Cedar Fair backs anti-slot machine cause for Ohio issue

The reason that Cedar Fair is against it is pretty obvious... they don't get to have any of the slot machines on their property. I can guarantee they'd be on the other side of the coin if they were able to build something.

The same goes for Cincinnati. Due to some poltical miscues, the ballot does not allow for slots in Cincinnati (not sure about Columbus). To that end, there are folks here that are big on defeating the measure until Cincinnati can be included. They also have the unlikely ally of the Indiana casinos. Of course once the issue comes up in this area, these allies will quickly become enemies, as the Indiana casinos could lose quite a bit of business if Cincinnati has similar places. No need to drive down river.

Instead of Not In My Backyard it is Not Unless It Is In My Backyard.

...or in the case of Cedar Point, Not Unless It Is Mine!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I believe the slots would be installed at Scioto Downs racetrack in Columbus.

In general, I enjoy gambling, but not enough to go down to that hole. I can wait until the next time I go to Vegas.

With Cleveland being on of the poorest cities in the U.S, I think any cent they can get will help.

Im voting FOR the slot machines myself...
*** This post was edited by SteveWoA 9/20/2006 3:46:23 PM ***

I don't know why Cedar Fair would care one way or the other. They provide a different type of entertainment and are successfull. They don't specialize in alot of different entertainment venues and gambling is one of them. That is just plain ignorant on their part if they are voting because they can't get their hand in the cookie jar.

Out of all the gambling licenses that are issued in the state of Illinois, (9 being used and 1 that continues to be in limbo), I never once heard of places like SFGAm even sticking their head in any debates or discussion of such licenses.

All i know is that every time a gambling proposal is passed Education gets SCREWED. (The Gambling Backers promise that "All proceeds will benefit Education". The the proposal gets passed and the next thing you know the legislature passes a law that REPLACES the current Education Fund with the one generated by Gambling, and, (Naturally) the actual money that Edcation ends up getting goes DOWN instead of up! :( The only way I would vote "Yes" on a Gambling Proposal would be if it included a "Lockbox" that stated that NONE of the current education fund would be changed and that all proceeds from Gambling would be ADDED to the Education Fund. So Far NO STATE has ever made that promise.

The type of entertainment doesn't matter though... people have a finite amount of discretionary income and free time. Cedar Fair certainly worries about people spending that time and money doing other things. CP's campaign this year is all about real-life experience and disses electronic entertainment.

This state is so far in the stone age on this issue and corrupted by special interest that IM JUST SICK. Here in Cincy we have millions go to Lawrenceburg Indiana and up around Akron Millions going to WV

In Fact Argosy of Indiana sucessfully lobbied the state of Ohio to keep SW Ohio from being included in the Gambling bill to begin with.

Friggin Politicians and lobbiest. See my signature in the forum.

Really a pity that Cedarfair would weigh in on this issue. It sure makes it look like "if they can't have them" then no one can. Regardless of the fallout and the fact that legalizing slots is not a panacea, we need gaming in this state. TOO much money goes to neighboring states when it should stay here. OHIO is always the last to get their act together. While there are many issues and problems that surround gambling in general, we as a state have got to move forward and I for one think that gaming is a small step in the right direction. Let's keep the money here where it belongs.

As a game designer for a leading slot maunfacturer all I can say is too bad. If Cedar Fair could find a way to get in on the action, they could make scads of money.

I wouldn't count on slot machines and gambling to solve your state's economic problems. Look at Atlantic City, go two blocks inland from the Boardwalk and you're in the middle of the slums.

Seems to me that gaming and gambling would be one of the easiest industries in which you could "under-report" your income. Some of the AC casinos have never reported a profit in over 20 years of operation.

Leslie Ghiz (NOT pronounced 'j*zz'), Cincinnati Councilwoman, opposes the issue because Cincinnati is being left out of the proposal - Cleveland will get two casinos, Cincy none. The opponents, from Cedar Fair to Ghiz, say that voters or others outside of the "Learn and Earn initaitve" have no real say where the casinos would go.

FL got *sold* on the "Education Lottery" way back when I was still in college. We were told in NO uncertain terms that the money generated would "enhance, NOT replace" existing education funding...

Any guesses as to what happened next? ;)

Same happened in Illinois gator when the lottery was proposed. Since Illinois was one of the earlier states to get the lottery, alot of opposition was rampant.

Unlike other states with actual casinos, Illinois has benefited from them since they were made legal. Just the city of Elgin which has one of the boats, has enjoyed great downtown redevelopment and new businesses. It does make a difference if the right government officials are using the money wisely.

Rathergoodbear said:
I wouldn't count on slot machines and gambling to solve your state's economic problems. Look at Atlantic City, go two blocks inland from the Boardwalk and you're in the middle of the slums.

Seems to me that gaming and gambling would be one of the easiest industries in which you could "under-report" your income. Some of the AC casinos have never reported a profit in over 20 years of operation.))))))

And your not in the slums two blocks out of CP? try the end of the causway :) LOL

Gambling in Indiana is doing hit and miss. One is for sale but will probably close and many others and the cities around them are doing well as well.

I oppose Ohios as written as it makes only those already with gambling buisness in the state the sole propriitors if aproved. THE HORSE TRACKS.

Show enough money in the politicians swiss bank acount and you can get anything done.

Time to demand they don't take it and show they won't be there long if they do. Thats the only way PEOPLE can take back control of THEIR INTEREST and not big money's.

I've seen these Casinos cause more than their share of problems too. Several times, while visiting a Casino I would be approached by a Panhandler who would want "Spare Change" to feed their Gambling/Drug/Booze Addiction. One time while leaving a Casino in Indiana I saw an Elderly Lady who was crying hystericaly while being led out by A few of her friends and Security Guards, it turned out she had just blown her ENTIRE Social Security Check on the Slots and had NO money to pay for her monthly expenses! Considering that I, as a Taxpayer had financed her fiasco I could not have much sympathy for her. I just hope she got the Professional Help she needed.

^I wouldn't either. We have regulated gambling here in WV (only at the racetracks I think) but I see people blow their entire checks on lottery tickets all the time, especially when the Powerball gets over $100 million. They blow their rent money on betting on greyhounds and football games. It's all the same.

I have absolutely nothing against gambling even though it doesn't and never has interested me. Heck, I didn't even gamble the last time I was in Vegas. :) It's one of those personal issues that the government has no right sticking it's nose into. Why would it be anyone's business if I gambled anyway? :)

But just like booze/drug addiction or any kind of addiction, you really have nobody to blame but yourself if it messes up your life. There IS help available if you want it. Sometimes I think West Virginia should get off their holy roller soapbox and build some real casinos. I am sure the state could use the money and tourism.

-Tina*** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 9/24/2006 3:01:11 PM ***