Slots at Lebanon Raceway

LEBANON, Ohio (WDTN) - Susan Wilson of Lebanon Raceway says she is thrilled about Governor Strickland plan to place 14,000 slot machines at Ohio's seven horse tracks, including the one in Lebanon.
Governor Strickland wants slot machines at Ohio's seven horse-racing tracks to help ease the State's budget problems.
Strickland is hoping slot machines will generate 765 million dollars over two years and says that money will help plug a 3.2 billion dollar hole in the budget.
It's a plan that reverses his long opposition to slot machines, and it also counters the wishes of Ohio voters who have voted down slot machine and casino ballot issues on four occasions in the past.
"It's just very exciting. I think we'll get a whole new clientele and people won't have to have to worry about driving to Indiana to gamble." Said Wilson
Governor Strickland announced the plan Friday and said it will generate hundreds of millions for the state, at a time when we need it the most.
"Quite frankly, Ohio has not confronted such economic circumstances in 80 years." he said.
Strickland will ask the legislature to approve his slot machine proposal instead of putting it on a ballot for voters to decide.
That is an idea that doesn't sit well with Pendra Lee Snyder.
"This is a big disappointment , so I guess money and political payback rule the day." said Snyder
Snyder is the publisher of Christian Citizen USA, a Dayton based newspaper .
She said slot machines are a slippery slope to many problems created by casinos, that can destroy families.
"The addiction, the crime, and the money that is being taken out of families pockets. And right now we don't need money to be taken out of families pockets." Snyder said.
But gamblers at Lebanon Raceway disagree.
"It will be great! It will be great! Bring the slots in!"
"Rocky" from Middletown said its about time for Ohio to get on the slot machine bandwagon.
"The quicker the slots get in here, the better."
Governor Strickland says he's asking the legislature to approve his proposal instead of voters because a decision will be made faster.