Published: November 04, 2009 11:09 pm      

Ohio could take bite out of Ind. casinos

INDIANAPOLIS — A new report says Indiana could lose $100 million in gambling taxes in the first year after four Ohio casinos authorized in a Tuesday referendum open.

Ohio voters approved casinos for Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.

An analysis by the Indiana Legislative Services Agency predicts that hardest hit in Indiana will be three casinos in the southeastern part of the state downstream from Cincinnati.

Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun and Belterra Casino near Vevay would lose $260 million in gambling revenues in the first year after the Ohio casinos open. That would cut their taxes paid by $93 million.

The report says Hoosier Park’s casino in Anderson would lose gambling customers to a new Toledo casino, costing the state another $9 million.