|
This issue is not a big surprise for anyone who has
followed the heated slot machine debate in Ohio recently. And considering
the amount of campaigning the Learn and Earn supporters are piling on Ohio
citizens, anyone concerned with the effects of gambling on the state and
higher education have been paying close attention to the slot machine
revenue numbers the slots proponents put forth.
The numbers issue boils down to what the Learn and Earn Campaign predicts as
the yearly slot machine revenue if the proposal passes. So in case you are
new here’s the basics:
Proponents predict that if Ohio operates 31,500 slot machines every year,
the slot machine revenue will equal roughly $2.8 billion. According to
anticipated percentage of slot machine revenue going directly to the
scholarships, slot machines will bring roughly $853 million to promote
higher education. The opponents stress that 31,500 slot machines is way to
many slot machines than the state can support—they believe that 10,035 is a
much more realistic estimate of what Ohio’s economy and gambling habits can
support. And with this number of slot machines, the numbers drop to only
$324 million toward the scholarship fund. And then you have the racetracks
who get a piece of this business too; they anticipate that race purses will
raise at least $170 million—which definitely puts a smile on their faces.
So what does this mean for the Ohio citizens who just don’t know which side
to believe? Join the rest of us in utter confusion as the proponents and
opponents figure out what is factual and what might just be puffery.
Back to October News>>>
Back to Recent
News>>>
slot machine, slot machine, slot machine, slot
machine
|
