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The Ohio Department of Administrative Services has announced that Ohio Gov. John Kasich has hired Spectrum Gaming Group of Linwood, N.J., and Moelis & Company of Los Angeles to advise him on state policy related to the gambling industry. Officials said they would need a "comprehensive analysis" of how different parts of the gambling industry affect each other in order to make crucial decisions about the future of the industry.
Earlier this week Kasich said that casinos were not paying enough to the state. He declared that he would be asking ask the state's casino operators to pay more up front on top of the $50 million in license fees and $1.5 million in license application fees already paid by each casino. His new advisers will be paid approximately $400 per hour and could have a serious effect on the future of Ohio casinos, video lottery terminals, racetracks and the Commercial Activities Tax.
Kasich has assured casinos that he does not plan to raise taxes but it is very likely that he will be seeking higher license fees which could put casino developers in quite a bind. Kasich is scheduled to speak to the Cincinnati Rotary Club later today during which time more details about his future plans are expected to be announced.
As always, stay tuned to Casinofan for more news and updates.
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