Gov. Ted Strickland says he believes gambling is bad for Ohio, but he's willing to entertain proposals to expand it to bring in more revenue.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) --Gov. Ted Strickland says he believes gambling is bad for Ohio, but he's willing to entertain proposals to expand it to bring in more revenue.
Strickland said Thursday that expansion would not be his preferred course of action but that he wouldn't close his mind to ideas.
The governor's anti-gambling stance has been one of his core philosophies. Ohio voters have repeatedly voted against putting slot machines at race tracks and allowing casinos, most recently turning down a proposed casino in western Ohio.
The state faces a projected $7 billion budget deficit in the next two-year budget. Gambling interests often approach lawmakers during tough budget times to sell gambling as a way to expand revenue.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
