Ohio Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative (1996)

Ohio Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative
	Election date; November 5, 1996
	Topic; Gambling
	Status; Defeated
Type; Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin; Citizens

Ohio Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Ohio on November 5, 1996. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing riverboat casino gambling in Ohio.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing riverboat casino gambling in Ohio.

Election results[edit]

Ohio Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative
Result	Votes	Percentage
Yes	1,639,955	38.15%
No	2,659,075	61.85%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative was as follows:

“

To amend Section 6 of Article XV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio.

In order to authorize the establishment of river boat casino gambling in Ohio, this amendment would:

Authorize the establishment of permanently moored river boat casino gaming facilities to conduct games and schemes of chance without wagering limits, excluding bingo and dog or horse races, on rivers in the following locations: two in the city of Cincinnati, one (1) in Hamilton County outside of Cincinnati, three (3) in the city of Cleveland, one (1) in the city of Lorain, and one (1) in Mahoning County.
River boat casino gaming facilities may be established in designated locations only if this amendment is approved at this election by a majority of electors who vote on the amendment in a county in which the facility would be located.
Establish a gaming commission to license and regulate the operation of river boat casino gaming facilities and to license all casino operators and employees, manufacturers and vendors of gaming devices, and other persons.
Levy a twenty percent (20%) monthly gaming fee on gross revenues of games or schemes of chance conducted at river boat casino gaming facilities after deduction of total prizes paid to patrons. The fee proceeds shall be distributed as follows: eighty percent (80%) to primary and secondary public schools for educational purposes, ten percent (10%) to the municipality or township in which the facility is located, and ten percent (10%) to the county in which the facility is located.
Prohibit the levy of any additional taxes or fees relating solely to gaming except an initial application fee to operate a gaming facility.
Prohibit any person under the age of twenty-one (21) from participating in authorized gaming as a patron or employee.

If adopted, this amendment will be effective in thirty (30) days.

Shall the proposed amendment be adopted?

”

Path to the ballot[edit]

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Ohio

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Ohio, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Ohio also requires initiative sponsors to submit 1,000 signatures with the initial petition application. Ohio has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures be gathered from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. Petitioners must gather signatures equal to a minimum of half the total required percentage of the gubernatorial vote in each of the 44 counties. Petitions are allowed to circulate for an indefinite period of time. Signatures are due 125 days prior to the general election that proponents want the initiative on.

External links[edit]

Cleveland State University Law Library, "Ohio Constitution - Law and History: Table of Proposed Amendments," June 2, 2023

Footnotes[edit]

Ohio Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative

Election date November 5, 1996
Topic Gambling
Status Defeated
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

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