Ohio has moved closer to the debut of casino gambling by issuing its first employee license to a security guard hired by the Cleveland casino opening in May.
Ohio Casino Control Commission member June Taylor and commission employee licensing manager David Acosta presented license No. 1 on Thursday to 28-year-old Taneshia Pitts of Cleveland.
Pitts has been working as a security guard just across the street with the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team owned by Dan Gilbert, a casino partner.
The commission has approved more than 1,100 licenses and is investigating more than 500 more casino applicants.
The Cleveland casino opens during the week of May 14, Toledo's will open two weeks later and casinos in Cincinnati and Columbus will open next year.