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Revenue From Ohio Sport Shows 20 Pet. Increase State Realizes ,187,019 From First Three Meetings of Season COLUMBUS, O., June 7.— State revenue from the tax on pari-mutuel wagering increased 20 per cent over 1954 for the first three running race meetings in Ohio this year. First to be concluded were the Ascot Park and F.ort Miami racing seasons and a 20-day session at Beulah Park. The state realized ,187,019 from the three meetings .whereas last year the figure was 67,266.40. According to records in the excise tax department in the State Department of Taxation here, the wagering at Ascot Park yielded 00,948.10 in revenue compared with 53,186.90 a year ago. This amazing increase more than offset slight drops in revenue from Fort Miami and Beulah Park. Fort Miami bettors paid 38,102.33 in taxes on wagering this year compared to 59,746.64 in two meetings 25 and 17 days in 1954. The Fort Miami management decided to conduct only one session, of 41-day duration, this year. The daily average wagering at Beulah Park declined slightly, marking the first time since 1940 that the betting at the" Central Ohio course has failed to exceed the similar statistics of the previous year. Out of 20 days of racing, including four Saturdays, this year, the state treasury was the recipient of 47,969.49 in pari-mutuel taxes. In 19 days, including only three Saturdays, in 1954, the state realized 53,-332.86. A part, but. not all, of the huge increases in revenue from Ascot Park may be attributed to the fact that the Cuyahoga Falls oval operated for 44 days this year, five more than last. .Comparable figures on the three tracks in 54 and 55 follow: Ascot Park— 39 days in 1954— total wagered, ,282,875; revenue to state, 53,-186.90. 44 days in 1955— total wagered, 3, 535,291; revenue to state, 00,948.10. Fort Miami — 42 days in 1954 two meetings, 25 and 17 days — total wagered, ,728,559; revenue to state, 59,746.64. 41 days in 1955— total wagered, ,371,036; revenue to state, 38,102.33. Beulah Park— 19 days in .spring of 1954 — total wagered, ,991,-495; revenue to state, 53,332.86. 20 days in spring of 1955— total wagered, ,992,-338; revenue to state, 47,969.49.
