Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association

Ohio Horsemen Rally at the Statehouse

May 19, 2009

Nearly 600 concerned horsemen and women gathered at the South Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse
Tuesday morning (May 19) in a rally to implore legislators to consider an Ohio State Racing Commission
proposal to allow 14,000 slot machines at the state’s seven racetracks.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Horsemen arrived on charter buses from all over Ohio. Some carried signs, some were even wearing their
driving colors. They assembled to hear a procession of supportive state legislators speak on the importance
of continued letter-writing to convince their representatives of the viability of the Ohio horse racing industry,
which employs some 16,000 people.

“There are two ways to affect the general assembly,” said Dan Stewart (D-Columbus), “through their purse
strings or their heart strings. You have the opportunity to do both today…It’s your job to share our story.”

Lisa Schwartz, who organized the event, was pleased with the response from horsemen.

“We had a great turnout; we had great speakers,” she said. “Senator Seitz (R-Cincinnati) at the end was
upbeat and positive and encouraged people to write letters.”

The theme of the rally was to “level the playing field” for racing and gaming opportunities between Ohio
and neighboring states with alternative gaming such as Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A February
2008 study showed that Ohioans had wagered more than $1.2 billion at wagering facilities in neighboring states.

“The other states are afraid of this, because if we get a chance, we will go right on by them,” said Wlliam Koester,
chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission to cheers from the crowd.

Horsemen also brought hundreds of letters addressed to their representatives and to Governor Strickland. They
were collected at the rally and are to be delivered today.

The OSRC proposal would call for slot machines in the state budget, without the need for a public referendum.
Koester said $350 million would initially go into the Ohio treasury in the form of licensing fees, followed by 50
percent of the alternative gaming profits paid to the state in taxes. In the proposal, the OSRC predicts that proceeds
from VLTs at Ohio tracks would top $1 billion per year by 2012, with $460 million going to state education programs.

“We’re not asking for taxpayer money,” said Louis Blessing Jr. (R-Hamilton County). “We are asking to give money
back to the state.”

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is to preserve, protect, promote
and serve the Standardbred
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Ohio Horsemen Rally at the Statehouse