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Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series examining state issues to be decided by Ohio voters in the Nov. 3 general election.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Ohio is betting on gambling to solve a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall in the state.

Supporters of Ohio Issue 3 believe table games in four Ohio cities will create 34,000 jobs in the cash-strapped state - and spark an $11 billion economic impact.

Opponents, though, question whether a 33 percent tax on gross revenue from the casinos is enough.

On Nov. 3, Ohio voters will decide Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow for one casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.

Locally, Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort has affiliated itself with TruthPAC, an organization that opposes Issue 3; however, Tamara Pettit, spokeswoman for the track, referred all questions to the organization.

TruthPAC has provided arguments to the Ohio Ballot Board, stating that the "entire plan is tilted in favor of wealthy casino operators." The group contends that Issue 3 preempts most local and state laws and that casinos would pay no taxes on profits from cash wagering.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association also has urged its members to vote against Issue 3, saying Issue 3 must be defeated to preserve Ohio horse racing and the jobs the industry creates.

Ohio Sen. Jason Wilson, D-Columbiana, said Ohio's projected budget shortfall in the next two years is $933 million, but he wonders if other issues pertaining to gambling might not outweigh the budget problems. He also doesn't think gambling will solve Ohio's economic problems in the long term.

Wilson said he isn't taking a public stance on Issue 3 and will allow voters to decide for themselves.

"On one side, we're losing money to casinos out of the state - especially West Virginia," he said. "I can see why people would want to support Issue 3 for that reason. Supporters claim it will create 34,000 jobs. That also is a good reason.

"But locally, none of those casinos or jobs to be created are near the Ohio Valley. We would not receive any of the economic effects, and we would probably have the opposite effect as it affects the casinos near us."

Ohio Rep. John Domenick, D-Smithfield, opposes Issue 3 and agreed that it could negatively effect local casinos and Ohio residents who work there. He also questions the amount of taxation that would be placed on the casinos.

According to ballot language, Issue 3 would levy a fixed tax of 33 percent of gross casino revenue received by each operator of the four casino facilities. This compares to a 35 percent rate assessed to West Virginia's casinos in Wheeling, Chester, Charles Town and Charleston, and opponents to Issue 3 point out the rate is well below those in other states.

"If we're going to have gambling, we need to get our fair share," he said. "We need to tax it like it is being done across the country.

"It needs to come back and be written. We need to get half of the revenue, as opposed to 33 percent. That is why I am voting 'no.'"

Supporters point out that Ohio's counties, many of which are suffering financially, all would share in the resulting tax revenue.

Resulting casino tax revenue in Ohio would be distributed as follows:

• 51 percent among all 88 counties in proportion to such counties' respective populations. Half of each county's distribution will go to its largest city if that city's population is above 80,000.

• 34 percent among all public school districts

• 5 percent among all host cities

• 3 percent to the Ohio casino control commission

• 3 percent to the Ohio state racing commission fund

• 2 percent to a state law enforcement training fund

• 2 percent to a state problem gambling and addictions fund

Issue 3 would require each casino operator to pay an initial $50 million fee for "state job training purposes," supporters note, creating $200 million for Ohio back-to-work programs.

Each casino owner also would be required to make a minimum initial investment of $250 million in its facility, resulting $1 billion in private investment in the state.

Table games already authorized in West Virginia - as well as in Michigan and Indiana - as of Jan. 1, 2009, would be permitted in Ohio if Issue 3 is approved.

Also as in West Virginia, Ohio casinos would be permitted to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.