Both the backers and opponents of Ohio Issue 3 state that Issue 3 means jobs. The media statements published by these groups are meant to mislead voters: Issue 3 means gambling.

Issue 3 is another attempt to hijack Ohio’s Constitution and create a monopoly for out-of-state owners to build casinos only in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. (Truth PAC, 2009).

Ohio voters have voted down initiatives four times in the past to legalize gambling in Ohio. Voters should vote their conscious on whether or not gambling should be permitted in the state. This latest issue is another attempt to legalize gambling and would change the State Constitution to do so.

The promise of 34,000 jobs and one billion added dollars to state revenue may be very appealing, however, the issue is still to permit gambling or not.

Scott Tipton, President of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Asked the question "Why would the Ohio FOP, The United Auto Workers, and the AFL/CIO endorse Issue three?"  Mr. Tipton does not provide an answer to the rhetorical question, which is meant to be taken as an authoritative statement.  The text of the bill, however, indicates that police organizations would receive financial backing from the collected taxes generated by the casinos. This financial backing would be for the purpose of training officers.  Although included in the bill with possible good intentions, this financial incentive may be enough for the management of the FOP to disregard concerns over what else these casinos may bring.

Two percent of the tax on gross casino revenue shall be distributed to a state law enforcement training fund to enhance public safety by providing additional training opportunities to the law enforcement community. (Yes on Issue 3, 2009).

The United Auto Workers are supporting Issue 3 and as usual make broad claims about what the public wants; without asking for public opinion.

"Our members - like many Ohioans - are also tired of seeing more than $1 billion a year go to out-of-state casinos as Ohioans travel to Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia and Pennsylvania," he said. "It's time to keep that money - and the tax revenue it produces - here in Ohio.(CasinoMan.net, 2009).

The endorsement would seem to indicate that a consensus was formed by the rank-and-file of the UAW regarding Issue 3. Most likely, however, union management made the policy decision without polling the union's members about their true feelings. The truth of the matter is that Ohio residents have most likely not given much thought to how much money Ohioans spend out of state on gambling.

However, in an era of bad economic conditions and falling union membership, the position of the unions relating to Ohio Issue 3 is understandable. The expected 34,000 jobs would likely relate to a large increase in union membership.

Not all the media coverage is in favor of Issue 3. There have been some limited campaign adds against the amendment. The opposition, however, is also targeting jabs and revenue as reasons to vote against Issue 3.

Opponents state that there are no guarantees that the 34,000 jobs will be given to Ohioans. No language in the bill specifies a residency requirement. Gaming commissioners from other states may profit from the addition of casinos in Ohio because established casinos in other states are likely to be the only developers capable of investing the $250,000,000 in each of the four proposed casinos in Ohio.

A claim is being made that a large portion of the state revenue generated by Issue 3 will be funneled to the public school system. The language of the bill specifies 50% of the tax revenue will be divided up between the Ohio school districts determined by the census findings for students in those districts. Ohio voters already approved the state lottery based on claims that school districts would benefit and the quality of education would increase,

If you live in Ohio you can check the report card for the school district in which you live and decide for yourself whether an influx of money will improve the quality of education in your school district. Private schools tend to achieve higher educational standards despite the fact that the public system is better funded. Do you want more money pumped into a bad system?

Legalizing gambling by instituting a State Lottery in Ohio had some unintentional consequences, the greatest of which must be lottery addiction.

"Lottery tends to be less addictive than online gaming and slot machines and video slot machines, where there tends to be quick feedback. Exceptions are scratch-off and other instant games," said Dessa Bergen-Cico, assistant professor in the Health and Wellness Department in the College of Human Services and Health Professionals at Syracuse University. (Neumann, 2007)

Walk into any convenience store and you will likely witness someone buying one of the not less than 20 instant lottery games. For the state to hold the position that the lottery is a harmless activity is ludicrous. The tease of so many instant games and the lure of becoming a multi-millionaire from hitting one of the big jackpots are too big to resist for many people. Some lottery players are spending their state stolen money by using welfare to pay for the lottery. Will legalized casinos be any different?

You decide whether one billion dollars of Ohio's money are leaving the state and whether an effort should be made to keep that money. If Issue 3 passes, the truth of the matter is that people who would not travel to gamble will start gambling because the facilities are just down the street. The instance of the welfare system subsidizing gambling will probably grow in those areas like welfare subsidized lottery playing grows everywhere else.

Be a critical thinker and separate the rhetoric from the fact: If you live in Ohio, vote on gambling or no gambling when you vote on Issue 3.