Racetrack slots were sidelined by a high court decision Monday, potentially throwing the state budget off balance by nearly $1 billion and short-circuiting preparations that were well under way.

A story from the AP says, the ruling means video lottery terminals estimated to raise between $850 million and $933 million for public schools are likely on hold for at least 13 months.

In a 6-1 ruling, the high court ruled in favor of LetOhioVote.org, a committee of three private citizens that seeks to put the question on the November 2010 ballot. The group challenged Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's rejection of its petitions and won.

The court ordered Brunner to accept the group's petitions, allowing the referendum process to go forward.

Spokesman Carlo LoParo said petitions would be re-submitted Monday. The court froze slots implementation for 90 days to allow the group to collect the necessary number of signatures _ 6 percent of voters in the last gubernatorial race _ to go to the ballot.

If they succeed, the machines would be on hold until voters decide the question. LoParo said he is virtually certain enough signatures can be gathered by the deadline.