Columbus, Ohio - Sept. 15, 2009. Today the Ohio Christian Alliance, along with State Representatives Ron Amstutz, John Adams, and Seth Morgan, will file a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court against Governor Ted Strickland and the Ohio Lottery Commission for the unconstitutional expansion of gambling at seven of Ohio’s racetracks.

   “Four times in the past two decades Ohio voters have resoundingly defeated ballot measures attempting to expand gambling in Ohio. By the action of Governor Strickland through his executive directive, the Ohio voters have now been cheated in the process. That is why today we are appealing to the court,” states OCA President Chris Long.

   In the meantime, Governor Strickland today requested that the Ohio Lottery Commission change the age limit to 21 to play video lottery terminals or enter the VLT-designated playing area.

   The lawsuit filed today will state that the Ohio Legislature, along with Governor Strickland, violated the Ohio Constitution in their rush to get this bill through without the three-day required reading of the bill for full transparency. It is doubtful that any member of the Ohio General Assembly had any time to read the 3,000-plus page bill before it was voted on.

   With today’s suit, a request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction from the violation of the Ohio Constitution by the permitting or allowing of video lottery terminals/slot machines to be used in Ohio pending the Court’s determination will be filed.

   Faced with the lawsuit calling expansion of racetrack gambling unconstitutional, the Governor does appear to have at least some concerns about youthful gaming. Strickland said, "After careful consideration of articulated concerns, and the views of the directors of the Ohio Lottery and the Department of Public Safety, I am requesting that the Lottery Commission consider a rule revision to raise the minimum age to play video lottery terminals at Ohio’s racetracks from age 18 to age 21."