Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has yet to officially sign the state budget, which includes provisions to allow slot machines to run at Ohio's seve race tracks, but a legal challenge is already being prepared. Amongst the groups planning to file a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court is the Ohio Council of Churches, who plan to challenge the constitutionality of the plan.

The Council is making the arguement that the terminals are programmed as slot machines, and will partially benefit race tracks and horse racing purses, not public education. And Reverend John Edgar explains that it would go against what voters intended when they approved of the state lottery:

“We’re going to stop it by filing suit in court. And we are going to argue successfully that this proposal violates the Ohio Constitution in two key places.

It is impossible to argue in court that giving money from an activity conducted by the lottery to increase the winnings for a horse is part of funding public education… They have manipulated language in a way that violates the Constitution.“

According to Edgar, the council and several other groups could file paperwork as early as later this week.