COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Two leaders of the United Methodist Church in Ohio say they’re disappointed that Gov. Ted Strickland supports a plan to put video slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks.
Bishop Bruce Ough (oh) of the church’s West Ohio Conference and Bishop John Hopkins of the East Ohio Conference said Monday that expanded gambling exploits individuals and is based on a false hope that a quick fix to the state’s budget gap is possible.
Announcing his racetrack slots proposal on Friday, Strickland said he had made a difficult but necessary choice to help balance the state budget.