Work stops on Cleveland casino as battle brews over casino tax
CLEVELAND - Rock Ohio Caesars halted construction indefinitely Wednesday on both its Cleveland and Cincinnati casinos in a battle over additional taxes or fees.
“The recent legislative action and discussion proposing significant higher taxes and fees specific to the operation of casinos in Ohio… have created an environment of uncertainty concerning the projected economic vitality of our planned developments in both Cincinnati and Cleveland,” read a statement from Rock Ohio Caesars.
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Not fair to Ohio taxpayers is what Governor John Kasich says was Issue 3, the statewide referendum that approved the four casinos in 2009.
While Issue 3 set a tax rate of 33 percent of gross casino revenues that money is spread throughout the state but doesn’t go to the state. In addition the one time fee of $50 million per casino to the state is constitutionally earmarked for jobs training.
Since taking office, Kasich has been looking at ways the state might be able to get more out of the casinos in taxes or fees.
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/work-stops-on-cleveland-casino-as-battle-brews-over-casino-tax