Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downturn have approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades.

Tuesday's vote is a significant victory for Penn National Gaming Inc. and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

They spent nearly $35 million to promote four casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo.

Unemployment in Ohio has topped 10 percent. A study commissioned by the campaign predicted nearly 40,000 jobs and $4 billion in economic impact.

Voters approved amending the Ohio Constitution with details on where casinos could be built and how to distribute generated tax revenues to various agencies.

With 91 percent of precincts reporting, the question passed 53 percent to 47 percent.