The Ohio Racing Commission Monday formalized the sale of Scioto Downs harness track to MTR Gaming Inc.The commission, meeting at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio, formalized the sale for the purchase price of $19 million.MTR Gaming of Chester, West Virginia, earlier this month had closed the purchase by acquiring the necessary shares of Scioto Downs stock. Scioto Downs is about two miles south of Columbus, Ohio. MTR Gaming operates the Mountaineer Race Track and Gambling resort, among other interests.
The Mountaineer complex includes a 359-room hotel, restaurant, simulcasting, a theater and 3,200 video lottery terminals.Legislation to allow video slots at Ohio's seven race tracks was killed in the Ohio legislature late last year and in June of this year. However, proponents of the machines are expected to attempt to put the video slots question on the ballot in November 2004