

1. Thirty-eight states - including Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania - have casino gambling. By authorizing a casino in Ohio, the profits could benefit our state rather than other states.

2. All counties in Ohio may receive tax revenue generated by the casino, and each county can decide how to best spend its money.

3. The casino will also be required to pay all other applicable taxes.

4. The casino will create jobs in Clinton County.

5. The casino will stimulate the economy by adding restaurants, hotels and ancillary businesses.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:

1. The Ohio general revenue fund, which supports basic services for Ohioans, will get $0 from the gross casino receipts tax.

2. If an additional casino were an Indian casino, which is exempt from taxes, the Clinton County casino might not pay any taxes, either, on the gross casino receipts.

3. Ohioans may spend money at the casino they would have spent at other existing Ohio businesses such as restaurants, movies, or sports events, adversely impacting those businesses.

4. Ohio lottery profits, currently dedicated to education, may decrease because people will gamble at the casino instead of playing the lottery.

5. The number of gambling addicts in Ohio would increase, and the tax receipts dedicated to providing treatment for addicts (0.3% of gross casino receipts) could be insufficient.

Websites:

In support of the proposed amendment: My Ohio Now (http://www.yesonissue6.com/)

In opposition to the proposed amendment: Vote No Casinos (www.votenocasinos.com)