COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downturn have approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades.
Tuesday's vote is a significant victory for Penn National Gaming Inc. and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
They spent nearly $35 million to promote four casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.
Unemployment in Ohio has topped 10 percent. A study commissioned by the campaign predicted nearly 40,000 jobs and $4 billion in economic impact.
Voters approved amending the Ohio Constitution with details on where casinos could be built and how to distribute generated tax revenues to various agencies.
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