Ohio opened the doors to a new casino Monday night. Now some people in Indiana and Kentucky worry it may hurt gambling revenues in neighboring states.
Indiana casinos, in particular, have seen revenues decline in recent years -- and some fear a new casino in Cincinnati may just make it worse. The Horseshoe Casino -- which opened Monday in downtown Cincinnati -- is the fourth casino to open in Ohio in the past year.
Officials say the new 100-thousand square foot facility is all but guaranteed to dip even further into neighboring states' gambling revenues.
Casino Aztar and Ellis Park officials say they don't see the new casino as a direct threat to their revenue stream. But officials say it's still important to stay on the competitive edge. Ellis Park Owner and President Ron Geary says there's still more to be done in Kentucky to help venues like the Henderson horse track stay competitive on a level playing field. Ellis Park recently expanded patrons' gaming options with the addition of Instant Racing machines.
"The thoroughbred horse industry in Kentucky is fading away before our very eyes and that's continuing to do this," says Geary. "We're very pleased to offer Instant Racing but that's just one new product, we need to have more of those coming forward." Geary hopes Kentucky lawmakers will continue to take progressive steps in keeping Kentucky's gambling industry on the competitive edge.
One of the biggest changes some Hoosier gamblers hope to see -- is moving riverboats to dry land. It's part of a proposal that's expected to go before Indiana lawmakers during this year's legislative session.
Indiana casinos, in particular, have seen revenues decline in recent years -- and some fear a new casino in Cincinnati may just make it worse. The Horseshoe Casino -- which opened Monday in downtown Cincinnati -- is the fourth casino to open in Ohio in the past year.
Officials say the new 100-thousand square foot facility is all but guaranteed to dip even further into neighboring states' gambling revenues.
Casino Aztar and Ellis Park officials say they don't see the new casino as a direct threat to their revenue stream. But officials say it's still important to stay on the competitive edge. Ellis Park Owner and President Ron Geary says there's still more to be done in Kentucky to help venues like the Henderson horse track stay competitive on a level playing field. Ellis Park recently expanded patrons' gaming options with the addition of Instant Racing machines.
"The thoroughbred horse industry in Kentucky is fading away before our very eyes and that's continuing to do this," says Geary. "We're very pleased to offer Instant Racing but that's just one new product, we need to have more of those coming forward." Geary hopes Kentucky lawmakers will continue to take progressive steps in keeping Kentucky's gambling industry on the competitive edge.
One of the biggest changes some Hoosier gamblers hope to see -- is moving riverboats to dry land. It's part of a proposal that's expected to go before Indiana lawmakers during this year's legislative session.
