Conservative group challenges slot machines in Ohio

The Supreme Court of Ohio heard arguments on Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by an anti-gambling group contending that Gov. John Kasich overstepped his authority when authorizing slot machines at state racetracks in 2011.

The lawsuit was brought by the Ohio Roundtable, a conservative group that has argued that voter approval was necessary to authorize the slot machines. All of Ohio’s tracks have since built slot-machine parlors since the 2011 authorization, including several tracks that were built from the ground up using relocated racing licenses.

In previous rulings, courts have said that the Ohio Roundtable did not have standing to bring the suit. The state Supreme Court decided to take up the case in 2013, but it has waited to hear arguments involving the suit until a similar lawsuit regarding standing on an administrative action was resolved. Kasich’s administration won that suit.

Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2009 authorizing casino gambling at four standalone sites. Kasich’s attorneys have argued that voters did not need to approve his later authorization of slot machines at tracks.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling on standing later this year. If the court determines that the Ohio Roundtable has standing, it will then need to consider the group’s arguments on whether Kasich overstepped his authority.