COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio State Racing Commission has unanimously voted in favor of a proposal to allow video slot machines at seven racetracks.
Thursday's vote sends a recommendation to lawmakers asking them to approve the plan, which the commission says would create 150 new state employee jobs and bring in $1.3 billion for the state by 2013. About $625 million of that would go into a fund for primary and secondary schools.
Track owners have said they want the Legislature to legalize slot machines, saying they need other sources of revenue to raise purse levels to those offered in neighboring states that have slots.
Previous attempts by individual lawmakers to legalize video slot machines at Ohio racetracks have been repeatedly rejected.
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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com
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