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Butler County leaders back casino issue

Officials say gambling could bring $17 million into local coffers

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 9:03 PM Thursday, October 1, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Butler County commissioners unanimously backed a state ballot issue allowing casinos in four major Ohio cities at their regular meeting Thursday evening, Oct. 1.

County officials say Issue 3 stands to benefit the county to the tune of $17 million — $7 million to local schools and $10 million to the county general fund — through licensing fees passed down by the state.

This is sorely needed as the county faces a burgeoning budget gap amid recession, said Commission President Donald Dixon.

“I think it makes sense to capture those dollars for our community and for Ohio,” Dixon said.

The issue — which would allow casinos in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Toledo — goes before voters Nov. 3.

Commissioners Gregory Jolivette and Charles Furmon pointed out that countless local residents make regular out-of-state gambling trips.

“You’ve heard a sucking sound as money goes outside the state to Indiana, to Michigan, to Pennsylvania,” Jolivette said. “Every (Ohio) county will benefit from this proposal.”

Furmon himself said he and some friends recently visited Hollywood Casino in Indiana.

“Just counting the cars in the parking lot, at least seven out of every 10 cars had Ohio license plates,” Furmon said.

Plus commissioners – who met Thursday in the Middletown City Building – said they were hopeful a proposed casino in Cincinnati would create construction and casino jobs for local residents.

Across the state, issue backers say it will bring 34,000 jobs, $1 billion in private investment, take in $200 million in licensing fees and $651 million a year to school districts, local governments and state programs.

Some opponents say casinos would mostly benefit out-of-state interests. Others are opposed to gambling on principle.

A recent Cox Ohio Publishing/Ohio Newspaper Poll found Ohio voters back Issue 3, 59-38 percent, with 3 percent undecided.

“I hope that the citizens of Butler County will support this issue, this proposal because it makes sense for Ohio and it also makes sense for Butler County,” Jolivette said.

Staff Writers William Hershey and Laura A. Bischoff contributed to this report.

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