TruthPAC: Issue 3 Ad Complaint “A Frivolous Smokescreen”

Ohio’s anti-casino campaign today dismissed the complaint filed by out-of-state casino developers with the Ohio Election Commission as a "smokescreen” and accused proponents of serving up exaggerated job numbers.

“Issue 3 developers promise Ohio their casinos will open quickly,” TruthPAC spokesperson Sandy Theis said. “That requires recruiting experienced, skilled and licensed casino workers from out-of-state because an all-Ohio workforce would take an additional year for training, background checks and licensing.”

“Issue 3 has no hiring preference for Ohioans, unlike Gov. Strickland's VLT proposal which requires hiring Ohioans first,” Theis said. “We didn’t need to cite their bogus study to prove they have no “Hire Ohio” preference in Issue 3.”

“Their complaint is a frivolous legal smokescreen. Our ads are clearly accurate and truthful,” Theis said. “But Issue 3 proponents make up numbers as they go along including their mushrooming job claims.”

“On their own Facebook Web site proponents present a video touting 20,000 jobs; now they say 34,000. Which is it?” Theis asked. (SEE: http://bit.ly/13mxdl)

It is common in the gaming industry to staff up new casinos with experienced workers from out-of-state - and not just executives, as proponents claim. In 2008, developers of the new Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, Florida recruited dealers, floor supervisors, pit managers, cage managers and casino shift managers from casinos in other states. (SEE: http://bit.ly/1t4sN6)

A national gaming expert with no stake in the controversial Ohio Casino Plan also says Issue 3 projections are dubious.

"Their entire plan is predicated on Ohio citizens betting half a billion dollars more annually by 2013, and they won’t,” independent gaming consultant Dr. John H. Glassey said. “They also say Ohio must show robust income and population growth, and that won’t happen either."

“The projections coming from Issue 3 proponents are overly optimistic,” Dr. Glassey said.

Dr. Glassey served in senior management positions at world-class gaming properties including Merv Griffin's Resorts in Atlantic City, Crowne Casino in Australia and Connecticut's Foxwoods Casino Resort - the most successful casino in history. During his three decades in the industry, Dr. Glassey has built and revived many Indian casinos, riverboats and land-based urban casinos. Dr. Glassey was not paid by TruthPAC.

ABOUT TRUTHPAC

TruthPAC is a broad, bipartisan coalition opposed to Issue 3 - a proposed constitutional amendment to authorize four Las Vegas-style casinos in Ohio. Financed, in part, by Ohio's historic horse racing industry that will be destroyed by the Casino Plan, the committee works to counter exaggerated claims put forth by the out-of-state gambling interests bankrolling Issue 3.

Paid for by TruthPAC, Michael J. Johrendt, Treasurer, 250 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215