The commission approved the rules by a 3-0 vote.
The action permits horse race track owners to begin submitting relocation applications next week. The states’ seven horse racing tracks should be able to able to begin submitting applications for slot machine permits by Nov. 1.
Penn National Gaming, Inc. wants to move its operations at Beulah Park near Columbus to a site at Wagner Ford and Needmore roads, about a mile east of Interstate 75 in north Dayton. The thoroughbred racetrack would create 1,500 jobs, according to Penn.
And, Penn National isn’t the only gaming company with an eye on the greater Dayton area. Miami Valley Trotting and Lebanon Trotting, which co-operate at the Lebanon Raceway, are considering a move along the I-75 corridor between Dayton and Monroe. The companies sublease the track from the Warren County Fair Board and have considered moving their operations for several years.
“This is another positive step for the race track,” said Keith Nixon, co-owner of the raceway, adding he plans to review the new rules, give comment on them, the begin looking for a new location.
Penn expects to open a $150 million facility in Dayton 18 months after breaking ground, according to Bob Tennebaum, spokesman for Penn,
Dayton City Commissioner Nan Whaley said the state’s action was a step in the right direction for the Dayton proposal.
“(Penn) has been open and honest with us, since they put an option on the land,” Whaley said. “This is exciting.”
Not everyone shares her enthusiasm.
A research organization that has fought previous gambling proposals claim the governor’s action violates the State Constitution, and they plan to file a lawsuit today in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. The American Policy Roundtable will host a press conference this morning in Columbus to present key points from the litigation.
“(Kasich) is just putting on a fast track, action he is not afforded to do in the Constitution,” Rob Walgate, vice president of Ohio Roundtable, an extension of the American Policy Roundtable, said.
The Columbus Dispatch contributed to this story.
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