Those in the casino industry said that Ohio Governor John Kasich’s feet dragging would cause a delay in casino construction. Now that delay has been officially announced. Developers and investors in the planned Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati have announced that the casino won’t open until sometime in 2013 at the soonest. Previously, they predicted a 2012 opening.

Governor Kasich has indicated that he is unhappy with the current deal between the casino developers and the state, saying that the state got a “raw deal.” He wants to renegotiate the deal, thinking this is the best time to do it. In a new deal, he wants the casinos to pay higher taxes and higher licensing fees.

Rock Ohio Caesars, a joint venture that is developing the casino, said that the delay has caused them to cancel supply orders. “We have missed the steel order in Cincinnati that would allow us to be closed this winter for interior work,” said spokesperson Jennifer Kulczycki. That delay, she says, will push the opening to at least 2013.

In addition to raising the taxes and fees, Governor Kasich wants the government to conduct a study of the casino industry before deciding on anything. He recently hired two independent groups to conduct the time-consuming and expensive studies.

Rock Ohio Caesars is a joint venture between Rock Gaming LLC and Caesars Entertainment Inc., which is the parent company of the Horseshoe Casino. In addition to their planned casino in Cincinatti, there are three other casinos set for construction in the state that have been hindered by Kasich’s plans. Those include casinos in Cleveland, Toledo and Columbus.

Tags: Caesars Entertainment, gambling expansion, Ohio gambling