A recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article discusses the development of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, which will be the first casino in Ohio when it opens early next year. The casino will be located in the historic Higbee Building downtown.

The development of casinos in Ohio will take a toll on already established casinos in Pennsylvania. About 20 percent of regular customers at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino come are from out of state, mainly Ohio and West Virginia.

But before they can even open, Ohio casinos have a few hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is an ambivalent new Republican governor.

"The state's new governor, John Kasich, voted against the 2009 constitutional amendment referendum that was approved in a statewide vote, eventually permitting the construction of casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati. But now he's charged with helping to craft the rules and regulations that will guide the industry in its formative years."

Kasich will also be the one who ultimately decides whether to sign off on a plan to legalize slot machines at Ohio racetracks. A portion of racetrack slot money goes toward prizes in Pennsylvania and Indiana, making race purses up to three times higher and in turn attracting better horses and jockeys.

Ohio is also in an unusual situation, because while casinos were approved in 2009, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which handles many regulatory matters, was appointed just two months ago.

Check out the entire article here.