Ohio casinos could mean less money for state

COLUMBUS -- Multimillion-dollar downpayments on racetrack slots proposed by Gov. Ted Strickland are at risk if Ohio voters approve a competing casino plan in November.

The latest version of the slots proposal requires the state to give racetrack owners their money back if a plan to legalize casinos in five cities succeeds on the fall ballot.

A Senate committee studying the slots plan is expected to debate the issue at a Friday hearing.

Each license placing slots at one of Ohio's seven tracks is projected to raise $65 million under Gov. Ted Strickland's plan, half of that during the next two-year budget.

The Democratic governor and Republican-led Senate are at an impasse over the slots plan.