COLUMBUS (WCMH)– The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled a Columbiana County man can proceed with his challenge to Ohio’s law allowing casino gambling; claiming the restrictive nature of who can operate the facilities violates his federal constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court ruled Frederick Kinsey can challenge the constitutionality of the 2009 voter-approved amendment to the Ohio Constitution that allowed four casinos in specific locations, as well as seven “racinos” and how they operate.

The same ruling also rejected a claim by the Ohio Roundtable in 2011 to block casino gambling in the state.

According to Kinsey’s claim, the amendment violates the Equal Protection Clause because it only allows a few companies to operate the casinos, and he claims the barrier doesn’t even give him a chance to apply to be a casino operator.

The court ruled Kinsey’s argument is enough to overcome the trial court’s dismissal of the case before he has a chance to make his arguments.What others are clicking on: