http://www.wfmj.com/story/38217070/group-wants-sports-wagering-at-ohio-restaurantsbars
Group wants sports wagering at Ohio restaurants/bars
Posted: May 17, 2018 4:03 PM EDT
Updated: May 17, 2018 4:03 PM EDT
By Matt Stone, Reporte
BOARDMAN, Ohio -
The U.S. Supreme Court has paved the way for states to legalize betting on sports. Lawmaker in states surrounding Ohio are already looking at drafting legislation for it.
Why should Vegas make all the money? That's what some gambling advocates are saying about the ability to allow professional sports betting in Ohio.
Rick Lertzman helped pass a casino issue in 2009. Now he's part of an organization called Open Ohio. They want voters to pass a statewide issue on the November 2019 ballot to allow wagering in hundreds of local establishments in the state.
He doesn't think all that potential gaming revenue should just go to a few owners who own Ohio casinos.
"If this goes to race tracks and casinos it will damage a lot of restaurants and sports bars. People won't go to the local bar on Sunday to watch the game they'll go to the race tracks and casinos to do their betting," said Lertzman.
Sports wagering could mean a lot of extra income for restaurants and bars whether it's the chains or for the locally owned places.
Lisa Lorelli owns Riser in Boardman. She loves the idea.
"We have Keno and it's really popular. I think anything with interaction with sports would be positive for us. We'd be really happy about it. I think it would make it even more so that people would want to come and watch the game because they get to bet on it. It would be win-win for us," said Lorelli.
What are the locals saying? "Money-wise I think it would be great for the area. I hope it goes through but for me, honestly, I won't do it because I'm not that lucky," said Sam Regelman of McDonald.
Open Ohio would have to gather 380,000 signatures by next June to put the issue to a vote
Group wants sports wagering at Ohio restaurants/bars
Posted: May 17, 2018 4:03 PM EDT
Updated: May 17, 2018 4:03 PM EDT
By Matt Stone, Reporte
BOARDMAN, Ohio -
The U.S. Supreme Court has paved the way for states to legalize betting on sports. Lawmaker in states surrounding Ohio are already looking at drafting legislation for it.
Why should Vegas make all the money? That's what some gambling advocates are saying about the ability to allow professional sports betting in Ohio.
Rick Lertzman helped pass a casino issue in 2009. Now he's part of an organization called Open Ohio. They want voters to pass a statewide issue on the November 2019 ballot to allow wagering in hundreds of local establishments in the state.
He doesn't think all that potential gaming revenue should just go to a few owners who own Ohio casinos.
"If this goes to race tracks and casinos it will damage a lot of restaurants and sports bars. People won't go to the local bar on Sunday to watch the game they'll go to the race tracks and casinos to do their betting," said Lertzman.
Sports wagering could mean a lot of extra income for restaurants and bars whether it's the chains or for the locally owned places.
Lisa Lorelli owns Riser in Boardman. She loves the idea.
"We have Keno and it's really popular. I think anything with interaction with sports would be positive for us. We'd be really happy about it. I think it would make it even more so that people would want to come and watch the game because they get to bet on it. It would be win-win for us," said Lorelli.
What are the locals saying? "Money-wise I think it would be great for the area. I hope it goes through but for me, honestly, I won't do it because I'm not that lucky," said Sam Regelman of McDonald.
Open Ohio would have to gather 380,000 signatures by next June to put the issue to a vote