Issue 3: Casinos In OH- For or Against?

I am totally against Casinos I respect your opinion, but that doesn't stop the millions of dollars taken out of our state to surrounding state casinos and Canada, giving them great schools and other benefits while we suffer. #1, what jobs would a Casino create...Casino workers? That's just about it! And not everyone wants to work in a Casino. Well, besides there being many different working parts to a casino, for some to be faced with a casino job or none, as is the case for 10% of the working population here, they would choose the casino. Second, the revenue brought in will revitalize surrounding areas for business, as the visitors will want places to eat, have other entertainment, shop, etc. These new businesses will also bring jobs that are sorely needed to Ohio. #2, they are absolutely right that out of state experienced Casino workers would get the jobs first! One of the companies I worked for was bought out by a big Corporation in Texas, and they sent people from other divisions of their corporation to run the company; they opened up quite a few positions, but those that got those positions were those from out of state...and they came with top, huge salaries, leaving the local people with the same pay that they were making before this Corporation got involved. I understand this, but I bring up again for people that are desperate for a job, they will take $7.35/hr over $0.00/hr. Also, wouldn't these new people be gaining experience in casinos, at least the ones that find they want to make a career out of it? Those that take their job seriously and go above and beyond would rise in the corporation all the time, and get the chance to travel to other casinos as well; then becoming the ones to train the new people in a casino in a new state. And #3 reason, there is enough addictions going on in the country that our government has to provide funds for: rehab, counciling, and disability, welfare... when someone has a gamlbing addiction who do you think helps them when they have no money left....the government. But don't these people have an addiction whether there is a casino local in their state or not? Gambling addiction is a sickness like all the rest, why shouldn't the government help in some capacity? Otherwise the sickness continues. These people already exist, even here in Ohio. They travel to the casino 20 minutes away, or even further to salve their habits. Why should that money have to go out of state until there is a problem realized? Also, we already have lottery here that people gamble on, and many illegal venues that people go to gamble on. A casino is a benign entity, it doesn't create gambling addicts, however unfortunately it does serve them. But the revenue that they will pump into the government and economy will more than help the small population of people that are gambling addicts.

The opposition says there won't be jobs, that they will all go to imported workers. But that's still 30,000+ people coming to our state--buying homes, renting apartments and houses, buying groceries and other things and paying taxes. They'll eat at restaurants which will need more employees, shop at our stores which might hire more people, travel and spend their money here. That's a drop in the bucket but still more revenue for our state! You know what? I thought this in the back of my head when it was first said, but didn't entertain that thought long as it was my thought that not many people from the big casino cities would want to come here lol. But maybe TruthPAC wants us to believe that these people will be commuting from Las Vegas to Ohio everyday?

You know what? I agree. This is such a non issue that it should have been voted in a long time ago. But we live in a state of religious conservatives that have been fighting this from the word go. I really think that TruthPAC, the organization campaigning against the casinos, are a group of rich religious fundies here teamed up with representatives of the casinos from IN, WV, and Canada. I believe the union fight will have to be separated, because we have to get the casino okayed first. I think that can be done in the next general election, because it will take longer than a year to build these casinos. I understand your qualms about minimum wage, however even a bunch of jobs at this level would help the economy here greatly.

I am sorry for your situation. There are many places here in the United States where casinos are very close to each other, but I cannot see why having two casinos in a place that only takes an hour to traverse is necessary. As you say, especially with the many gambling ships coming in and out of harbor. I hope that this does not put a depression in your lifestyle or economy over there. My prayers are with you.