INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) - Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert is betting on the success of a proposed ballot initiative that would put casinos in several Ohio cities.

Gilbert, a chief investor in the proposal, said Wednesday that an initiative to collect more than 400,000 signatures required to put the issue on the November ballot is nearly complete. The signatures are due July 1.

The proposal would place casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati and Columbus.

Gilbert says Pennsylvania casino operator Penn National Gaming Inc. has no intention of postponing its campaign until 2010, despite recent reports of a possible delay.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland opposes the plan. Several pro-casino ballot initiatives have been rejected by Ohio voters in recent years.

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