Casino proposals tend to produce strange alliances, and this year's Issue 3 is no exception.

Supporters include the all-Democrat Cleveland City Council and former Ohio Republican Chairman Robert T. Bennett. Among the opponents are the conservative Citizens for Community Values of Cincinnati and ProgressOhio, a liberal advocacy group.

This year's casino campaign hasn't exactly upended the coalitions that formed on both sides of failed gambling measures in 2006 and 2008, but it has produced a couple of notable defections.

The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, which was neutral in 2006 and opposed to a casino measure in 2008, is a prominent supporter of Issue 3. NAACP chapters in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, which either opposed or stayed on the sidelines of the two prior campaigns, have endorsed this year's measure. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory also is a first-time backer.

Issue 3 opponents aren't able to point to prominent supporters of previous measures who switched to the "no" side this year. But they said the old coalition -- made up of religious leaders, most statewide elected officials, good-government groups and small-business advocates -- is standing strong against the current proposal.

"The people we've been communicating with have stayed pretty tightly opposed," said Melanie Elsey of Vote No Casinos, which also fought the 2006 and 2008 gambling measures. "We still have a strong concern with what this will do to families and individuals in terms of addictions and other problems."

The biggest shift this year is support from the Fraternal Order of Police and some urban organizations and leaders.

The police union was swayed by promises of casino taxes for cities and counties -- which employ the vast majority of its members -- and a dedicated funding source for police training statewide.

Its support might make the difference in this year's campaign, said state Sen. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican who has supported gambling in Ohio but opposes Issue 3.

"I think those little ads with the cops are pretty damned effective," Seitz said.

The union's secretary/treasurer, Mark Drum, said this year's proposal is far better written than prior gambling issues and guarantees funding for local communities.

"I do think we have a strong voice, and (voters) listen to that," Drum said.

Issue 3 would place casinos in the downtowns of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. The 2006 measure would have allowed slot machines at racetracks, which are mostly in suburban areas, and two locations in downtown Cleveland. The 2008 proposal would have authorized a single casino in rural Clinton County.

Urban groups and leaders cited Issue 3's potential to create jobs in downtowns and reverse the trend toward higher unemployment.

In announcing the Columbus NAACP's endorsement of the measure, chapter President Noel Williams noted that unemployment statewide is approaching 12 percent and the figure is roughly twice that in minority communities.

The local NAACP is among the few organizations in central Ohio to support this year's proposed constitutional amendment. Most of the area's leading business groups, including the Columbus Partnership and the Columbus Chamber, oppose the measure, as they have previous gambling issues. This is the first issue that would place a casino in central Ohio.

Although the mayors of the other three casino cities all support Issue 3, Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman has not taken a position. His spokesman, Dan Williamson, said Coleman is being lobbied by both sides.

"I know there's a lot of interest out there among the interested parties, but I don't think it's more than any other issue," Williamson said.

The endorsement sweepstakes might be a big deal for partisans on both sides of the ballot measure, but it's not likely to make a huge difference with voters, said Paul Beck, an Ohio State University political-science professor.

"There's probably a significant number of voters (that) will relate to the issue on (a gut) level right away," Beck said. "They don't need to know who's endorsing on both sides."

jnash@dispatch.com

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• Tonight, Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Rob Walgate, vice president of the Ohio Roundtable, will field questions about Issue 3 from a five-student panel representing colleges across Ohio. The hourlong debate, originating from Kent State University, will air at 10 p.m. on ONN-TV. • Learn about all the races and issues on the Nov. 3 ballot at Dispatch.com/votersguide.