The effort to bring casino gambling to Ohio was approved Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. 

A proposal to allow casinos in four Ohio cities, including Columbus, passed with 91 percent of precincts reporting, after an expensive campaign that focused on bringing jobs to the state.

WEB EXTRA:  Election Results  

It was the fifth attempt in 20 years to open the state to some new form of gambling, this time with casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.
     
All previous gambling issues failed.

If approve, Ohio would become the 39th state to legalize casinos if the measure were approved and would join neighboring casino states Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Issue 1: Veteran Bonuses Pass Easily

Ohio voters have opened their wallets to veterans, and on Tuesday easily approved bonuses of up to $1,000 for those who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq.
    
Voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing $200 million in bonds to be issued to pay for the bonuses, which will amount to $100 a month up to $1,000.

With 57 percent of precincts reporting, Issue 1 is passing 72 percent to 28 percent.

Veterans who served outside war zones during those conflicts will get $50 a month up to $500. Family members may also apply for a death benefit of $5,000, which will be based on an application process.
     
This marks the first time the state will pay bonuses for a war that hasn't ended, but Ohio has paid similar veterans' bonuses throughout history.

Issue 2: Livestock Standards

A ballot issue creating a new board that oversees livestock care was approved by 65 percent of voters, with 54 percent of precincts reporting.

The issue was intended to thwart efforts by the Humane Society of the United States to outlaw holding sows, hens and veal calves in cramped cages or crates.

Michael Markarian, the Humane Society's chief operating officer, said the group will return to Ohio with a future ballot measure that protects animals.

"By packaging Issue 2 as a pro-animal and pro-food safety measure, the factory farming interests really did everything they could to ensure its passage," he said. "We never really viewed it as a poisonous measure but we viewed it as an empty one, because it doesn't achieve any reforms for animal welfare."
     
Large farm operators mounted a $4 million campaign to pass the issue, which was backed by Gov. Ted Strickland, while environmental, animal rights and other activists fought it mostly through the press and the Internet.

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