Gambling Study Released in Ohio
September 20, 2005

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, several Cincinnati business leaders partnered with the Greater Cleveland Partnership civic organization to fund two studies examining the potential economic and social impact on Ohio if casino gambling were legalized. There were several issues covered in the reports, including hypothetical models of how many jobs could be created and how much money could be generated with legalized gaming in Ohio. In addition, the reports looked at social problems that often accompany gambling, including increases in crime and bankruptcy.

The study produced the following findings:

• Ohio residents already participate in games of chance and skill in and around Ohio;

• Ohio dollars are leaving the state, which generates tax revenues and jobs in other states;

• Social costs of Ohio's problem gamblers are paid entirely by limited lottery funding - $350,000 a year;

• With casinos in Ohio, the social costs of gambling are significant – over the lifetime of the adult population, 109,000 additional Ohioans could become problem or pathological gamblers;

• Potential revenues from casinos at eleven possible locations, and the seven current horse racing tracks, are an estimated $4 billion a year, resulting in approximately $610 million per year in state and local tax revenues;

• Building of casinos could generate $3.7 billion in temporary construction jobs and generate $8.2 billion in permanent operating jobs;

• Best practice approach to gambling prevention and treatment could cost $29.7 million a year.

Source: The Greater Cleveland Partnership

The economic portion of the study was conducted by Strategic Partner Management Consulting, a Michigan-based firm. The Maxine Levin Goodman College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, conducted the portion of the survey dealing with the social impact.

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