Petitions Being Signed to Add Full Blown Casinos to Ohio

Gambling News - July 17th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

Not even a fortnight has past since the Governor Strickland of Ohio signed into law an executive order allowing slot gaming at the racetracks scattered throughout the state. Now petitions are circulating to add full blown casinos to the state.

Recent petitions have been disbursed and signed in attempts to get the required number of signatures to put the issue before the courts. Over 800,000 signatures have already been collected, with a requirement of only 402,275. This number was put up to officials for verification and validity. Unfortunately, things were not as clean cut as they appeared.

Many of the names were collected by or from felons, and a large number of signers that have been found to be deceased. This is a criminal allegation, and the organization circulating the petitions may face a law suit from anti-casino activists.

In one county, 46% of signers were found to be valid. The state wide number for recognition is 47%. Assuming the other areas follow in suit, the issue may be brought to the courts fairly soon.The biggest issue the pro-casino enthusiasts are facing right now is the legal issues surrounding the deceased and felonious signers. If the allegation proves to be an initiative based on the entire organization and not just a select few people, then the issue could never be brought to court.Violators of state law regarding the petition collection process will be prosecuted, and justice will be enacted.