Casino Backers Eager For Ohio Future

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Developers of four new Ohio casinos are looking eagerly to the future, even as opponents concoct plans to stymie their efforts and surrounding states brace for economic losses.

Penn National Gaming Inc. president Dan Wilmott showed off the site Wednesday where a 300,000-square-foot Hollywood Casino-Columbus employing 2,000 people is expected to materialize by the end of 2012.

But Republican state lawmakers unhappy with the vote are beginning work on a 2010 ballot measure that makes changes to the terms of the casino deal, including increasing the tax rate from 33 percent to 60 percent of gross revenue.

Gambling industry analysts say Ohio will make money from casinos, but surrounding states that attract thousands of Ohio gamblers every year will be hurt.

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