There's excitement from Ohio's horse race tracks Friday.
It's because long time opponent of gambling, Governor Ted Strickland, has decided to support video lottery terminals, also known as VLTs at horse tracks.
Gov. Strickland made his decision public Friday afternoon in Columbus.
"This has been a difficult choice for me, but I believe it is a necessary one. It is contrary to what I ever thought I would have to do," Strickland said.
Strickland says allowing slots would help lawmakers fill a more than $3 billion gap in Ohio's two-year budget set to kick-off next month.
"After looking at all the choices before me and the state legislature, I have concluded that this is the best course of action to meet our balanced budget obligations," Strickland said.
Strickland's change of heart comes on the same day Kentucky's House approved the idea of slot's at their local race tracks. Now it's up to Kentucky's Senate to decide if slots will be allowed.
"Our ownership has lost money the last five years. We've only stayed in business because we thought the opportunities for VLTs might be on the horizon," said John Engelhardt, of River Downs.
Over the past 20 years, Ohio voters have rejected gambling four times. However, this proposal would not need voters’ support.
