Not supposed to do it, but I took this picture in the late 50's or early 60's, inside the Primmadonna in Reno. Cameras inside the casinos were a NO NO, this was taken early in the morning, graveyard shift and was the crew that I worked with. The "suit" in the middle went on to be one of Harrahs top casino managers, and managed a big Harrahs in Las Vegas. He passed away a few years ago. Have no idea whatever happened to the two dealers, both Jerry's. Both were good friends.
COLUMBUS, Ohio
Opponents of a proposal to allow casinos in Ohio's four largest cities are casting doubt about the issue that will go before voters this fall, including questioning how much tax revenue the gambling will bring the state.
But casino supporters say the opponents are out to confuse voters with unsubstantiated attacks and half-truths.
If approved this November, the proposed constitutional amendment would allow construction of casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.
Backers promise the creation of 34,000 new jobs in Ohio's struggling cities and $651 million in casino tax revenue.
The most recent disagreement between the two sides on Issue 3 centers on how much tax money the casinos will generate for counties, schools and cities. Under the proposal, the state would take a 33 percent off the top of the revenues and redistribute the money to Ohio's 88 counties.
Opponents, though, point out that the 33 percent tax on gross casino revenue is defined as the amount of money "exchanged for the purchase of chips, tokens, tickets, electronic cards or similar objects" minus total winnings. They say that leaves a hole by not including cash or coins that are simply fed into slot machines and video poker machines.
Rep. Lou Blessing, R-Cincinnati, an opponent of the casino plan, said at a Tuesday news conference that casino supporters have made it allowable to gamble with cash but do not stipulate that cash revenue be taxed.
"These casinos could run total cash games and the state of Ohio would receive no tax benefit. Period," he said.
Issue 3 spokesman Bob Tenenbaum said the proposed casinos would not use cash except to exchange for vouchers, and would be subject to taxes.
"Cash wagering is an anachronism," Tenenbaum said. "Nobody uses it."
Maybe things have changed since I worked in the casinos, but a customer walked up to the table, got a hundred in chips, and started wagering. That hundred went into a drop box and was counted at the end of a shift, in a counting room, locked, called FIRST COUNT. Are the games going to be such that you can only purchase coins or chips in one location, that basically is a cash register and keeps track of the transaction? The casinos kept track of their cash by the amount of "drop." That, plus other revenue from bars, slots, etc., was what they payed their tax on. Have to wonder what old Tenenbaum is getting out of this.
