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Ohio Racinos Delayed By Demand for More Seating

Construction on two Ohio "racinos" will be delayed after regulators decided to require more enclosed seating from which spectators can view two racetracks.

The Ohio State Racing Commission voted Wednesday to require Penn National Gaming to add 650 more seats in climate-controlled areas at tracks in Dayton and Austintown, a Youngstown suburb.

Officials from Penn National say redesigning the racinos delays the projects by several months at least.

The commission previously demanded more seating at the Lebanon racino being built in southwest Ohio. The panel is concerned that racinos might emphasize video lottery gambling more and short-change fans of live horse racing.

New rules allow Ohio's horse tracks to add slots-like gambling. Some tracks are renovating to add the video terminal games, while others are building new tracks.

     
 

Stories from the Associated Press.