Judge dismisses suit on slots at Ohio racetracks

Inside the finished Horseshoe Casino in downtown Cleveland on May 9, 2012.
Photographer: John Kosich/WEWS
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Posted: 05/30/2012

By: By ANN SANNER

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A central Ohio judge has dismissed a lawsuit from an anti-gambling group challenging the addition of slots-like machines to the state's horse tracks, along with other changes to Ohio's gambling rules.

Judge Timothy S. Horton of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruled Wednesday that the Ohio Roundtable did not have legal standing to bring the lawsuit against Gov. John Kasich and others.

The group claimed that allowing video lottery terminals at Ohio's seven horse tracks violated the state's constitution.

Scioto Downs in Columbus is scheduled to open on Friday with 1,800 VLT machines. The so-called racino, operated by Chester, W.Va.-based MTR Gaming Group Inc., is the first to be licensed in the state as a video lottery retailer.

Ohio Roundtable's president says it's reviewing its legal options.