Currently, the Ohio Constitution prohibits most forms of gambling beyond simple games of chance and charity bingo. In 1973, Ohio voters gave the State the authority to operate a lottery.

Since then, casinos have attempted on three occasions to expand gambling and failed each time by very wide margins.

2008 UPDATE

If the third time was supposed to be a charm, what would a fourth be called? Some would call it just another roll of the dice. With vast amounts of money at stake that casinos can scam from Ohioans, it's worth the gamble to take another run at it in hopes of finally fooling enough voters into changing the constitution. Who knows? Maybe one day somebody's going to strike it rich!

Well, they're baaack! Another casino-wanna-be has begun circulation of a new petition to place a constitutional amendment before Ohio voters on November 4, 2008. 

After being told twice that their petition and/or summary was not accurate or truthful, MY OHIO NOW finally received approval on December 21, 2007 to begin circulation. If they are successful in collecting 402,225 valid signatures of registered Ohio voters by early August, voters will likely see the amendment on the ballot.

The proposal will allow one stand-alone casino and mega-resort along I-71 between Cincinnati and Columbus in Chester Township, Clinton County, Ohio.